Natural Alternatives to Treat the Flu

The best way to prevent the flu is to keep your immune system strong. Remember that every year only 5-20% of Americans get the Flu, which means that 80-95% of all Americans do NOT get the Flu each year. You can help your body do its job
to prevent the flu by keeping it well hydrated, eating healthy foods, avoiding sugary foods, getting adequate sleep and taking these five powerful immune boosting and anti-viral supplements: Phytobiotic with Elderberry; Peak Advantage High-Potency Multi with Vitamins A,C & D; Influenzinum^TM homeopathic oral flu preventive; and Oscillococcinum^TM homeopathic flu remedy.
 
The truth is that in the worst epidemics of the world, only 20% of the population develops symptoms and only 1% or less of that group dies. Your best defense against the flu is your own immune system. The typical seasonal flu infects only 5-20% of the population (15-60 million Americans). That means that 80-95% of the population escapes untouched (240 to 285 million Americans) every year.
To Top Five Diet & Lifestyle Choices You can Make to Fight the Flu
1) Drink at least 6-8oz glasses of pure water every day. Your first defense against invading viruses is Immunoglobulin A, which is contained in the mucous membranes of your mouth, nose, throat and lungs. If you dehydrated you will be deficient in IgA.
2) Avoid white flour and white sugar because as little as 100 grams of sugar can reduce your immune resistance by as much as 50% and last for 5 hours.

3) Eat more immune boosting foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, garlic and onions.
4) Get at least 7½ hours of sleep. A frequent lack of adequate sleep raises cortisol release, which suppresses your immune system, so make sure you get plenty of sleep during the winter months.
5) Don’t stress. Stress stimulates the release of Cortisol and Adrenaline, which are both immunosuppressive. If your stress level is high and you need to calm down I recommend taking Tranquil Clarity and Optimal Vitality to calm your sympathetic nervous system and boost your immune system.
Dr. Hansen’s Top Five Supplements to Fight the Flu
1) PhytoBiotic by Vital formulations: Contains Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) (standardized to contain at least 5% anthocyanins). Elderberry has been found to be effective against multiple strains of Influenza A and B viruses. Elderberry is a neuraminidase inhibitor, like the prescription drug Tamiflu (Oseltamivir). It works by blocking the release and spread of the influenza virus within the body. To be effective it must be taken within 48 hours of the onset of the flu. Dr. Hansen recommends that this herb be taken for prevention throughout the flu season for all of his patients.
Adults: Take 2 PhytoBiotic capsules (200 mg) once daily as prevention. For active symptoms of colds, flus, coughs or sore throats, take 3 Capsules 3 times daily as soon as symptoms arise.

Children 6-24 months: give Sambucus nigra Glycerite (alcohol free) with Vitamin C, from Eclectic Institute, 1ml once daily for prevention, 1ml 4 times daily for active symptoms of the flu beginning as soon as symptoms arise.
Children 2-8 yrs old: give Sambucus nigra Glycerite (alcohol free) with Vitamin C, from Eclectic Institute, 2ml once daily for prevention, 3ml 4 times daily for active symptoms of the flu beginning as soon as symptoms arise.
2) Peak Advantage High-Potency Multi-Vitamin Mineral formula.
6 Capsules contains the following:
Vitamin A 2,500 I.U.
Vitamin C 1000 mg
Vitamin D3 400 I.U.
Adults: Take 2 capsules 3 times daily or 3 capsules twice daily with meals.
Adolescents (age 12-18): Take 1 capsule 3 times daily or 2 capsules with breakfast and 1 capsule with dinner.

Children (ages 2-12): Take 2 Nordic Berries (delicious gummy berries) twice daily with meals. Four Nordic Berries from Nordic Naturals contains: 2500 IU Vitamin A, 40 mg Vitamin C, 400 IU Vitamin D3, plus a full complement of the essential vitamins and minerals kids daily.
3) Vitamin D3. New research is showing that epidemic influenza, and even some of the viruses that cause the common cold, may be prevented by adequate doses of vitamin D, which stimulate the expression of potent anti-microbial peptides, which directly and rapidly destroy the cell walls of viruses.

Adults: Take 5000 I.U of Vitamin D3 daily.

Adolescents (ages 12-18): Take 2000 I.U of Vitamin D3 daily.

Children (age 2-11): Take 1000 I.U of Vitamin D3 daily.
Children (6mo-2yrs): Take 500 I.U of Vitamin D3 daily.
4) Influenzinum^TM 9C Homeopathic Flu Vaccine. Influenzinum^TM is prepared according to the standards of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, containing a dilution of the same three main viral strains as the conventional vaccine. However, the homeopathic preparation dilutes these strains to 1 part per billion and does not include Mercury, Squalene or any other adjuvant. This homeopathic method of preparation greatly reduces the risk of side effects. Plus the homeopathic flu remedy is dissolved in the mouth so no shots are required.
 
Adults and children ages 6 months or older: Take 3 granules (1 dose) once per week for 4 weeks at the beginning of the flu season, then take 1 additional dose 4 weeks later.
5) Oscillococcinum (os-sill-o-cox-see-num) is a homeopathic medicine developed in France more than 60 years ago by more than 10 million people annually for the treatment of flu symptoms. Oscillococcinum^TM helps stop the fever, chills, body aches and pain of the Flu within a few short hours. I have used it with dramatic results in my practice for more than 20 years.
Adults and children ages 6 months or older: Take 20-25 granules (1 inner cap full) every 6 hours as needed until fever, chills, body aches resolve. If symptoms persist for longer than 48 hours consult a physician. Dr. Hansen recommends that his patients take this medicine along with PhytoBiotic or Elderberry for optimal immune support.
Why does Dr. Hansen Rx What he does?
Because you can’t always know what you’re fighting, Dr. Hansen recommends PHYTOBIOTIC^TM to treat the symptoms of the Flu, colds, coughs, and sore throats.* This broad spectrum herbal anti-biotic is exceptionally effective. It contains a standardized extract of Elderberry (Sambucus nigra),which has been found to be effective against multiple strains of Influenza A and B viruses. Elderberry is a neuraminidase inhibitor, like the prescription drug Oseltamivir (Tamiflu). It works by blocking the release and spread of the influenza virus within the body.
PHYTOBIOTIC^TM also contains Echinacea, which has been shown to possess antiviral activity against several viruses including influenza; Andrographis, which has been shown in a double blind placebo controlled study to significantly reduce symptoms of the common cold and sinusitis, as well as time off work; Ashwaghanda for its immune enhancing properties and Goldenseal, for its potent broad spectrum anti-bacterial activity. This formulation is phenomenal. My patients love it because it works. They keep plenty of PHYTOBIOTIC^TM on hand for the whole family to take during the winter and when they have to fly on planes.
Elderberry Stops Influenza A & B Fast!
In a double blind clinical trial on patients infected with the influenza virus, 90% of the group taking Elderberry extract recovered completely from the fever, chills, body aches, and cough twice as fast as the group receiving the placebo (within 3 days rather than 7).
Elderberry disarms viruses by binding to them and preventing them from getting into the body. Flavonoids found in the berries are thought to coat the virus and inhibit the action of an enzyme called neuraminidase that otherwise would break down the cell wall membrane and allow the virus to spread. Elderberry also enhances immunity by increasing the production of special white blood cells that fight viruses and acts as a potent antioxidant.
Sources: J Int Med Res. 2004 Mar-Apr;32(2):132-40.Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections; J Altern Complement Med. 1995 Winter;1(4):361-9. Inhibition of several strains of influenza virus in vitro and reduction of symptoms by an elderberry extract (Sambucus nigra L.) during an outbreak of influenza B Panama.
Nutritional Immune Enhancers
Everyone knows that Vitamin C is essential to optimal immune activity, but now we are learning that your grandmother was right to give you Cod Liver Oil every morning as well. Research shows that Vitamins A and D in Cod liver oil may be two of the best nutritional supplement you can take to prevent the flu.
Vitamin A has an important role in immunity. It has been found to significantly reduce the rate of deaths due to the measles virus, while Vitamin D stimulates the body to make specific anti-viral peptides that may prevent the flu.
Dr. John Cannell, M.D., writing in Medical News Today, explains that a deficiency of Vitamin D during the winter may be responsible for the increase incidence of sore influenza during the winter months. Activated vitamin D3 has profound effects on human immunity by dramatically stimulating the expression of potent anti-microbial peptides, which directly and rapidly destroy the cell walls of viruses, as well as bacteria, and fungi.
Dr. Hansen’s Nutritional Rx
For all teenagers and adults, I recommend taking a high potency multi-vitamin that includes the following:
Vitamin A 2,500 I.U.
Vitamin C 1000 mg
Vitamin D3 400 I.U.
P.S. Because of recent research showing the important need for more Vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis, heart disease, cancer, and boost immunity, Dr. Hansen now recommends that adults take 5000 I.U of Vitamin D3 daily and children take 500-2000 I.U. daily.
Clinical Trials of Influenzinum for Prevention of the Flu?
In 1998 the French Society of Homeopathy conducted a survey of 23 homeopathic doctors concerning their use of Influenzinum for the prevention of the flu (Coulamy, 1998). The survey included use of Influenzinum over a 10 year period (1987-1998) in 453 patients. Results of the survey were remarkable. In approximately 90 percent of the cases no instances of the flu occurred when Influenzinum was used preventively for all ages 2 and older. In the survey, no side effects were noted in 97% of the cases, while 3% experienced mild nasal discharge. Influenzinum has been used throughout the world by millions of people for decades.
Treating Flu Symptoms
If you should get the flu, Dr. Hansen recommends taking Oscillococcinum (os-sill-o-cox-see-num) the homeopathic medicine developed in France more than 60 years ago for the treatment of flu symptoms. Oscillococcinum^TM is the number one over-the-counter flu medication in France. It has been used by more than 10 million people worldwide every year without any side-effects. It helps stop the fever, chills, body aches and pain of the Flu within a few short hours. I have used it with dramatic results in my practice for more than 20 years.
What are the Flu Sylmptoms?
The Fu generally comes on suddenly, and symptoms include fever, chills, headache, body aches, and cough. Young infants may develop croup. The most frequent complication of the flu is pneumonia. Myocarditis (inflammation of the heart) and worsening of chronic lung diseases may occur in the elderly.
Symptoms of the Flu:

• fever & chills
• headache
• body aches / soreness / extreme tiredness
• dry cough

Symptoms of the Common Cold:

• gradual onset
• sneezing
• runny or stuffy nose
• headache
• tiredness / malaise

 
Take charge of you health!
You can prevent the flu naturally by keeping your immune system healthy and strong. You can increase your chance of being a part of the 80-95% of Americans who do NOT get the flu every year by taking the positive steps listed here. You can dramatically boost your immune resistance by following these Top Ten Natural Treatment Alternatives for the Flu. Taking these positive actions every day during the flu season will help minimize your risk and optimize your total health and well-being.
If you are afraid of the mass vaccination program like millions of other intelligent Americans, you should explore your options and consider taking Influenzinum^TM instead to avoid the harmful effects of mercury, squalene, aluminum and other adjuvants which they include.
Taking these natural precautions will give your family a healthy immune advantage and peace of mind this flu season. Get prepared and keep healthy this flu season! Optimal health and vitality is your birthright. Don’t give it away and most importantly don’t let it be taken from you.
To read Dr. Hansen’s article: Should You Get the Flu Vaccine? click here.