Over the last few days, I have watched the media accelerate in alerting us to the possible shortage in the H1N1 Swine Flu vaccinations. We are being warned that the H1N1 virus will hit this winter in pandemic proportions. Many of us are quite frankly confused as to the prevenative/treatment approach for ourselves and family members. As practicing herbalist, I have been asked my opinion on this provocative issue.

Vaccinations are sometimes necessary. The elderly, persons with a compromised immune system and very young children should be protected. Caregivers are needed and are often not enough. Therefore, caregivers and educators should consider getting vaccinated. With that being said, the decision to be vaccinated should be weighed carefully. Are there sensible and easy options to protect you and your family without being vaccinated, while the choice is still ours? Sure there are, and one choice is to use an herbal approach.

Herbalism like prevention, is all about personal responsibility, responsibility to yourself and others. If you are sick, prevent others from being so by self quarantining. Most employers have viewed the H1N1 virus as a serious enough threat to encourage their employees to utilize their sick days when feeling ill. Some have even allowed employees to take days even when you have exhausted your sick time.

Prevention in this case and all other health concerns, is the most worthwhile consideration. Specifically for this flu season, building your immune system should be your utmost concern.

Herbs that build the immune system and can be taken prior to feeling ill are:

Astragulus (Astragalus Membranaceus) – A potent immune enhancer. Best taken before cold and flu season strikes, it builds the body’s resistance.

Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus Senticos) – Has anti-viral properties and boost the immune system.

Codonopsis Root (Codonopis pilosulae) – For immune deficiency and frequent infections

Schizandra Berries (Schizandra chinensis) – Boost the body’s immune function

Reishi Mushroom – (Ganoderma lucidum) – Stimulates the immune system

All of the herbs listed above can be taken as a tea or a tincture during this flu season on a preventive basis.

What to do if you are feeling ill:

Know your body and recognize the symptoms of illness. Everyone begins to feel ill in a different way; fatigue, sore throat, headache, nausea, chills, etc. The first hour of an illness setting in is most important in treating that illness. An herbal approach to treatment of the flu includes all of the following: clearing toxins and excess conditions by increasing sweating, killing germs and reducing fever, pains, stiffness and congestion.

(more…)

Cat’s claw extract and other immune system herbs are known for their healing properties, but can they do more than the basic work of helping to make your body stronger? Can they fight cancer and work as anti cancer herbs? While improving your body’s defense system is nothing to minimize as far as health benefits go, the ability to fight cancer to any degree make this herb one that demands closer examination.

A Strong Immune System

Immune system herbs help to promote overall health by keeping your body in a state where it has the ability to fight off foreign bodies that might cause illness. This is not small feat given the run down state of many peoples’ bodies today. In a society that prizes long work hours and little sleep, it is easy to forget that this physical and mental overexertion can have very real and dramatic health implications.

If taken to an extreme, then the body loses the ability to fight off illnesses that once would not have proven to be a problem. Once you add in the combined effects of poor nutrition and consistently high stress levels then you have a recipe for health problems. The human body was not made to run on the manufactured, processed foods that have become the mainstays of the American diet, and the human body was not meant to endure consistently high stress levels.

(more…)