The other day I was grocery shopping and staring at me from the other end of the cart, the entire time I was shopping, was a nice big ad for the flu vaccine. Honestly, I wanted to buy a permanent marker and write some facts over it. Of course, now is the time of year where advertisements for the flu vaccinations are everywhere – in public bathrooms, on posters out on sidewalks of shopping areas, and even on television shows (funny how they sneak that in there).
The truth is that when you subject yourself to the flu vaccine, you are allowing yourself to be injected with heavy metals and toxins with no guarantee you won’t get the flu. Heck, how many people do you know who have said they got the shot and then got the flu within the next 2 weeks of receiving it? Of course, this isn’t so surprising considering that the package insert that comes with the vaccine states, “there have been no controlled trials adequately demonstrating a decrease in influenza disease after vaccination with FLULAVAL(FLULAVAL package insert – photo included at the bottom of this post).”
Even more disturbing is the fact that flu vaccines DO STILL CONTAIN MERCURY! As unbelievable as this may seem, it is confirmed in an official document from the New York State Health Department (paragraph 3). AND in case you don’t know why this is insane, see this list of studies on Thimerosal (mercury) in vaccines. This is why natural flu prevention is key.
Natural flu prevention is actually quite easy if you follow these simple steps.
Everything mentioned below are practices that I use with my own family. When applicable, I have included affiliate links for what I use. These links don’t cost you anything extra, but they do give back a small percentage to Raising Natural Kids, which goes to the upkeep and maintenance of this blog. Thank you so much for your support.
1. Wash your hands with soap and water throughout the day…
…especially before eating. This should be self-explanatory, but for those unsure, hand washing removes viruses and bacteria from your hands so they cannot transfer to your ears, nose or mouth where they can then enter the body.
2. Cut way down on the refined sugar.
Sugar suppresses the immune system, making it hard for the body to fight off any viruses or bacteria that may try to attack it. It’s no wonder why so many people end up sick right after Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas with all of the sugary treats involved with each of these holidays.
3. Add lots of greens to your diet.
Earth and sea greens, both provide key nutrients while also helping the body to detox out anything that may be causing stress or inflammation in the body.
4. Add a quality vitamin C to your diet.
Vitamin C both helps to prevent the flu and to lessen symptoms if you have it. According to a 1999 study, “vitamin C in megadoses administered before or after the appearance of cold and flu symptoms relieved and prevented the symptoms in the test population compared with the control group:(pubmed). In addition, it has been found that vitamin C, together with Red Ginseng, “increase immune cell activity and decrease lung inflammation induced by influenza A virus/H1N1 infection”(pubmed).
Please note that not all vitamin C is created equal. Make sure that the vitamin C you purchase is plant-based and NOT ascorbic acid. “Ascorbic acid is an isolate of naturally occurring vitamin C. In addition to ascorbic acid, vitamin C must include rutin, bioflavonoids, Factor K, Factor J, Factor P, and other components. If any of these parts are missing, there is no vitamin C, no vitamin activity. When some of them are present, the body will draw on its own stores to try and make up the differences, so that the whole vitamin may be present. Only then will vitamin activity take place, provided that all other conditions and co-factors are present. The ascorbic acid you buy at the grocery store every few weeks, thinking you are buying Vitamin C, is just a chemical copy of naturally occurring ascorbic acid, which itself is still only a fraction of the actual Vitamin C”(The Doctor Within).
C From Nature
I use a great plant-based vitamin C that comes in capsules. My older kids swallow them and I open the capsule and put the contents in a green drink with lemon water for my four year old. This is it: C From Nature If you have never purchased from this online superfood store before, you’ll need a referral code: raisingnaturalkids. If you spend more than $75 on your first order, this code will give you $50 off the order.
5. Add a quality vitamin D to your diet.
There are many studies indicating that vitamin D helps with the prevention of both the flu and respiratory illness in general. This includes supplementing pregnant mothers to protect their newborns. You can check some of the studies out HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE. I like Carlson’s D drops as I add them to my kids’ green drink each morning.
6. Use homeopathic prevention.
The homeopathic, Influenzinum, can be taken as a preventative. Take two to three pellets at one time, once a week under the tongue. If you do come down with flu-like symptoms, take Oscillococcinum at the very first signs of it. This has been shown to decrease the severity and length of the symptoms. In fact, it works so well, that the medical community can’t deny it as you’ll find it in most pharmacies. (Stores seem to run out of Influenzinum quickly, so you may need to search for it. If you can’t find it, the Triple Flu Defense is another great option. You’ll have to search their website to find a location that sells it near you).
7. Use an herbal immune booster.
Many herbal combinations are designed to prevent illness. Most combinations include elderberry and/or echinacea. “Elderberries are an excellent general immune system booster. The berries contain chemical compounds called anthocyanidins, which are known to have immunostimulant effects. Elderberry extract has been shown to be a safe, efficient and cost-effective treatment for both cold and flu symptoms”(Dr. Axe). Echinacea increases the number of white blood cells, which fight infections. I prefer to use elderberry for a general preventative and to add echinacea when symptoms start to appear.
Some herbal combinations to consider (you only need one!): Immune Shield (you’ll need a referral code for your first time – raisingnaturalkids), Immune Builder (this is for kids with weak immunity already), plain elderberry (usually enough on its own). Many people make their own elderberry syrup. I am not one of those people but feel free to send me some if you are :).
8. Invest in an essential oil blend aimed at increasing immunity.
Many blends work well for immunity. Some companies will claim that their blend and oils are the best; this isn’t true as there are many great blends and companies. Often times, scents can be individual. If there is an oil you don’t like the smell of at any particular moment, it may not be what your body needs at that time. As far as the top immune boosting, germ-killing essential oils, here they are: tea tree, lemon, rosemary, frankincense, clove and cinnamon. Many immune boosting blends may also contain peppermint and/or eucalyptus.
If you are an adult you can use a blend that contains peppermint and eucalyptus. If it’s for a child under 10, don’t. For a full explanation see Essential Oil Safety for Kids. I think that most readers here know someone selling oils and most likely use them themselves, so I am not going to list any particular brand or blend, but if you would like ideas, please leave a comment and I will share some.
9. Get a Chiropractic Adjustment.
Once a month for maintenance and if you feel something coming on, then sooner. Chiropractic works to prevent illness by keeping the pathways of the nervous system open and clear so that the body can coordinate all of our life functions properly. A clear nervous system allows the body to do everything from the clearing of the eustachian tubes, proper lymph gland drainage (necessary for fighting infection), immune cell production to combat bacterial infections, memory B cells copying viral infections for learned immunity and controlling fever to help expedite the killing of bacteria and the production of enzymes necessary for immunity.
Chiropractors specialize in restoring function and balance to the spine and nervous system and in turn, this allows the body to function at its optimal levels, or in state of “ease.” Without the care that a chiropractor provides, the body is stuck functioning at a lower level, and when presented with the stresses of daily life; slips or falls, accidents or injuries, work or home stress, the nervous system simply cannot keep up and this leads to dysfunction and symptoms, or a state of “dis-ease.”
As far as the ad on that grocery cart – I think it needs some updating….
Is there anything you use to prevent the flu that I didn’t mention? Have any crazy places you’ve seen ads for vaccines? Tell me about it in the comments, I’d love to hear it!
Teniesha Collins says
Love these tips!! Last year the flu shot had me sick alllll winter so I’m desperate to try ANYTHING else!
Dawn Lorenz says
I use Tripple Flu Defense each year!
Jocelyn Mercado says
Thank you! This is fantastic to have, going into back to school season. Purchased the Vitamin C and the greens powder.
Dawn Lorenz says
Awesome! How are you liking them?
Vicky S says
Great blog! Always love reading on here. Learn so much.
Sue mentioned to give a enema on the hoof & mouth blog. I agree!
Giving a enema can avoid a trip to the dreaded ER. Where, as Sue says, you may come out with more than you went in with.
In addition to the things listed below, as soon as one of mine shows signs of coming down with a cold or has flu like symptoms, I give a series of cleansing enemas over the course of a few days.
Not only does this remove harmful toxins, it cleanses and helps recovery to come on faster.
The enema is also good for reducing a fever!
The enema is easy to give. A natural home remedy. Soothes. It hydrates. Always works.
For the toddler I use a 6 or 8 oz reusable rubber enema bulb syringe. And for the older child and grown up I use the 2 quart red rubber enema bag.
Before administering any home remedies, including enemas, best to first check with your doctor for approval to give enemas.
Vicky S says
Dummy me…
I tried to go back and edit my comment. Can’t do it. So here is correction….
Not Sue on hoof and mouth disease page. Sorry. omg
She mentioned giving enema to rehydrate on the Hand, Food and Mouth Disease blog.
Hand, Food and Mouth disease should not be confused with foot (hoof) and mouth disease that affects cattle …
Sorry. omg hope no one got confused!
Jenna says
So would the Garden of Life Raw Vitamin C not be real vitamin C even though it comes from food? It says it contains Bioflavonoids, but I don’t see the other things mentioned.
Also, I’ve been wanting a good vitamin D for my children. Thank you for the recommendation.
Dawn Lorenz says
Garden of Life Raw Vitamin C looks good, though it’s not just a C. It has strains of probiotics in it, which for some is good but for others, not so much. It also says it is not intended for children,so if you want one for a child get another one.