It looks like the flu vaccine this season has not been effective in protecting us as we had hoped. Many people have been sick with high fever and respiratory illness and the flu shot may give people some cross protection but for those at high risk (asthma, heart disease, young children), it offers little reassurance.
To prevent influenza and other viruses, I recommend herbs such as echinacea, astragalus, licorice, and propolis as well as black elderberry and olive leaf extract. The most vulnerable time for people to get ill is when they start recovering from a previous “cold”. This is when it’s easier to slip into old habits such as drinking more coffee or eating more sweets, staying up late, etc and our immune system is still sensitive enough that someone could cough or sneeze near us and another viral cycle starts all over again…Ugh!
Try some medicinal mushrooms when you start feeling better to strengthen your immunity. Cordyceps helps promote energy and endurance as well as support respiratory and immune health. The mushrooms Coriolus (turkey tail), Reishi and Maitake also help to protect and restore immune health.
Of course drink lots of fluids (cut back on caffeine and alcohol) and get plenty of sleep.
Stay healthy and get lots of sunshine (immune benefits from Vitamin D) and you’ll get through this winter with ease.
AP – The flu season is getting worse, and U.S. health officials say it’s partly because the flu vaccine doesn’t protect against most of the spreading flu bugs….