It’s cold and flu season, and with a pandemic going on, it’s important we do our very best to take care of ourselves and our immune system. Utilizing some health tips and boosting your immune system may be the first and best defense when it comes to warding off and fighting infection of seasonal illnesses. For many, the flu vaccine simply isn’t an option. Some people may be immunocompromised, or for those who may be fighting other chronic illnesses, over the counter and even some prescription medications, and even vaccines can add unwanted stress on an already compromised body. So how does someone who would prefer not to get the Flu vaccine help their immune system stave off and fight infection? Let’s take a look at the flu and colds this season with a more integrated wellness approach. Below we’ll discuss a few natural remedies for flu season, and ways you can help stay healthy this winter.

Natural Remedies for Flu Season – The Functional Medicine Approach

They say prevention is the best way to fight the cold and flu season, and we absolutely agree. Of course you can wash your hands, avoid crowds, and take care of your overall wellness every day. When we say taking care of yourself all year long, we mean getting enough quality sleep, staying hydrated, eating a well balanced diet, and getting as much physical activity as is comfortable and safe for you personally. But what happens when you catch the dreaded cold that’s circulating the office, or you come down with the flu from heading to the post office this holiday season? 

Recent studies have observed that consuming elderberry for cold and flu symptoms has impacted the duration of a cold or flu infection by shortening the duration.

While over the counter medications may make you feel better for the short term, they tend to simply mask your symptoms. While sometimes feeling better by getting your symptoms under control can mean feeling better earlier, eating foods and practicing some of these natural remedies for flu season can help you get on top of your symptoms. By strengthening your immune system naturally, your body has a better chance of beating your cold or flu.

• Honey – Adding honey to your diet has been shown to be even more effective than many over the counter cold and flu medications. It assists in improving cough and respiratory symptoms.
• Zinc – If you feel a runny nose coming on, taking zinc might help curb the drip! Zinc lozenges are sucked on and it binds to cell receptors in the nasal-oral cavity. This inhibits undesirable entities from making contact. 
• Vitamin D3 – Vitamin D3 is another great natural flu remedy that can help the prevention of respiratory infections. Studies have linked lower Vitamin D levels to a higher susceptibility to acute respiratory infections.
• Elderberry – Some studies have shown that elderberries have shortened the recovery time for people suffering with the flu by an average of four days! Elderberry products can help alleviate coughing, fever, fatigue, and other symptoms that can leave us feeling miserable.
• Garlic – Garlic has been used in holistic health treatments dating back thousands of years. Allicin, a compound released when you crush or chop garlic, boosts your immune system and helps fight off cold and flu viruses. 
• Echinacea – Clinical trials have observed that echinacea has anti-infective properties and a reduced occurrence of virally confirmed cold episodes was found in clinical trial groups that used echinacea.
• Selenium – Another great supplement on the list of natural remedies for flu season is selenium. Selenium helps to balance and regulate the immune system. It is a key supplement in boosting your immune system to help fight off flu and cold viruses. Selenium deficiency has been observed to cause mutations in the flu virus, causing it to become more virulent. 

Vitamin C for cold and flu has symptoms and treatment has long been discussed as being effective. Recent studies however show that taking elevated doses of Vitamin C at the onset of a cold or flu infection can shorten the duration of the infection.

• Vitamin C – Recent meta analysis of studies done regarding Vitamin C and it’s efficiency in the treatment of cold and flu infections has shown that taking Vitamin C at the onset of a flu or cold infection can significantly decrease the duration of the infection.
• Medicinal Mushrooms – More and more studies are being published regarding the use of medicinal mushrooms in a variety of functional medicine therapies. In this application, medicinal mushrooms can help the immune system respond to viral infection due to Glucan found in certain types of mushroom. 

While this is just a short list of a few more common and readily available ingredients and supplements you can get to help alleviate and prevent common cold and flu infections, it’s always best to speak to your medical professional for help determining what’s best for you. At Integrated Wellness Clinic, we can help you assess your overall health and help you choose the best supplements to help you combat your infection. To book an appointment, visit our website here, or give us a call at (610) 265-0500.