Using Echinacea and other preventative tips and measures to avoid getting a cold or flu.
Everyone hates getting a cold or flu but even the healthiest people are susceptible to falling ill. I will discuss the simplest ways of staying healthy and if you do feel the beginnings of a flu or cold, how you can either prevent it from getting worse or easing the symptoms.
The easiest ways of preventing colds and the flu:
- Wash your hands. This is the absolute most important one. This should be done every time before you eat. There's a reason why your mom or school teachers would always emphasize that before eating you should wash your hands. Nowadays in the news, I hear doctors emphasizing the need to wash your hands. You should also wash your hands more often if you're in close contact with people who have the cold or flu. Also, try to avoid eye, ear or nose contact with your unwashed hands.
- Take Omega 3. Whether in capsule form or from eating fish, Omega 3 should be included in your diet. It is one of the best at boosting your immune system and keeping you heealthy.
- Get plenty of sleep. When your body is well rested, your immune system remains strong. The amount of sleep you should get depends on your body's needs. Only you know how much sleep your body requires. If you're having trouble falling asleep, try a simple breathing technique I use. It works 99.9% of the time. Lie down on your back in bed in a comfortable position, breathe in slowly through your nose and breathe out slowly. Do this several times and before you know it, you will fall asleep very quickly. This technique does two things. It clears your mind of all your problems, stresses and gets your body ready for sleep.
- Exercise. Getting the correct amount of exercise boosts your immune system.
- Proper nutrition. Eating properly and at regular times maintains that your body gets the vitamins and minerals that keep the immune system strong. You may also want to supplement your diet with quality vitamins.
- Wear A 3-Layer Mask. During the Covid-19 pandemic people have had no choice but to wear a mask to prevent the spreading of this disease and to not get infected. A complimentary benefit of this mask wearing was that cold and flu cases were substantially lower than in previous years, one can say almost a non-issue. Unfortunately, one cannot expect to wear a mask at all times once the pandemic ends because, in reality, people want to return back to their normal way of living. And this is understandable!
If you do feel the symptoms of a cold, flu coming on or if you're in close contact with people who are ill you may want to consider taking Echinacea (Purple Coneflower). Forget about taking over the counter cold and flu medications because they do not work and they are expensive. In the past, Echinacea was used by North America's Native Indians to treat fevers and by early settlers to North America for treating colds and the flu. Echinacea is most effective when it is taken just when you feel symptoms of a flu or cold. By taking it at this stage, your symptoms will either disappear entirely or the symptoms will be very mild, almost unnoticeable. Taking echinacea once the cold or flu has gotten worse will not help.
If you are in close contact with sick people, you may want to take Echinacea to keep your immune system resistant to the flu or cold. I prefer using capsules from a quality manufacturer of Echinacea. However, it should not be used for a prolonged period of time because it will lose its effect of boosting your immune system and be sure to read the manufacturer's instructions.
Since the time that I wrote this article many years ago, I have stopped using Echinacea. I find that it is not very effective and there are much better natural alternatives. The key is to use what works best for you and to use these natural products right at the onset of cold or flu symptoms. Once a cold and flu has gotten hold of you nothing will work except: drink plenty of liquids, get adeqate rest and eventually you will feel better.
By following these simple tips, you will remain healthy.
