Every mom has it, a cold and flu survival kit. An arsenal of go to remedies that helps their family survive cold and flu season.
In our home we take a number of preventative measures. Then I have the tools I use before the storm and then the whole arsenal is in rotation if we end up in the eye of the storm.
I am not a doctor and this is not medical advice, it’s just one mom sharing her toolkit.
PREVENTION
Hand Washing
It’s the most important tool in fighting cold & flu. We use the PND Foaming Handsoap and water and wash for 30 seconds. We often sing a song. Don’t use antibacterial soaps which likely contain triclosan and aid in the development of Super Viruses. Wash often, wash well!
Multi Vitamin
I give both my children a daily multivitamins. My pediatrician thinks it’s a waste of money, but harmless. My Internist (an Integrative Doctor) thinks it’s worth while.
Vitamin C
Lil’ Dude & Diva get a daily dose of Vitamin C (250 mg) during the school year. I feel like it helps their immune system.
Image by Anthony Peyper - photo links to his site.
Humidifier
Lil’ Diva has been having ongoing issues with a morning cough this fall. We’ve put a humidifier in her room to help her sinus’ move any congestion and it seems to help. The extra moisture in the air is supposed to help the little hairs in the sinus’ clean better (according to Dr. Oz).
Personally I take a plethora of vitamins that help keep me healthy – more on that another day.
Neti Pot
I don’t use this for prevention, but many people do and swear by it.
Perhaps you’ve seen Dr. Oz demonstrate the Neti Pot on Oprah or now on his own show. I haven’t tried it with my kids, but have seen pictures of children using them on flckr.
Using the Neti Pot with a solution of warm salty water will help thin out mucus, clear your sinus cavity and flush out the very area were the little buggers are multiplying. While I know there are benefits to using this daily, I use mine when I’m feeling a bug come or when one has set it.
What they don’t tell you when you see it being demonstrated? The first time you use the Neti Pot it feels almost like you’ve taken a dive in the swimming pool and the water went the wrong way. The good news, you quickly get used to it.
The Neti Pot is also useful for people with Chronic Sinus Problems. Dude uses “Sinus Irrigation” for his asthma and feels that it helps (he uses the plastic bottle – it looks more like a nasal spray).
If you must use the plastic bottle, don’t feel compelled to buy the packets to add to water… simple table salt will do the trick just fine without the waste and expense.
WHEN YOU KNOW IT’S COMING
They aren’t sick yet, but you can see the signs. You have multiple children and one is sick, it’s time to give the siblings systems a little help.
Echinacea
If one child is sick and the other healthy we give echinacea to the healthy child only. My understanding is that echinacea doesn’t help once the virus has settled in – it only aids in building immunity prior to being sick. It also shouldn’t be used for more than 14 consecutive days.
Tiger Balm
If they are showing signs of congestion I will rub them down with tiger balm. It can be a little burning on sensitive skin, so I’ll use a layer of Un-Petroleum Jelly first and add the tiger balm on top. I rub the chest and glands on the neck.
Methylcobalamin B12
Image by Kristina Yamamoto - Image links.
My understanding of Methylcobalamin B12 (Melthylated B12 or MB12) is that it is Vitamin B12 that has been to enable the body to absorb vitamin B12 better, in it’s regular form B12 doesn’t readily absorb.
My first experience with MB12 was in a nasal spray. To get a nasal spray you need a prescription and a compounding pharmacy – this is the only one I know of that produces the spray.
The good news is this is now available without a prescription in a lollipop form called Revita Pop! Much easier for the kids!
The minute I get a sore throat I take the MB12. It typically instantly makes it go away, if it comes back again the next day, I take it again. I also give this to the littles when they are coming down with something.
Many people are using MB12 in their battle with autism, anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome and other maladies as well. It’s worth looking into if you have health concerns.
Look for a review and giveaway for Rivita Pop soon!
Zinc Gluconate
This is a remedy that my husband and I use, but not as consistently as other remedies and I haven’t used it for the children. Zinc is found in Cold Ease and a few other products. It’s great to take if you are going to fly and helps prevent you from getting sick if you’re around others with cold and flu. Apparently it works because it attaches itself to the same part of the cell that the virus would attach to, so if the real estate is occupied it has no place to go. Zinc may interfere with the absorption of antibiotics.
Neti Pot
When I know it’s coming – I start the irrigation. It would be better to use it daily – I just don’t have the time!
General Prevention
I have stopped using all Splenda and never give this or any sweetener to the children. I have no scientific data, I used to use splenda in my daily coffee and I would drink Diet Black Cherry Hansen’s soda everyday. It seemed that I would get every bug the kids dragged through our home, I was healthy for a week or two, sick for a week or two – seriously. Since eliminating splenda – no cold or flu.
NO MORE DENIAL – THEY ARE SICK
Black Elderberry
Apparently Black Elderberry contains an enzyme that inhibits the ability the virus to spread. There seems to be evidence to support it helps with both Influenza A & B. We use the liquid form. It actually tastes pretty good and the kids are always trying to cough so they can have some.
I was careful with Little Dude, because he has some berry allergies, he was fine with the Elderberry. Meaning the first time I gave it to him I tried a small dose during the day.
Vitamin C
When I feel a bug I start to load up on Vitamin C, I’ll also boost the children’s dosage.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
I use acetaminophen to reduce fever in for my children, and when I get headache and such. Others may opt for more natural alternatives. For the number of times we actually use Tylenol, I’m OK with it. It is so effective at relieving symptoms and easing the discomfort. I am careful not give them more than they really need.
Neti Pot
When I’m actually sick, I use the Neti Pot to help keep my sinus’ moving. I will use it multiple times a day.
Image by mybloodyself - photo links.
Tiger Balm
I keep this going until we’re healthy again.
Closing
I’m sure there are many other remedies that work for you. This is simply a compilation of what works for us.
Please remember, I am not a doctor. The information in this post is simply to share what we use in our home and what works for me. It is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor!
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{ 12 comments… add one }
Make your own nasal B-12 use a 1oz dropper bottle. drop 8 tablets of 5000mcg sublingual tablets in it. Fill it about half full of water, shake it up, and when you get the Flu, or Cold, Shake it well then just put a half dropper down each nostral, and snort it back. What destroys ANY virus is the COBALT in the B-12, which converts the Virus to water! At one time Nasal B-12 was over the counter, till a bunch of New york crooks got together with the FDA, and made a prescription drug out of it called Nascobal. It was callled Ener-B.www.popsci.com/node/22953 for full information.
MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX
What is blocking medical health and care in the United States, and the
World is The MEDICAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX! They are not interested in
Curing anything, for once they cure the Disease, the money stops! The
only thing they want to do is Doctor! Just think about it. If they Cure
Diseases, the Research money ends, The Doctoring money ends, The Drug
money ends, the Insurance money ends, the Hospital money ends, the
profits on the stocks end, The money to the Lobbyist ends, The money to
the media ends, just watch the 6:30 TV news, nothing but commercials on
Drugs, that destroy your liver! The Center for Disease Control ends,
and their 54 branch offices, The World Health Organization ends. but
you have good health, and you don’t END!Now
my Independent Research is in Respiratory Diseases, mainly the Flu and
Cold, Is there a cure, I would say it has been around for about the
last 50 years, Who developed it, why Merck did, It is called
Cyanocobalamin, you might know it as Vitamin B-12. B-12 not only cures
the Flu & Cold, It Destroys the Virus! Well how does it do that?
B-12 is mainly composed of COBALT,Heavy metal,Element 27 A Virus, most
all of them are mainly composed of Acids, a double outer shell of
PROTEIN, and a nucleic Acid Center, Protein is composed of Amino acids.
But what is acids, acids are basically Hydrogen molecules. Well why
does Hydrogen attacks every thing and destroys it. Because Hydrogen is
lonely, it only has one negative electron circling around it, and it
wants to pair up, like all the other elements are, with positive
electrons. The best way to explain this is to look at your car battery.
What creates the Electricity is the sulfuric acids attacking the Lead
and or COBALT Plates. Cobalt, lead have basically a positive charge,
and acids a negative charge, and opposites attract.This same
process does this when you take NASAL B-12 and snort it down your
nostrils, it coats the virus, virus attacks the Cobalt in the B-12 they
synthesize . and create BioelectricityRead more: http://www.brighthub.com/health/diet-nutrition/articles/52348.aspx#ixzz0XGAWohD3
I didn’t approve James response immediately because his claims sound extreme. Based on my positive experience with B12, I didn’t dismiss them completely either.
I decided to really give B12 a full test. When my symptoms of cold & flu have emerged this season I have treating exclusively with B12. That means no vitamin C, no zinc, no nothing, just B12.
I’ve followed James advice, and I’ve also used the suggested formula in a nasal spray bottle. The spray bottle is my preference, but he feels it’s more effective using the dropper. I spray 2-3 times per nostril, both sides.
I use the B12 as soon as my throat starts to get sore. The B12 typically makes the sore throat go away immediately. IF it doesn’t make the sore throat go away I dose again immediately. Sometimes that will last a day. Whenever you feel your throat start to get sore or itchy dose again.
I also notice that a few minutes after using the B12 it acts almost like an expectorant and a lot of stuff is “shall we say” brought up. I think this must be what James is referring to by “turning the virus to water”. This statement is clearly undocumented.
I can’t say what B12 does. But I can say without hesitation that it has saved me from getting sick over and over again this cold and flu season. I don’t know what I’ve been up against, but I can say I haven’t had anything develop beyond a sore throat!
By the way, your body just passes any excess B12 in your urine.
I also reviewed this course of treatment with my MD and he had no problem or cause for concern over using this treatment.
some extra tipsThere are many homeopathic remedies available for cold and flu–in children’s strength and adult. There are no side effects or contraindications with Homeopathic remedies, and we have had succes with using them starting with initial symptoms.Boiron has great blended remedies for mulitple symtoms–ie cold & flu.Also, I use the sinus rinse–be careful not to use too much salt– I smelled pickels for a whole day once.One last thing–chicken soup is sometime a miracle–the salt in the broth helps kill bacteria, the steam is clearing and there are ingredients that replicate some cold medicines that clear bronchialsSickbed
Chicken Soup1
large chicken 1 white turnip, peeled and cut into medium chunks 1 yellow
onion, cut into chunks 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into slices 3 carrots,
peeled and cut into slices 4 stalks of celery, cleaned and cut into strips/pieces
5 healthy pieces of fresh dill or at least the flower part of one stalk Put
everything into the pot with about 3-4 quarts of water. Simmer until done. Debone
the chicken, put into the refrigerator and skim off the fat.
I love my neti pot and recommend nasal irrigation all the time! No, it’s not exactly
killer party conversation but good habits w/ the sinuses can go a long way
toward good health.
I am a huge believer in natural cures, and in not jumping to meds or surgery too quickly.
However I must say that if things get to the “chronic” stage don’t mess around.
See your doctor and then if you get a ct scan make sure you know all your
options (it used to be that sinus surgery was the only option. but now there
are less invasive choices like balloon sinuplasty).
That’s my two cents. Take care everybody and keep those nasal passages clean!
Thanks for all the great ideas! Just sign up to follow you on FB & I’m already following you on Twitter. Stop by when you get a chance, I’d love some more followers on FB.
Have a great week, just emailed myself your apple crumble recipe to try this week.
No wonder comment luv wasn’t working for me, mistyped my blog address…oops!
Have you tried four thieves vinegar? You can find the recipe on my
blog. It can be had by the teaspoon, or as a salad dressing or in the
bath – REALLY good stuff. Great to add to your list!
I have not…. I’m not going to lie, it sounds a little smelly. Do you use it? Do all the other herbs mask the heavy garlic?
It does sound like a great salad dressing.
I agree with what you’re saying and your post is very informative. For me, to prevent flu, we should teach our children to practice cleanliness every time.It’s amazing to know that Black Elderberry contains an enzyme that inhibits the ability the virus to spread. There seems to be evidence to prove it helps with both Influenza A & B and can be use in liquid form . Kids will surely love it’s taste.Prevention is better than cure, so strengthen your immune system, cleanliness and strong immune system is the best tool against sickness.
People should know the importance of natural remedies,otherwise they will kill their love ones without knowing that commercial medicine destroys our liver! I prefer natural remedies than using medicine abruptly without thinking twice, if you love your children and family, you will choose the natural way, it’s better than be sorry in the end.
I agree with your tool kit against flu,yet the best tool kit is within us; it is a strong immune system.Our immune system is boost with eating well balance diet and healthy lifestyle. Yet it is also better that you have your own tool kit in your house, thank you for sharing your brilliant ideas.
.-= Rupert Collins´s last blog ..Oprah & Pure Natural Diva =-.
I am one of those that ops for a natural pain reliever but sometimes you need something stronger. I’ve used the tylenol suppositories a couple of times. That was when there was a fever that was out of control.