If you would like some ideas to boost your immune system, feel healthier and manage stress. I would love to share with you what I personally went through and I can tell you what helped me.  Email me at stayhealthy101.com

Also, visit my website at www.ahealthcafe.com/danalapaglia

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my own formula. Whatever product you use, I recommend taking 4 g daily of elderberry extract in conjunction with the vitamin C, propolis and zinc.

Vitamin A: Initial doses as high as 100,000 units daily can be very beneficial. The dose should then be dropped back to 10,000 to 25,000 IU daily to avoid problems with toxicity.

Turmeric (from root): Has been used for centuries in India and China for a variety of health concerns, including boosting the immune system. To support immune health I recommend taking 200 mg per day.

Garlic: Helps to fortify the immune system. For overall health, I recommend that you consume at least a clove of garlic each day. Studies suggest that you can get similar benefits from cooked garlic—if you first let it sit out a while after peeling. When garlic is peeled an enzyme called allinase begins a series of chemical reactions that create beneficial health effects.

If you take garlic extract in liquid form, a recommended serving is 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon mixed with fruit or vegetable juice, twice daily with meals. As for garlic capsules, take 1 to 3 capsules daily, depending on your level of free-radical exposure.

More: http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/c/immune_health_recs.asp

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And:

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/the-top-20-immune-boosters.html

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One thing I do as soon as I feel a cold coming or have contact of any kind with a person who has it: garlic, echinacea, oil of oregano and lemon with honey.

I do drink an echinacea tea with honey and lemon everyday too, and have garlic as often as possible ( garlic ... followed by a leaf of parsley ).

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Thanks Elena for always being there with advice. I appreciate the advise and you! jean

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Jean.

Helen - apple cider vinegar mixed with grapefruit seed extract, or separate?

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Natural Virus Killers Ease Flu Suffering

 Sometimes there's not much that can be done to prevent getting sick, so the challenge is getting through it with as little misery as possible. Information on how to treat the miserable symptoms produced by viruses so your body can heal faster comes from Jamison Starbuck, ND, a naturopathic physician, practicing in Missoula, Montana.

Viruses are the tiniest life form in existence -- smaller, even, than a single cell. However their impact is huge as they are responsible for various infectious illnesses or diseases, from the common cold to chicken pox to much deadlier ones including HIV.

Natural medications are great at helping the body gear up to fight viruses, says Dr. Starbuck. They work by revving up the white blood cells of the immune system to target the bad guys causing the symptoms, boosting antibody production to encourage it to stop replicating. And, like pharmaceuticals, natural medicines can ease symptoms.

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IMMUNE BOOSTING

Echinacea is high on Dr. Starbuck's list for treating viruses. This common immune booster comes in tea, capsules and tincture. Dr. Starbuck recommends the tincture because it is generally more potent and has superior bio-availability. (Test the tincture for freshness by putting a drop on your tongue -- it should create a slightly numbing feel. If not, get another bottle. A good choice is Eclectic Institute's Specific Echinacea.)

Dr. Starbuck most often prescribes Echinacea tincture to be taken by her patients at the first sign of sickness as follows: Place about 30 drops into an ounce of water... take every four hours away from meals. It's a good idea to drink additional water as well.

Dr. Starbuck often uses Echinacea in combination with other herbs, too. She advises Ligusticum porteri (also named Osha root) to soothe congested tissue and stimulate circulation, again usually prescribing its tincture form. You can find "do it yourself" anti-viral herbal formulas prepared with one or several immune-strengthening herbs in natural stores such as Whole Foods Market -- Dr. Starbuck likes the herbal mix Throat Mist for sore throats, by Wise Woman Herbals (www.wisewomanherbals.com). Take these herbs at the first sign of sickness. The sooner you catch the virus, the easier it is to beat back -- as always, under the oversight of a physician trained in natural healing.

Vitamin C does more than any other vitamin to boost immune function. Vitamin A is helpful in moistening mucus membranes in the upper respiratory tract. Note: Too much vitamin A can be toxic so Dr. Starbuck advises her patients to get beta carotene, the water soluble, precursor molecule of vitamin A, by eating foods that are high in it rather than taking vitamin A in supplement form. One way is to drink fresh carrot juice (two ounces, twice a day), or blended with fresh orange juice for a combined A/C hit. Oranges, tangerines and, in fact, orange-colored produce of any kind (including pumpkin and sweet potatoes) is helpful. You can continue vitamin therapy for two to three weeks.

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MANAGING FEVER

Fever is the body's natural weapon for killing viruses, so it's best to let it do its work. However if a fever becomes too uncomfortable for you or your child (adults get fevers far less often) or if it is sudden, higher than is typical for you when you get sick and causes bright red cheeks, it may require treatment. Be sure to alert your physician to the fever, as an intense one may require suppression and even hospitalization. Dr. Starbuck says that she often prescribes just one dose of the homeopathic substance Belladonna -- typically two pellets of 30C strength -- which frequently takes care of a high fever. However, for fevers that are low grade, persistent and dragging you down, she may prescribe the homeopathic substance Gelsemium sempervirens, also 30C strength, two pellets at one time.

KEEPING SYMPTOMS AT BAY

For a runny nose and cold, Dr. Starbuck prescribes ginger or usnea, herbs that dry out the mucus and provide antiseptic properties. She also directs her patients as follows: Vaporizing or steam will help thin out mucus and keep it flowing -- use a humidifier or simply a bowl or pan of just-boiled water to which you can add one or two drops of eucalyptus or lavender essential oil or several peppermint tea bags. Drape a towel over your head and stand over the water, to breathe in its steam, taking care to avoid burning, of course. For patients suffering from a sore throat that feels hot and dry, Dr. Starbuck prescribes slippery elm, licorice or marshmallow root, all moistening herbs. Also helpful for an inflamed throat is a cool mist humidifier.

Saline solutions, including nasal sprays, can help break up mucus. For a more exotic approach, Dr. Starbuck often prescribes treatment with the neti pot, used in the practice of ancient ayurvedic medicine. When Mehmet Oz, MD, discussed how to use one on The Oprah Winfrey Show last year, these were boosted nearly into the "trendy" category as the must-have saline irrigation system. The neti pot resembles a teapot to be filled with four ounces of saline solution and poured into one nostril, thereby forcing mucus out of the other. Dr. Starbuck often directs her patients to add a quarter teaspoon of combined Echinacea and eyebright tincture to the saline packet mix.

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GENERAL RULES

When fighting a virus, it is good to give your digestive tract a break. Avoid proteins and fats, which are hard to digest, as well as dairy products, which create mucus. Warm up by eating hot foods -- preferably soups, steamed vegetables and the like and of course, drink lots of fluids. Get plenty of sleep and don't forego exercise even now, says Dr. Starbuck. Though a hard workout will only stress your already over-stressed body, do get outside twice a day for a 15-minute relaxed walk in sunlight and fresh air.

You can protect others from your virus by washing your hands throughout the day and always after you blow your nose. Don't go to work when you are feeling sick, since you'll expose your colleagues and prolong your misery. Dr. Starbuck points out that illness will disappear faster if you take care of yourself -- instead of being sick a week or longer, you can feel better in three to five days with rest and proper natural care.

Source(s):

Jamison Starbuck, ND, a naturopathic physician practicing in Missoula, Montana.

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  It is called Immune Booster by Now corp. It is a mix of Astragulus and shitake mushroom. Works great! I take a capsule everymorning, and I sent my daughter astragulus tincture, she loves it, and it is working on her. Her immunity was really low from her listening to MD's and taking a bunch of antibiotics, I mean alot! Then she asked me why she keeps getting sicker after the antiobitics! I told her to also roast some garlic bulbs with olive oil and eat them, and how garlic is wonderful for you, my animlas take it. Apple cider vinegar--I am so glad to see it mentioned, I always keep a bottle for myself and my animals. No MDS here. I just frequent a certain health store where even a registered nurse works, they are so knowledgable and helpful.

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I have used homeopathic belladonna when my children had fever and it works very well!

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Underlying immune suppressing things may consist of Candida or other infections, and/or Ph imbalance.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/06/10/holistic-treatment-for-candida-infection.aspx?source=nl

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Every year, flu kills many thousands of Americans. This one has not killed any American yet.

To keep your immune system available for defending the body, do NOT eat a Large quantity of any ONE THING, ( like wheat , corn ) .

The Immune system has a limited capacity to identify and burn the molecules that we eat and breathe... when a large quantity of ONE material threatens to kill our body, then our immune system is kept BUSY trying to save us from the ''food'' we ate, allowing living organisms more time to find host cells to invade and begin replicating themselves.

Eat small quantities of diverse, naturally occurring materials, without eating a large quantity of anything, at any one time, so that your immune system is available for more important tasks, like marking and killing virus.

- Thomas T. Panto ( Living Proof ) 

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Whenever people around me are sick I start drinking wellness tea.  The brand that I like is by Celestial Seasons, the Echinacea Complete Care.  The recently changed their formula and it no longer has the strong eucalyptus scent.  It makes it taste better, but I think the eucalyptus helped when I was congested.

When I am sick I like to add a honey with eucalyptus to my tea.  It is called propolis.

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First sign of being really unwell I generally cut all food and drink plenty of fluids  and a light soup if hungry.  Generally honey and lemon in warm water which is highly alkalining to the body.  Lemon juice Middle Path Plants - The Miracle of the Lemon - Citrus limon  just found this on the net there are many articles about the miracle of lemons. Remember they can be acidic to teeth so as the norm dont drink them all through the day.

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Immune Boosters: Oil of Oregano vs. Echinacea

Questions about the safety of pharmaceutical drugs and vaccinations are motivating consumers to turn to alternative remedies. While prevention is key, what do you do once a viral infection has already been contracted?

Two effective immune boosters and infection-fighters are Echinacea and oil of oregano. Both have been clinically proven to provide defense against viruses and to reduce symptoms of cold and flu. Echinacea is an immune system stimulant; oregano oil acts as an immune booster as well as a natural antibiotic with antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic and antiviral properties. [...]

For the rest of the article:
http://www.thehealthyshopper.ca/enewsarticle.php

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