by Larraine Bishop

Created on: September 12, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

While nothing can be a cure-all for the flu, you can do some things to help prevent its onset with the following suggestions:

1. Arm yourself with knowledge. Consult your doctor, search the web, visit your local library and health food store. Gather an understanding of what the flu is and what is available to you. A good natural remedy book with basic explanations is "Prescription for Nutritional Healing" by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phylis A. Balch.

2. Use good hygiene. Wash your hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, sneezing, coughing, etc. Clean dishes, cups, glasses, and eating utensils thoroughly in hot water and soap. Use liquid colloidal silver from the health food store to help disinfect hands, face, etc. if you have to be around sick people.

3. Supply good fuel to strengthen your body. Eat a good amount of whole foods like fruits, vegetables, meat (if you are not a vegetarian), and good wholesome starches like rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes. Cut back on breads, pastas, and items containing sugar. Use dairy foods moderately. Breads, pastas, sugar, sweets, and dairy can all add to a mucus problem. Drink plenty of water. If you are a little tired of just drinking water, get inventive and add some unsweetened juices or herbal teas to stay hydrated. Ask your doctor about adding a good multiple vitamin to your diet and a little extra vitamin C and vitamin D during the winter months.

4. Try to get approximately eight hours of sleep per night. Exercise daily and spend sometime during your day thinking good thoughts picturing yourself as a healthy individual.

If you are having flu-like symptoms, here are some things that may work:

a. Stuffy nose - for a stuffy or runny nose serve up a warm cup of potato peeling broth. Clean or scrub the dirt off of unpeeled potatoes. Peel the potatoes and put the peelings in a pan with twice as much water as peelings. Add a little chicken broth flavoring and parsley to taste. Bring this to a boil and cook until the potato skins are tender. Strain off the potato skins and drink the broth.

b. Upset stomach - Liquid chlorophyll (flavored with peppermint or spearmint) is a good source to calm an upset stomach. Liquid chlorophyll is derived from the green in plants. Follow the directions on the bottle. This is usually a staple at the local health food store.

c. Sore throat - A spray of colloidal silver for a sore throat can help ease the pain. Slippery Elm lozenges are also very soothing. A gargle with a little salt water can also help.

Remember to check with your doctor before using any of the above ideas. Arm yourself with good health habits and knowledge for a winning team to fight the flu this season.

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