The Cold and the Flu

You can read Annis Newsletter in the following languages:

Hopefully all my readers have had a great summer, free from sorrow and full of gratefulness, laughter, and joy. Now the autumn is upon us, and winter is at the door, meaning the season of colds and flus is coming.

A myriad of different media have also returned from their summer vacations and are starting to report on the dramatic incidents in our every day, Afghanistan, climate changes, new possible restrictions, face masks, control, and forced vaccinations, shut downs, depressing statistics, economic uncertainty, etc. are doing their best to keep our fear alive and increasing.
If you are fearful, then your immune system function is easily reduced.
We are already getting reports of extraordinary high numbers of RS virus and other respiratory infections. RS is a cold virus, which is accompanied by breathing difficulties and is often found in children. The flu and cold viruses mutate yearly, making it very important to have a good immune system.
I personally wonder why almost all official health campaigns, minsters, etc. do not focus on or inform us about all the heathy things we can do for ourselves to strengthen our joy of life and thereby our immune system.
The best thing you can do to reject the fear, is to ensure that you personally do everything in your power to improve your immune system. You can get really far with your immune system by, without being a doormat, deciding to be grateful and friendly in your daily life, and as my grandfather always said, “only count the hours of light”.
Together with the positive thoughts, it might be a good idea to bring up other topics and perhaps reevaluate your lifestyle with a strong immune system in mind, perhaps by supplementing with a good vitamin supplement or ask yourself how your intestine system is doing. Are you perhaps suffering from digestion problems or some other discomfort? 80% of our immune system is located in the digestive system. This is also why many nutritionists are calling it our second brain. Consider if more vegetables should make it onto your dinner table or if something should be reduced or eliminated, such as gluten, sugar, and alcohol. How is your exercise regimen looking? Are you sleeping in proper surroundings?
If you get the flu, then you have likely contracted it in the last 18 – 72 hours, so take it easy, and avoid intensive sports. Keep to yourself, so you do not infect others. A flu usually takes 3 – 5 days, afterwards fatigue might linger. Especially with small children, the elderly, and people that are otherwise weakened, it may take several weeks before returning to a normal state again. In those cases, a good dietary supplement can often help provide energy and strength.
An ordinary flu epidemic usually lasts 3 months.

The diet

I remember as a child that I was served hot elderberry soup with apples when I was sick with the cold or the flu. It is a wonderful dish, that quickly got me back on my feet. Research in Israel has shown that Sambuccol (an extract from elderberries) can have a preventive effect on short term illnesses. Sambuccol supposedly works on other viruses as well. The extract from elderberry, which belongs to old-fashioned folk medicine, is called Sambucus Nigri. It is available in different health stores and is sold separately or in combination with other herbs.
With colds and flus it is important to consume plenty of water, and it is especially important if you are running a fever. Fevers with sweating leads to a loss of liquids. Do not reduce your fever, as it is one of our best defenses. Obviously if your temperature moves past 40 degrees, then you should cool down, but not by creating a draft, but rather by changing your duvet with a sheet or making sure that the room is cold in some other way.
Drink different kinds of herbal teas, for instance chamomile and linden flower, which both have a soothing effect, you may want to mix with anise, which helps with coughing, provides a good flavor, and has a mucous loosening and calming effect.
During the sickness itself your appetite is normally not that great. The best thing is a soup, preferably a chicken soup boiled with a lot of great vegetables. Chicken soup is known to have healing abilities both with flus and colds. As the Greek doctor Hippocrates said “let your food be your medicine.” A little bit of thin watered mashed potatoes or some good fruit porridge can also be of great help when you do not have much appetite.
You can strengthen your immune system through a proper diet. You may want to boost your system with a daily ginger shot. You could for instance make your own shots and then take them in the morning. Lemon and plenty of vegetables are also good for your immune system. Remember that your immune system is located in the stomach. Make sure that you are kind to your stomach and ditch the fast food, sugary treats, and too much alcohol. Eat plenty of fruits and greens, you can perhaps use your blender or run it through the food processor, add seasoning herbs to taste, a bit of ginger or whatever else your fantasy comes up with. It has become very trendy to eat green porridge in the morning. You can preferably eat a little bit of meat, which has great proteins. All of it should be as ecological as possible. Remember the fatty fish with omega 3 fatty acids, which decreases inflammation in the body and helps against anxiety, which can doll your immune system. Furthermore, it has been shown that dark chocolate of at least 70% contains antioxidants and helps with coughing, due to its content of theobromine, so you can enjoy a couple of pieces of dark chocolate daily with a clear conscience.

Dietary Supplements

• Omega 3 oil, which is extracted both from fish, but also from algae that is used a lot by vegetarians and vegans.
• It can also be a good idea to start taking a vitamin-D supplement. Vitamin D is a strong protectant, which has both a healing effect and helps control your immune system. There are vitamin-D receptors in almost all of the body’s organs, so it is incredibly important that we have enough of it in our body. Danish researchers have proven that the vitamin has a big influence on the activation and deactivation of the immune system’s T-cells. If you are in doubt as to what your levels are, then you can go to a laboratory and have it measured, at least in Spain.
  D vitamin has a kind of hormone-like effect, which is important for cell’s growth and development.
  I personally take 100 mcg daily. In some cases, where I have felt an oncoming infection have I bumped it up to 300 – 400 mcg for a couple of days, together with extra vitamin-C and Kan Jang, which quickly helps me. Some doctors, who work with complementary medicine, tend to make the dosages higher. It is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it can be overdosed. A normal D vitamin has a level of 80 – 120 nm/l.
• I do not have any real kind of documentation or proof for the following statement, but I believe that a lot of people are lacking vitamin-C. I personally take 4 grams of vitamin-C daily. However, for most people I think their need is less. If you are a smoker, then you should know that 1 cigarette steals roughly 25 mg of vitamin-C. If a flu or a cold is on its way, then you should increase your consumption of vitamin-C but remember to decrease the dosage incrementally when you feel better again.
• A supplement of selenium can also be good. It is a strong antioxidant, that strengthens the immune system.
• There are many herbal combinations, which both have a preventive and healing effect. One of the wonder products, which I am incredibly happy for, is Kan Jang. It is an herbal remedy consisting of Andrographis paniculata (kariyat), also known as “the king of bitter” and Eleutherococus sentiosus (Siberian ginseng).
  Andrographis is used a lot in Indian ayurvedic medicine, as an aid against colds. It is known to support the immune system’s functions, reduce inflammation, remove toxins, etc.
  Siberian ginseng is known for strengthening the body’s vitality and help the body, both mentally and physically.
• There are many other supplements that can help your immune system, such as garlic, which contains the compound allicin. It is a strong antioxidant, that can help you fight infections and thereby support your immune system.
• The plant Echinacea, also known as red sun hat, is among one of the most well-documented natural remedies. It is documented how Echinaforce affects the immune system and contains substances that reduce infections and help prevent the flu and colds. The plant is used by many, as a preventive measure in the winter months. Echinacea is available in drops, spray, tablets, and as a mixture combined with elderberry extract.

Tips

• Make sure that you have a stocked home pharmacy, so you can take the supplements as soon as you feel that you need them.
• If you believe that your flu is simply continuing and getting worse, then have a doctor examine you, as it may be complications with pneumonia.
• Make sure to always keep your feet warm. A pair of home-knitted woolen socks can work wonders. They provide you with warmth and isolates. Ensure that your socks are made from natural materials. There are many socks on the market, which are made from bamboo and available at an affordable price.
• I personally use a woolen scarf around my neck at the first sign of a sore throat.
• Make sure that you are not lying in an ice cold bed. Have a woolen blanket or some sort of heating element near your kidneys.
• Maintain good hygiene and wash your hands often