Strategies for Avoiding Swine Flu

by

Jeff & Cheryl Hoard

and the

Staff of Cheryl's Herbs

Swine Flu (or “H1N1” as the Pig family would have us refer to it) approaches pandemic status as I write this.

There is no vaccine to prevent this specific strain. It takes 13 weeks from the point of swine flu discovery for one to be developed.

Typically found in pigs, swine influenza is caused by influenza type A viruses and is an acute respiratory illness that causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs.

Flu is a disease caused by the influenza virus. Humans, pigs, birds, and other animals all can be infected by influenza viruses. Typically, influenza viruses can infect only one species, so the influenza viruses of humans are different from those of pigs and birds. However, sometimes a virus can infect more than one species. For example, pigs sometimes can be infected not only with pig influenza viruses, but also with human and bird influenza viruses. Then these viruses can cozy up to one another and swap genes, creating new viruses that have a mix of genes - from human, pig, and bird viruses. Sometimes this swapping of genes allows a virus that was originally able to infect only pigs or only birds to also infect humans.

Symptoms of swine flu in people include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing, which are all symptoms of the human influenza virus. Some people have also reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,

The flu is transmitted primarily through aerosol - coughing, talking, sneezing, through the air. It can also be spread indirectly, by having someone sneeze on their hands, on a telephone, doorknob, public space - and you come into contact with something they or their germs have touched and you then touch your mouth, nose or eyes - all points of entry for the flu.

Those who are ill must stay home for at least a week so the virus dies out. Don't go to work or school, no matter what. You can shed the virus in the first few days, but after a week it should be out of your system.

To protect yourself from catching swine flu, take the same steps you would to prevent getting any cold or flu:

Wash your hands or use alcohol-based hand cleaners frequently.

Avoid contact with people with flu symptoms.

And to protect others, if you develop sneezing and coughing, be sure to use tissues to wipe your nose and cover your mouth, and to throw the tissues in the trash or toilet bowl.

Here at Cheryl’s Herbs we are all taking extra precautions during this time to assure that we don’t fall victim to this or any other illness. I’ve asked everyone to give me a list of what they are doing. You will notice many Cheryl’s Herbs products on the lists. This is because, of course, they are available to us but mostly because we think they are the best! Here’s what we’re doing.

Cheryl

Our immune system fights and successfully defends us against viruses, bacteria and other microbes on a daily basis. Now is the time to live well and keep our immune system as strong as possible. The threat of Swine Flu is just another reminder to take care of ourselves.

I have significantly increased my efforts to find more balance in my life. I tend to overextend myself by working long hours for several days in a row.  Sometimes I find myself in situations where I cannot reduce the number of work hours due to the nature of being a freelance musician where I need to accept jobs as they come (often bunched together back to back) and the demands of owning and operating my own business. Business owners are all too familiar with many hours in the workweek. It is during these heavily scheduled times that I take extra care. I practice yoga which I must say has changed my life. Since I started over a year and half ago I have noticed how much more relaxed and comfortable I am throughout the day. Tension in my back, neck and shoulders is less, I have more energy and my mood is lighter. I can physically and mentally handle the rough times with more ease. Good things snowball (actually bad things do too!) and because I have more of a sense of well-being I find the energy and will power to eat better, make sure I take the herbs I need, take the time to use essential oils in the bath or on my feet and make it a priority to do some yoga everyday. One good thing leads to another and pretty soon you’re living well!

The kind of herbs and essential oils I think are particularly important for me right now are respiratory and immune builders. A Chinese extract combination called Jade Windscreen is my favorite right now. I could choose to use just an immune builder like Lapacho or just Astragalus but the Jade Windscreen is heavy on Astragalus but also contains other herbs good to prevent respiratory problems. It seems like a good choice now with Swine Flu in the air.

Another important aspect of prevention is to have the kind of products on hand that help with the first symptoms. If you can aggressively treat the first few days of symptoms you will likely not get such a severe case of the flu. To me this is still in the spirit of prevention. You are preventing the illness from getting acute and serious. When symptoms are first noticed I think the best things to use are Dragon Gallbladder Nosepool and Clear Wind Heat. If your lungs eventually hold a lot of phlegm then you might choose Phlegm Buster. I never go anywhere with out our Sinus Mixture containing Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon & Peppermint Essential Oils. This is a good preventative as well as a comforting and clearing remedy. This makes sleeping more comfortable by placing 4-5 drops on either side of your pillow. For a more serious treatment I use about 6 drops in a steam inhalation with a towel over my head.

I absolutely love our new Hand Sanitizer and keep it close. For years Jeff & I have relied upon our Clean Spray for disinfectant around the house. We already use our natural Cheryl’s Herbs household cleaning products which are effective germ killers and smell so nice to use. Cleaning is actually a good experience!

Taking care of yourself can be quite enjoyable and fosters a positive outlook. I try to have a relaxing bath with essential oils like Frankincense, Cedarwood (Atlas), Palmarosa or Stress Mixture nearly everyday. During times of increased protection I try to also apply some drops of essential on the bottoms of my feet either in the morning or night.

Stress is one of the biggest contributing factors in illness. The beauty of some essential oils is that you may choose them just because you like the way they smell or they are relaxing but for example the ones I just mentioned above are also very strong infection fighters so you have the appeal of their beauty as well as the strength of their medicine. Stress reduces our immune function so these pleasant essential oils are a must for keeping you strong.

Having the right herbs and essential oils on hand in your house is the key to success. Most of us understand and practice this regarding Band-Aids. We always have them stocked and ready to use in advance of the injury. If you wait until you start to feel lousy to go and get some herbs, you have eliminated the opportunity to aggressively jump on your first symptoms. At this point you also need to do another errand around town like a hole in the head! Your body needs rest when you are sick.

It’s a bumpy road to go down once you get the flu so the emphasis now is all about protection, being stocked at home with the correct herbs and being aggressive at your very first symptom. These are the ways to be most successful with natural remedies.

Cheryl strongly suggests you also read: 

Aromatherapy (Essential Oils) and Herbs for SARS

Mary Kay

I’m taking Lapacho for its strong action against viruses and its immune building properties.

I’m using PawGep’s Hand Sanitizer both before and after being out in public.

I’m drinking lots of Olive Leaf Tea and Olive Leaf Liquid Extract. Olive Leaf has a great reputation for preventing or mitigating the effects of the flu.

I’m diffusing our TH Mixture into the air of my house. TH Mixture is Cheryl’s Herbs version of the historical Thieves recipe.

Finally, I also use Oregano Blend internally but very judiciously.

Maria

I definitely seem to wash my hands more often, especially after being in a public place such as the grocery store. I especially like to use Cheryl's Herbs TEA TREE SOAP & SHAMOO.

When I use public transportation I try not to grab the hand-holds very much. If I have to hold on to something I'll put my hands inside my jacket sleeves so I don't touch them directly with my hands. Carrying a good Hand Sanitizer helps too I really like PAW GEP'S HAND SANITIZER. Some times I'll rub a couple of drops of LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL on my hands instead. 

I am taking more immune boosting herbs some of my favorites include LAPACHO BARK LIQUID EXTRACT, AMERICAN GINSENG ROOT LIQUID EXTRACT, and ASTRAGALUS ROOT LIQUID EXTRACT. A tea made with LAPACHO EXTRACT POWDER does the trick too and it's easy to make. I'll dissolve about 1/4 teaspoon per cup of cold or warm water and put it in a bottle to take with me when I'm out.

I make sure I drink plenty of purified water from my Multi-pure Water Filter everyday as well as fresh fruit juices to get plenty of Vitamin C.

After getting over a recent cold I have been cleaning my house with essential oils to help get rid of germs. I like to make a spray cleaner with APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, water, and a combination of essential oils like Eucalyptus & Lavender, or Tea Tree, Niaouli, and Rosemary. I also clean the sinks and doorknobs a lot especially after having guests over.

If I start to feel a little under the weather I will take Cheryl's Herbs OREGANO BLEND it always seems to help fight off my cold or sore throat.

Ingrid

I am using Paw Gep's Hand Sanitizer profusely!

I am diffusing Pine and Eucalyptus Essential Oils in my home diffuser.

I am taking Lapacho Extract.

I am drinking LOTS of herbal teas including Cheryl's Tea which has Elder Berry which is antiviral and tastes great too!

I am also using our Detox Mixture on the bottoms of my feet.

Finally, I'm taking lots of Sea Salt Baths.

Alexa

I take Astragalus Liquid Extract several Times a day.

I've been adding more onions and garlic and fresh herbs to my diet.

I try to manage my stress levels by getting extra sleep, doing my yoga regularly and getting moderate exercise.

I use more respiratory and immune essential oils: Snake Oil Spray throughout the day and a mix of Naiouli, Chamomile and Lemon diffused at home.

Finally, I use Red Sage Jade Windscreen as a tonic formula for the immune and respiratory systems.

Maureen

I take Lapacho Extract (in powder form) on a regular basis for its strong  immune enhancing properties.

I’ve been using lots of garlic, onion and cayenne pepper in almost everything I cook.

I drink Kombucha several times a week.

I don’t consume any animal products.

I take a warm foot bath with sea salt and the Detox Mixture everyday.

I drink Yerba Mate several times a week for its high antioxidant content and immune boosting qualities.

I practice breathing exercises to keep my respiratory system strong.

I wash my hands all the time and if I can’t wash my hands, I will rub a few drops of essential oils on them: Eucalyptus, Lavender, Cedarwood, or Lemongrass.

Jeff

(These are Jeff’s instructions to himself:)

Get more sleep.

Wash your hands more often. However many times you washed your hands today, wash them one more time than that tomorrow. Read this sentence again tomorrow.

Use Paw Gep’s Hand Sanitizer. Use it often. It smells great! Have a 1 or 2 oz bottle with you at all times. Buy a 32 oz refill to always be prepared and to save money.

Drink Olive Leaf Tea. [We’ve been serving it at the shop.]

Take more Lapacho – dissolve some Lapacho Extract Powder or add a few squirts of Lapacho Liquid Extract into the Olive Leaf Tea.

Spray Lavender Spray around the house and office.

Diffuse Lavender Essential Oil throughout the house – especially in the bedroom and bathroom.

Use Clean Spray on surfaces in kitchen and bathroom. Also pay more attention to workplace surfaces – desk, keyboard, mouse, phone.

Take some Balance Vitamins.

Don’t do this:

May 1, 2009

Back To Top

 © 2009 Cheryl's Herbs. All Rights Reserved.