Nonpharmaceutical Interventions (NPIs) Using Naturopathic Health
Staying healthy during this cold and flu season is a challenge. This year’s flu virus seems to be specially valiant. Fear 
not, there are a variety of things we can do to ward off either getting the flu all together or severely decreasing the duration it has. The following is a list of options that you can incorporate into your daily regime to stay as healthy as possible.
Get rest as soon as possible.
If you feel unusually fatigued or notice a sore throat, headache, congestion, etc. Stop and take it easy.
Eat very lightly if you get sick.
Broth and pureed soups are a good choice specially those containing garlic, onion and ginger.
Focusing on your Vital Health.
You body’s innate ability to heal is built within. Focusing on your innate wellness verses illness or stress, has great benfits.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Staying hydrated helps clear the toxins out of the body and by adding lemon or lime juice your alter your pH level resulting in decrease inflammation.
Decrease simple sugars and fruit juices.
Sugar lowers your immune system for approximately fours hours after ingestion. Dilute fruit juice 50:50 with water.
Take vitamin supplements to boost your immune system.
Vitamin C is both immune enhancing and an anti-viral. Increase your dose though out the winter and specially if feeling sick. Dose: 500-2000mg three times daily. Vitamin A supplementation increases resistance and accelerates the recovery phase from a viral infection. Dose: 25,000-75,000IU for 3 days. (Do not consume if pregnant). Zinc is used to improve immunity and helps regulate white blood cell function. Dose: Zinc lozenge at 15-25 mg four times a day with food.
Home hydrotherapy treatment.
Consider the following treatments: therapeutic contrast shower; hyperthermia (fever) inducing bath; warm wet socks.
Herbal medicine enhancing the immune system.
Consider the following: Echinacea purpurea, Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Zingiber officinalis (ginger), Allium sativa (garlic), Osha, Astragulus, and a whole other bunch of herbs. Salt water gargle 3-6 times a day or use a herbal salt gargle with a pinch of each of powder Echinacea, myrrh, salt and cayenne.
Therapeutic use of essential oils.
For respiratory issues consider eucalyptus, thyme, rosemary, tea tree, lemon balm and bergamot in stream inhalation.
Homeopathy treatment.
The choice of which remedy to use is directly related to the symptoms that one is experiencing. Best choice for immediate treatment is oscillococcinum by Boiron. This season there are a number of specific remedies to enhance recovery.
Prevention is the key.
Viral infections are spread much more readily by direct contact than through the air. Do not share utensils or toothbrushes; wash hands frequently and laundering of clothing or bedding frequently (especially for children sharing rooms.)
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Message from Dr. Keri Brown: This year has brought many challenges and opportunities for growth. This is a challenging time for many of us on a variety of levels and your commitments to yourself for wellness does not go unnoticed. I want to thank all you all for supporting the centers endeavor to bring alternative medicine to Chaffee County.
