It Could Help5 of my favorite supplements for flu season
Flu season is back, and after the last several years, there’s nothing anyone doesn’t want more than to get the flu, especially if you’ve dealt with any kind of sickness recently.
I’ve always been a proponent of building the immune system and fighting off colds and flus naturally when possible. I know my doctor is happy to help should I need it, but I’d rather protect myself and be proactive whenever possible!
There’s a ton of great supplements on the market for immunity. Here are 5 of my favorites!
1. Airborne
This is my go-to when I start feeling run down. And if I catch it early enough, there's a chance I don't get sick at all!
Ingredients include:
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Riboflavin (vitamin B2)
Magnesium (as oxide and sulfate)
Zinc (as sulfate)
Selenium (as amino acid chelate)
Manganese (as gluconate)
Sodium
Potassium
Yeast
Herbal extract blend containing: Lonicera (flower), Forsythia (fruit), Schizonepeta (aboveground parts), ginger (dried rhizome), Chinese Vitex (fruit), Isatis (root) and Echinacea (aboveground parts)
Amino acids: glutamine (as L-glutamine) and lysine (as L-lysine HCl)
2. Wellness Formula by Source Naturals
This super-blend has all kinds of things to help support your immune system. It's always convenient and cost-effective to find a supplement that has a blend of many things, so long as you're not allergic to any of the ingredients.
In has:
Vitamin A (as palmitate 4,000 IU & beta-carotene 1,000 IU)
100% Vitamin C (from ascorbic acid and zinc ascorbate)
Vitamin D-3 (as cholecalciferol)
Calcium
Zinc (as zinc citrate and ascorbate)
Selenium
Copper (as copper citrate)
Garlic Bulb
Propolis Extract
Echinacea purpurea Root Extract
Elderberry Fruit Extract
Aromatic Solomon's Seal Rhizome
Horehound Aerial Parts Extract
Olive Leaf Extract (10% oleuropein)
Andrographis Aerial Parts Extract
Isatis Root Extract
Eleuthero Root Extract
Elecampane Root
Citrus Bioflavonoid Complex
Boneset Aerial Parts Extract
Boneset Aerial Parts
Goldenseal Root Extract
Angelica Root Extract
Astragalus Root Extract
Isatis Leaf Extract
Elecampane Root Extract
Mullein Leaf Extract
Mullein Leaf
Pau D'Arco Bark Extract
Cayenne Fruit
Ginger Root Extract
Grape Seed Extract
As you can see, a ton of great stuff! See more info here.
3. Oil of Oregano
I hadn't heard about oil of oregano until a friend told me about it. The year I tried it, my husband got incredibly sick with some kind of virus, and it was the first year I didn't catch what he had.
I like to take the oil instead of the pills, because the oil can get to the back of the throat and hopefully scare away out any viruses propagating there. (I'm also a fan of gargling antiseptic mouthwash prophylactically, especially if you believe you've been exposed to a sick person or you've just been around a lot of people!)
A word of caution though: This stuff burns! The above formula contains vitamin E, but if you ever come across any that is only oil of oregano, it's recommended to mix it with some kind of other oil such as olive oil so that it's not too hot. I use the recommended 4 drops in a glass of water and chug it! Or if I'm not feeling up to ingesting it that way, I put it in some olive oil and dip bread in it. (I know, I know, kind of cheating. The best way is dropped in water!)
4. Vitamin D
I believe vitamin D is a must for general health, especially if you're dealing with any kind of autoimmune condition. In fact, my doctor will test for vitamin D whenever I see him, he believes it's that important!
Many of us are chronically deficient in vitamin D. Why do you think so many get sick in the fall and winter? I think much of it not only has to do with our diets eating more sugary and rich foods, but also our exposure to sunshine, which provides much of our natural vitamin D. Here's how much vitamin D you should take, based on weight. (Scroll down to the chart that says, "How to calculate Vitamin D dose when baseline not available.")
5. Throat Coat Tea
If I've ever dealt with a scratchy or sore throat, this has become my go-to. It soothes the sorest of sore throats! This herbal tea includes slippery elm, licorice, marshmallow root and wild cherry bark. I add honey or stevia for some extra sweetness. This company offers different varieties of this tea, including original, lemon echinacea, and others.
I hope you stay well during this flu season, and if you happen to catch something, you recover quickly! If there is any way I can support you in your health, please let me know.
To your health,
Charis
P.S. Another immune support that I am partial to is a new turmeric supplement that is up to 277 times more absorbable than normal turmeric, even more than liposomal turmeric! It's been helping people with all kinds of things, and it's helped me with intense pain and inflammation. See more info here.
I'm running a buy 2, get 1 free sale through the end of the month, 11/30. If you're interested, please send me a note at charis@itcouldhelp.com.
If you're concerned about RSV, check out the FLCCC's protocol here.