The avian flu rarely appeared in human populations before the 1990s, when it became a health threat in 1997. The first cases arose in Hong Kong, according to MedLine Plus, and since that time, it has appeared throughout the world. Certain people have natural antibodies; and others having had a mild case from which they recovered, are safe from catching it a second time. There are no cures for avian flu, but some herbal remedies may speed recovery. Because herbs can produce side effects, a health practitioner should supervise treatment for flu.
Step 1
Build the immune system with astragulus and garlic. Take astragulus as a tonic to help the body fight disease by creating additional immune-fighting cells in bone marrow, recommends Holistic Online. It recommends 500mg, two times daily for seven days.
Step 2
Add garlic to a flu-fighting herbal routine. Garlic has antibiotic and anti-viral properties that fight existing viruses such as bird flu, whose respiratory symptoms can settle in the lungs and cause pneumonia, adds Holistic Online. It recommends 500mg of dried garlic in capsules three times daily for five days.
Step 3
Make an herbal tea containing two cloves of raw garlic brewed in a 2 cups boiling water. Allow it to brew for 15 minutes and remove the pulp. Sweeten with honey and sip throughout the day.
Step 4
Cleanse the blood with echinacea during the flu. Echinacea is a blood purifier and stimulates the immune system, according to David Conway in his book, "The Magic of Herbs." Echinacea is available in liquid extract or powdered form. It is more potent in liquid form. Take 3ml to 5ml tincture or extract three times a day for the duration of the flu. Continue once a day for the next seven days and then stop taking it.
Step 5
Take turmeric to reduce inflammation. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin, which has been found to reduce fever and inflammation during the flu, according to the Med-Owl website. Avian flu can produce lethal affects called cytokine storms. These are the response of an out-of-balance immune system to the stimulus created by the disease. Med-Owl discusses how curcumin can reduce these effects and lessen the occurrence of these incidents. It recommends 500mg turmeric taken three times daily for the duration of the illness.
Tips and Warnings
- The herbs needed for fighting the flu are available at health food stores. If you prefer not to use fresh garlic, freeze-dried garlic is available in capsules in health food stores. Herbal treatments for avian flu can also be used successfully for any type of flu.
- All of these herbs can be taken daily, but not at the same time. Stagger the doses, every half hour to an hour. If stomach upset occurs after taking a particular herb, stop taking it immediately and consult a health practitioner. If avian flu symptoms last more than a few days or worsen over time, medical attention is necessary. Contact a health practitioner.
Things You'll Need
- Astragulus
- Fresh garlic
- Echinacea
- Turmeric
References
- HolisticOnline.com: Herbal Medicine for Flu
- "The Magic of Herbs"; David Conway; 1973
- Med-Owl.com: H5N1 Avian Flu Virus Therapy
- MedlinePlus.com Birdflu
