Keeping the Flu At Bay; Dr. Merrell's Guide to Prevention

By Woodson Merrell, M.D.

(Precautionary Note: Always check with your primary care provider before using any supplement or OTC/ prescription remedy, especially if on medications, pregnant or you have a serious medical condition.)

If you don't have the flu, and want to stay healthy:

An herb based hand sanitizer has been shown to kill germs as well as alcohol based counterpartsMake a Force-Field: While most of us have the wits to steer clear of people who are wheezing and coughing, it's the invisible traces of virus they leave behind that usually get us....public transportation; any door or handle in a public place; desks; chairs, telephones spinning bikes are all potential flu breeding grounds.

At the very least, don't touch your face when you are out in public--your hands can't catch the flu, but they can bring it to your face where it finds a way into your system. Get as paranoid as your mother--use paper towels to turn off public sinks after hand washing, and when you open public bathroom doors on your way out.

Use a hand sanitizer like Purell; or I am partial to CleanWell, a thyme based hand sanitizer. The volatile oils in thyme have demonstrable anti-microbial compounds that are gentler on the skin than alcohol.

Take advantage of Mother Nature's powerful Department of Defense:  Receive the blessing of the multiple pathogen-fighting and anti-inflammatory compounds in plants by filling your tummy with at least six helpings of fruits and vegetables daily. Consider adding a fresh veggie juice to your daily diet.

Cushman's Honeybell Oranges, available only during the first few weeks of flu season.Up Your C: In particular, consume more immune-boosting vitamin C; order a box of oranges and make your own morning juice; include a spoonful of crushed ginger to increase the immune boost.

Think Transylvania--Garlic,Garlic,Garlic: Eat as much garlic as you can for its immune strengthening phyto-nutrients (including allicin, a sulphur-containing compound with anti-infective properties)--all have been shown to provide powerful defense against viruses. Try Dr. Merrell's garlic-rich Immune Boost Soup.

Research indicates Maitake Mushrooms strengthen the immune system.Rely on Ancient Chinese Secrets: Chinese and Western formulations (such as Host Defense, LifeShield Immunity and Cold Away) take advantage of the medicinal powers of foods and herbs such as Maitake, Reike and Shitake mushroom extracts, as well as the Chinese immune boosting herb astragalus and other herbs that have been known for thousands of years to bolster immune function. (See the note below for supplement purchasing resources.) These can be used once daily preventatively for a few weeks, until the epidemic subsides. 

Flush Out the Offenders: Hydration is your friend during flu season. A de-hydrated respiratory system is a breeding ground for pathogens; drink lots of non-caffeinated beverages and use a humidifier at night to keep your mucus membranes healthy and refreshed.

A beach in the Turks and Caicos, nary a flu bug in site.Jump Ship and Head South: According to Google Flu Trends, the Caribbean is practically a flu-free zone. It's no wonder since it offers plenty of Vitamin D building sun (essential to the immune system), sinus cleansing sea and nutrient packed tropical fruits. If you manage to fly down before flu season hits, you might just get off scott free.

If you are well, but taking a long flight:

Airplanes and other crowded spaces are ground zero for flu transmission. If you are going to be cheek-to-jowl with potential flu carriers, continue the "Stay Healthy" precautions (above) and...

An Airborne chaser to your latte is a quick and easy way to get a shot of immune supporting nutrients.Jack Up Your Immune System: Take an Airborne effervescent tablet when you board. These are easy to find, and pack a punch of the good stuff including 1,000 mg of Vitamin C as well as high levels of other antioxidants like Vitamins A and E; Zinc and Selenium; and immune awakening herbs like Echinacea and Ginger. 

Take a whiff of anti-microbial Tea Tree Oil every hour on a flight to kill the germs you've inhaled.Create a Barrier With Essential Oil Inhalations*: Short of traveling with a mask, which might make you seem like Typhoid Mary, consider using an anti-microbial essential oil inhalation (don't put the essential oils in your nose, simply inhale the volatile compounds wafting up from the bottle) to neutralize air-born viruses and germs. Tea Tree Oil is one of the most powerful anti-microbial substances on the planet. I recommend sniffing once in each nostril every hour. If you can't tolerate the turpentine-like aroma of tea tree oil, use essential oils of menthol, eucalyptus, rosemary or oregano--all have anti-microbial properties.

Young Living Thieves Oil is another great anti-microbial inhalation. A blend of cloves, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary, it was purportedly used by thieves in France who covered themselves with the mixture while robbing plague victims. In this case, think of it as robbing the flu of a chance to hijack your life.

*Note: Don't put the essential oils in your nose, simply inhale the volatile compounds wafting up from the bottle.

Hedge Your Bets With Flu-Fighting Oscillococcinum: Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic preparation. Much like a natural vaccination, it provides an infinitesimal dose of a non-threatening flu-like molecule that prompts the body to mount a response. The sooner you take it post-exposure the better it works, so I recommend taking one dose (one vial contains a single dose) when you step off the plane. 

If someone in your family has the flu and you don't...yet:

The prescription drug Tamiflu may help in the early days.Take Tamiflu: Ask your doctor about getting a prescription for the flu drug Tamiflu*, to take once a day for a few days. Tamiflu, which I prefer over the inhaled forms of the drug, only works if you take it maximum 48 hours after exposure. 

* A note on Tamiflu: It is unclear how effectively Tamiflu may be able to combat the numerous mutations that will undoubtedly occur to the Influenza A–based H1N1 flu. Therefore, save it for when you really need it: a) when having obvious symptoms of Influenza A (fever, headache, joint pain, fatigue, nausea, dizziness) or, b) when directly exposed, especially if prolonged, then preventive dose may be taken---one/day for one week (though new guidelines may recommend twice/day even preventively) 

Tamiflu should not be taken cavalierly on an occasional basis for prevention as it may breed resistance.

Continue taking Oscillococcinum: One vial of pellets under the tongue three times a day for the first three days after exposure will help to further increase your defenses against influenza.

Your immune system works over time, and repairs itself, while you sleep.To Protect The Body's Detox Capacity Get Plenty of Rest, Reduce Exercise Intensity and Moderate Alcohol Intake: The body needs extra energy to fight off the flu; lack of sleep, high-intensity exercise or heavy drinking pull your body's resources into recovery mode. If you've been exposed to the flu get plenty of rest, cut back on heavy workouts and drink alcohol only very moderately until the danger is past (the incubation period for the flu is anywhere from two days to one week.)

Where do you get these things? As with all recommendations on our site, the shout-outs in this story reflect our research and experience--not any financial arrangement with manufacturers (we don't get paid to tout products!) We offer the following web sites that may stock the supplements mentioned in this story: Vitahealth, Willner Chemists, Smallflower and The Natural Apothecary (see Author Affiliation).  

For Dr. Merrell's Take on the Flu Vaccine, click here.

Get the recipe for Dr. Merrell's Quick and Easy, Immune Boost Soup

What To do When You Have the Flu: Dr. Merrell's Guide to Treatment