Illinois Valley News

Natural anti-viral and immune-system boosting products, available at health-food stores, provide an alternative to medications like Tamiflu. (Photo by Michelle Binker, Illinois Valley News)

Three deaths and 44 hospitalizations from H1N1 in Josephine County in four months’ time show that this outbreak is nothing to sneeze at, but those suffering with the flu should not panic because stress reduces immunity.

Dr. Margaret Philhower, an Illinois Valley naturopathic physician, offers that information and advice in “The Naturopathic Perspective: 2009 H1N1 seasonal influenza pandemic” —

Symptoms and Spread

Fever above 100°F, headache, body aches, diarrhea, nausea, runny nose, fatigue, dizziness, cough. H1N1, an influenza virus that spreads through the air from coughs and sneezes, can be picked up by touching something with the virus on it and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes.

Seek urgent medical attention if you develop any of the following:

Emergency warning signs:

• Difficulty breathing, fast-breathing, shortness of breath.
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
• Sudden dizziness.
• Bluish skin color or bluish discoloration in lips.
• Confusion or is less responsive that normal.
• Severe or persistent vomiting.
• Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough.
• Signs of dehydration (dizziness, lack of urination, etc.).
• Has seizures (eg., uncontrolled convulsions).

Limited supplies of the vaccine are being distributed to high-risk groups, including children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with chronic health conditions (such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease), and people 65 and older. Single-dose vial vaccines and flu-mist do not contain mercury.

For those not in the high-risk group, or who prefer not to get the vaccine, there are treatment alternatives to Tamiflu including natural anti-virals such as elderberry, lomatium, osha and monolaurin.

Tamiflu is made with a component from star anise, an herbal cough remedy. Garlic, green tea, honey, thyme, rosemary and yarrow are others featured in Philhower’s leaflet, “The Art of Using Natural Home Remedies.”

She recommends a hot bath on the first day of the flu to help sweat out the fever. The next few days, lukewarm baths with sea salt and/or Epsom salt help relieve aches and fever.

Rest, healthy diet, staying home while ill, and washing hands are preventative measures suggested by Philhower, along with taking vitamins A, C, D, E, zinc, selenium and American ginseng.

JoAnne Stone, of Illinois River Acupuncture, says “Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been effectively treating epidemic diseases for 5,000 years.”

She recommends this “prevention tool kit”:

• Keep warm — cover head and neck with hat/scarf.
• Diet, exercise and rest build healthy, strong Chi, help build disease resistance.
• Eat less in winter. Warm foods, root veggies, soups and stews suggested.
• Avoid dairy products.
• Sugar depletes minerals, especially calcium.
• Practice good hygiene, at home, school and in the community.
• Try leaving shoes outside to prevent bringing germs into the home.
• Avoid sharing food and drink.
• Use tea tree oil mouthwash, and cleanse nasal passages with saline solution.

Stone will answer questions about flu during the Friday, Nov. 13 ArtWalk. She will be at the Illinois Valley Safe House Alliance site beginning at 6 p.m.

Tina Haemmerlein, a Cave Junction licensed massage therapist, swears by her Ninja Red among Young Living Products. She also takes a drop each of peppermint and Thieves essential oils when she feels congested or is going out in public.

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