FHN Complementary Medicine Monthly Newsletter December 2003
Let’s talk Flu.
With the implementation of the use of masks for the flu symptom patient coming into FHN offices , I thought it prudent to talk about some alternative approaches which help prevent the flu and deal with early onset symptoms. There are reports that the current strain is especially virulent and the vaccine may not be effective in some cases.
In addition to keeping your immune system healthy and moderation in all things during the holiday season, let’s look at two simple things that you might do to help yourself.
1. Create an internal environment that is not a conducive “host” for the Flu to take hold. The simplest way to do that is take a probiotic prophylactically.
The probiotic should be a mixture of lactobacillus acidophilus and bifido bacterium. Taken one to two times a day on an empty stomach will help populate the mucous membranes that are the site of first attachment of the flu.
2 From a Chinese standpoint, acute febrile diseases go through four stages.
The first stage is called the “wei stage”, which means defense stage. At this stage the pathogens are in the bodies superficial tissues. Symptoms would include: Fever, headache, absence of sweating, cough. Because the pathogen is only superficial the Chinese use herbs and acupuncture to disperse it through the skin and lungs. Typically the herbs will cause diaphoresis and promote lung secretions. If caught within the first 24 hour period this will many times stop the symptoms from progressing. We have a product called essential defense that does a nice job at this stage of the disease.
We wish you all a very healthy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Drs. Glenn and Julie Smith
Complementary Medicine
