My top tricks for the cold & flu season

It is not obvious these days how to support your body through an active immune response to seasonal flu, I reflected while driving through hideous traffic at 9 pm on Friday with a little paper bag full of … well … interesting goodies for a very ill friend.

I was never one to be shy of viral exposure when it came to helping a sick person, and many of my family members and friends will tell you that I cared for them through COVID-19 and some worse infectious diseases. After all, viruses, bacteria and fungi have always been around, and our immune system remains our best shield against them.

How do we best take care of it?

Do we take pharmaceutical symptom-masking drugs to feel better seemingly? In other words, do we get in the way of our immune response, or do we support our body in what it needs to do?

So, back to the goodie bag. What does an Ayurvedic practitioner/ biohacker take on a house call to a sick friend, and why? What do I have in my house for the flu season?

My four Ayurvedic products from a trusted Sri Lankan manufacturer (not available to the general public, only through prescription):

Thalisadee choorna- excellent for respiratory well-being, congestion, cough, flu, sinusitis.

Sudarshana tablets- fever, inflammation, body pains.

Yogaraja guggulu- soothing, muscle relaxant.

Neem capsules- supercharge immunity and help with clearing toxins.

Samahan tea sachets (generally available) - 14 herbs that boost your immunity and help with congestion, phlegm and digestion (which goes down during illness).

My best biohacks for flu:

European herbal teas for cold- look for herbs like thyme, linden, lungwort, mullein, sage, rosemary, chamomile, or any cold season mix. I brew them with fresh lime juice and ginger (remove the skin of both).

Mix electrolytes (from any local chemist or get better quality online) with L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) powder- I love the one by the Polish brand Visanto. This combo will put you back on your feet. Electrolytes are a must for any fever, diarrhoea or profuse sweating. They will prevent dehydration, the sole reason for many flu-related complications. You will instantly feel stronger. Vitamin C makes the taste of the electrolytes more bearable and supercharges the immune system.

Zinc and Vitamin D3- If your levels were optimal, you probably wouldn't even get sick in the first place. I trust the Visanto brand. All fat-soluble vitamins work best when taken together as a packaged deal (A + D3 + E + K2).

For zinc, liquid Ionic Zinc Concentrate works well. In capsules, zinc picolinate is said to be very bioavailable.

Pro tip: Remember to boost your copper as well when taking zinc! Some brands sell them as a combo, such as Bulletproof brand. Minerals work together in the body so sometimes random supplementation leads to more imbalance!

Olive Leaf Extract with Echinacea by NOW and Quercetin by NOW- antifungal, antiviral and anti-bacterial pharmacy of nature! These excellent free-radical scavengers boost seasonal immune function and are great as a treatment and preventative measure.

MORS Methylation Donor by Systemic Formulas- a boost of elements supporting healthy methylation and thus strengthening the body.

And, of course, sleep and rest as much as possible so the immune response can be carried out effectively. The body always tells us what it needs, so don't eat if you don't have an appetite. Sticking to light, warm meals is best if you feel hungry; soups are great! I am a big fan of bone broth or chicken soup made from a grass-fed, antibiotic-free and hormone-free, organic source.

Can I help you more? Would you like to book an Ayurvedic Consultation to address any particular symptoms or health goals? Please find the booking options in the Book Online tab on my website. A free discovery call is also available!

Was this helpful? Please share this with your loved ones and friends, so we are all ready for the cold season. Also, say hello, and tell me, what other flu treatments do you swear by?