Pharmaceutical-free flu!

I have been meaning to write about this for a month!

I thought I was coming down with a cold after some teaching in Albany back in Jan. It was a Monday. The work was intense and on the flight home the 20-something guy next to me sniffled all the way from New York to Cleveland. (It was very tempting to stick a tissue under his nose and yell "blow!") I was not feeling quite right by Wed so I started my Echinachea tea, increased my vitamin C and Zinc and kept going to work. Thurs night teaching Adult Modern Dance was rough. Mostly I just felt tired and attributed it to the work and travel. Friday morning up to teach Pilates Mat class was harder. By the time I got to the studio I knew I was sick. I called off class and headed to Whole Foods. I really wanted to try to ride this one out without traditional pharmaceuticals (which give me fitful sleep and dry out my whole body) and see if it was any better than the suffering I had seen so many people around me experience. This was not a cold, it was the flu and I had it. Judging by the holes in my schedule with cancellations the prior few weeks I figured it might take me weeks to get back to 100%.

Much to my surprise I was back to work on Tues and feeling back to normal by the end of the week. Many people were surprised and wanted to know how I escaped the protracted crud. I though this might be a good thing to post! This is what I did:

Friday Morning the fever came. I took this as proof of the flu, even though the onset of the illness was slow, the fever spiked quickly. I knew Oscillococcinum is the traditional homeopathic medicine for the flu and it's really attainable now in "regular" drug stores so I got some. I picked up more herbal teas and found Umcka for cold and flu symptoms like my runny nose. It was listed as a tradition African root for these symptoms so I though I'd give it a try since there are no drug interactions. I also got a tincture of Echinachea with Goldenseal. I went home and got into bed. 

There I stayed right through until Monday. I took my doses of my herbal and homeopathic meds right on the clock. I was a chain tea dinker. Once the pot was low I had another kettle on. I took the tincture of echinachea with goldenseal 5 times a day. I slept a lot! 

What I noticed about the Umcka was that it did not completely take away my sneezing and running nose, but it reducedthe symptoms a great deal. I knew it was working on some level because when it was time for another dose my symptoms were increasing in severity. The remedies I took let me really rest, not the drug induced pass out that traditional cold remedies usually give me. I was also able to sleep at night and did not wake up with that "hangover" feeling. I was amazed at how much I was actually sleeping and every time I woke up I felt a bit better (and drank more tea.) 

By Monday I felt pretty good, though tired. I was able to stop the Ocillo, but kept up the Umcka and Echinachea and goldenseal until the bottle were gone. I also continued zinc and Vitamin C until the end of the week. By Friday I really was 100%. It was amazing. I usually end up with Bronchitis after a cold or flu and sometimes a sinus infection.

Oh yes, I also used my neti pot several times a day and did eucalyptus and peppermint inhalations immediately after each time to ease my congestion. Not to be graphic to heighten the "gross out" factor, but honestly, judging by what came out of my nasal sinuses when I used the neti pot, I am sure this saved me from a sinus infection.

Take it for what it is... just my experience. Read up on homeopathic medicine and herbal remedies. When using a neti pot make sure you always boil your water first! Use common sense. If your fever won't break, your symptoms worsen or you have new ones, things come out of your head that suggest infection then GET TO A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL!!!

As for me... I'll be going this route next to start time I get sick. Maybe above all, allowing myself to slow down, get in bed and get better, in spite of what my day planner said, may have been the greatest thing I did for my healing. (I also feel good about the fact that I did not pass my germs on to my clients, students and friends!) Think about it.

Take care of yourself. Eat well, rest well, move well, and wash your hands often. Don't get sick to begin with!