Swine Flu Prevention

Greetings folks.

What follows is a current memo circulating to naturopaths, herbalists etc regarding swine flu. The authors name and references have been included for you to check if you wish. This is timely information and is very much worthy of your time to read through in not only preventing possible Swine Flu infection, but general influenza infections as well as the common cold and similar viral nasties that are doing the rounds this time of year. Swine flu has had lots of media attention seemigly making this a more dangerous flu. Truth is any strain of flu can be dangerous if your system is weakened or low. Back in the dark ages influenza killed plenty of folks! Prevention is key!

Prevention

There is also more you can do than the simple measure listed in the article below. Like all viruses, the more we assist our own natural mechanisms of immunity the better. Herbs such as Echinacea, Andrographis, St Johns Wort,  Garlic and ensuring you have plenty of vitamins in the system (mainly vit c and zinc) such as taking a good daily multivitamin and mineral supplement will go a long way towards helping prevent infections and should infection occur, then give your system a great chance of getting over it sooner.  Also if you have flu like symptoms, see a professional and then rest and stay away from others, this helps to prevent the spread as well.

Last resort is the pharmaceutical antiviral mediciations! If you are a person of weak constitution and have been diagnosed with Swine flu, then this is your best form of action.

If you would like a herbal tonic for flu or to help ensure against flu, see my herbal medicine page here. You can have one made and sent to you if you live in Australia.

Enjoy the article.

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.(Natural Health Care) Dip. Massage, Dip. Reflexology, NESCP, TFTCP

Swine Flu Outbreak
By Rob Santich, B.HSc., N.D., Dip. Herb
Recently the media has headlined a major health concern; namely a global outbreak of a particularly
virulent form of influenza commonly known as swine flu. According to the US Centers for Disease
Control (CDC), the human swine flu outbreak originated out of Mexico, and continues to grow in the
United States and internationally. The CDC reports numerous cases of confirmed swine influenza and a
number of hospitalisations of swine flu patients. Internationally, the situation is also considered serious,
with a number of countries reporting confirmed cases of swine flu, including New Zealand and with a
number of suspected cases in Australia.1
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that
regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low
death rates in pigs. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from
a pig in 1930.2
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza
and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing. Some people with swine flu also have
reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.2
An unusual feature of the current outbreak according to Anne Schuchat from the CDC is that the current
strain appears to contain elements from four different flu viruses, including swine flu from the US,
swine flu typically found in Asia and Europe, US bird flu and lastly, human flu.3 This current strain of the
swine virus appears to adapt readily to humans and spread amongst the community quickly. The origins
of this new strain are unknown at this time. One theory is that Asian and European strains travelled to
Mexico in migratory birds or in people, then combined with North American strains in Mexican pig
factory farms before crossing over to farm workers and from there out into the community.4
The CDC recommends the use of Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Relenza (zanamivir) for the treatment and/or
prevention of infection with swine influenza viruses.5 This is based on evidence that suggests that both
of these drugs are effective antivirals in the treatment of the classical swine flu virus. The current strain
of the swine flu virus has not been confirmed according to Anne Schuchat from the CDC.3
While there have been no confirmed cases of swine flu in Australia, we are now entering flu season and
standard preventative strategies are relevant at this time.
General prevention tips
Be careful when touching public access surfaces such as door handles, shopping trolleys, taxis, lift
buttons, remote controls, telephones etc
Alcohol wipes and gels are easy to carry and use as a disinfectant after touching public access areas
Wash hands often and try to reduce touching face, eyes and nose with unclean hands
Try to stay in good general health. Get plenty of sleep, exercise often, manage your stress levels,
drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food
Avoid close contact with people who are sick

REFERENCES
1 http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
2 http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/key_facts.htm
3 Robotham J. Sydney Morning Herald, April 29, 2009, p.1
4 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-kirby/swine-flu-outbreak—-nat_b_191408.html
5 http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/recommendations.htm

Sinusitis – Home Remedies

Hi folks.

Winter colds and flu season is coming soon and I have already got lots of good cold and flu info on here but I have yet to place a decent approach to sinusitis. This is a condition that often results in people after a cold or flu and is mainly the reason need to head off to the doctor for antibiotics which will in turn lower your immune system further.

You see whne you have a cold or flu your immune system is dealing with that mostly and other bacteria etc are free to set up house so to speak. We have loads of bacteria living in our ears, nose, mouth etc and when we are run down from a viral infection like a cold or flu we are open to a secondary infection from these bacteria. It is this bacterial infection that creates sinusitis.

Sinusistis is identified by lots of dripping from the nose or in some cases not much at all. Also, painful sinuses and headaches in these areas, fever, bodily aches and most of all yellow or greenish coloured discharge. It is this that is the give away to it being a bacterial infection as viral infection produces clear or white coloured discharge or mucus.

HOW TO BEAT SINUSITIS

• In the first instance, do not take antibiotics for a cold or flu as it will lower your resultant immune system and leave you open to secondary infection.
• Whenever you feel a cold or flu coming, take extra vitamin C and zinc. not radical amounts but a bit more than normal. Also take a good daily multivitamin/mineral/antioxidant supplement.
• Include Echinacea, Androgaphis, Olive leaf, Garlic and Astragalus in your herbal mixtures or in the herbal products you purchase as these are best for helping to build up your immune system longer term as well as boosting in the shorter term.
• Take a good probiotic, it helps the immune system generally.
• If the infection takes hold try to resist taking antibiotics. Use steam inhalation 2-3 times or more daily with a combination of Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus oil in equal amounts..around 3-6 drops of both. The steam opens up the sinus passages and both of these oils are antiseptic and antibacterial in actions.
• Drink lots of water.

In chronic cases that are dragging on, sometimes in order to stop yourself from being run down too much you may need to resort to antibiotics. If you do, MAKE SURE you take probiotics with them and the herbs and supplements mentioned above to ensure to don’t get t your immune system compromised too much. They won’t interfere with the antibiotics doing their job.

Sinusitis is something I see every year and I have helped a lot of people beat it using this simple method above. In cases of sinusitis being frequently occurring, there is usually an under lying problem which I use the NES scan and therapy for with great effect. hope this has helped you out.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.(Natural Health Care) Dip. Massage Dip. Reflexology. NESCP. ATFTCP

Nappy Rash & Teething Remedies

Hi there folks.

This one is for all the mum’s out there. You might ask why I have these two together, well one comes with the other often. It is usually when baby begins to teeth that we see those burning rashes appearing on the poor little things.

First up teething.

Chamomile tea, cooled and placed in baby’s bottle will help to soothe fractious bubs quite effectively as do homeopathic granules of chamomile ( Chamomillia ). This will also help at bedtime if settling is a problem as well. Baby’s can be given a piece of cleaned and washed Marshmallow root to chew and grind their gums on. It will be very soothing for them and aids inflammation. Make sure it is a big enough piece to prevent choking and always supervise. Chamomile is great for wind pains, cramps etc  associated with teething as well generally and also is worth remebering that it is great for cramps, bloating etc associated with tummy upsets in general..good news for the rest of the family.

Nappy Rash

Where ever possible, expose baby’s bum to the fresh air. It helps immensely in clearing the rash. A cool compress of Calendula and Chamomile or either separately can be laid on for short persiods. Simply place the leaves and flowers into a saucepan of  water and boil for around ten minutes. Allow to cool and place on a nappy and apply to baby for around 20-30 mins max then remove and allow air to dry.

Also look for ointments containing zinc, Comfrey, Calendula, Chickweed, Chamomile, Marshmallow as these will all promote fast healing of the skin and when placed on before applying the nappy, provide a great physical barrier to help prevent further burning from the urine. These are freely available in most healthfood stores in some excellent preparations. These are better to use in the first instance as early as possible to prevent the rash from going to far. If your baby has a severe rash that is not clearing within a few days of using these suggestions then you need to see a professional for something stronger. Don’t let it go for longer than 7 days as infections can set in as well as this, it is very painful for baby.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc. Dip. Mass. Dip. Reflexology. NESCP, ATFTCP

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