• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
BlackDoctor.org
Where Wellness & Culture Connect

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

  • Health Conditions
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Longevity
  • Resource Centers
    • Cancer Resource Center
    • Covid Resource Center
    • Clinical Trials Resource Center
  • Find A Doctor
  • BDO TV
Home / / Flu Alert! 5 Natural Ways To Avoid It

Flu Alert! 5 Natural Ways To Avoid It

Raw garlic on wooden background
A change from warmer to cooler outdoor temperatures can leave many people sneezing, sniffling and coughing. But instead of reaching for those medicine bottles and pills, there may be some natural and alternative ways to either avoid, or help relieve the symptoms of, common colds and the flu.

MUST READ: ASK STRAND THERAPY: How Do I Style My Young Daughter’s Hair

Celebrate great health! LIKE BlackDoctor.org on Facebook!

MUST READ: 4 Best Ways To Prevent The Flu!

Believe it or not, those annoying symptoms you’re experiencing are part of the natural healing process — evidence that the immune system is battling illness. When the body’s defenses are weakened, infections (bacteria, viruses, or fungi) are able to manifest in the body. Fighting infection is best handled by building up the strength of the whole body. Here’s how you can do so, naturally:

Eat your fruits and veggies

Eating a wide variety of fresh, wholesome foods packed with powerful vitamins and minerals is the first step to ensuring a strong immune system. Vitamins A, B6, C and E and the minerals zinc, iron, copper and selenium are critical for maintaining strength and immunity. Make sure that your diet consists of a rainbow of fruits and vegetables to ensure that you are getting all of the necessary nutrients. Supplementing your diet with a daily multivitamin will fill the gaps where your diet falls short and should be an essential part of your health regime. During cold and flu season, increase your dosage of vitamin C for added virus fighting benefits. Should you still become sick, studies have shown that the powerful antioxidants in vitamin C can reduce both the symptoms and duration of the flu.

Eat more garlic

Certain foods can give you an extra boost and should be factored into your regular eating habits. Garlic is known for its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties and can prevent infections from taking hold and spreading. A daily serving of two raw garlic cloves will provide you with the bulbous herb’s healthy benefits. Tip: To avoid offensive garlic breath, cut the cloves into smaller pieces and then swallow them with water or herbal tea. Follow with a sprig of parsley.

You May Also Like
7 Proven Ways to Cure an Upset Stomach

A mushroom a day

Mushrooms have been found to increase production and activity of white blood cells, improving your chances of fighting off infection. Both shiitake and maitake mushrooms provide the biggest immunity boost.

Drink tea

Jump-start your immune system each morning with a fresh pot of black tea. While the healthy properties in black tea have been known for centuries, a recent Harvard University study confirmed its healing effects. The study found that people who drank five cups of black tea a day for two weeks had 10 times higher levels of the cold- and virus-fighting chemical interferon than those who did not drink tea. Researchers suspect that green tea has the same effect.

Exercise it away

Exercising for 30 to 60 minutes daily can give your immune system the extra kick that it needs. A study conducted by David Nieman at Appalachian State University found that people who walked regularly for 12 weeks had half the number of colds and sore throats as people who were less active.

Exercise is also a great way to reduce stress and its harmful effects on the immune system. It has been estimated that 90 percent of illness and disease is stress related. But don’t overdo it! Too much exercise can have the opposite effect on your immune system. Exercising for more than 90 minutes a day could make you more susceptible to the flu virus.

You May Also Like
How One Woman Eliminated 50 Fibroids without Surgery!

Get some sleep!

Getting a good night’s sleep is essential for the immune system to recharge itself. An overly fatigued body doesn’t have the necessary strength to fight off infections. With eight hours a night of solid sleep, your body will be ready to face a new day and ward off pesky invaders.

Lather Up

A strong immune system should be able to combat the flu virus, but washing your hands frequently can increase your health odds even more. Use warm water and soap and avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes to prevent the virus from entering your system.

MUST READ: Financial Freedom: Are Baby Boomers Outliving Their Income?

September 24, 2012 by Brittany Gatson, BDO Staff Writer

Read Next Article

The Latest In

MS symptoms

Managing Symptoms of MS: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a persistent and devastating central nervous system illness. It is characterized by a broad spectrum of symptoms that might vary substantially across individuals. Fatigue, muscular weakness, stiffness, trouble walking, and cognitive impairment are some of the read more about Managing Symptoms of MS: A Guide for Patients and Caregivers
full body detox

The 13 Best Foods For Instant Full-Body Detox

What are the best detox foods? It can be tough to figure out just which foods will help with a successful cleanse. The trick is to understand the benefits of different choices, as well as the goals you're trying to read more about The 13 Best Foods For Instant Full-Body Detox
home remedies for acne scars

10 Natural At-Home Remedies To Clear Acne Scars

Acne. Some of our worst enemies and the one thing that everyone will encounter at least once in their lifetime. It’s inevitable, so finding the right cure for it is always at the top of everyone’s list. Running to the read more about 10 Natural At-Home Remedies To Clear Acne Scars
top diets

The Top 5 Heart-Healthy Diets of 2023

Each year, a panel of leading medical and nutrition experts works with U.S. News & World Report to review a wide range of diets and put their stamp on the ones they find to be the best healthy eating options. The panel read more about The Top 5 Heart-Healthy Diets of 2023
reasons for hair loss

10 Surprising Reasons You’re Losing Your Hair

Hair loss can occur for many reasons, but some are more obvious than others. If you’ve been losing your hair and can’t figure out why it’s happening, these 10 surprising causes could be precisely what you need to look at. read more about 10 Surprising Reasons You’re Losing Your Hair
black therapist

3 Benefits of Seeing a Black Therapist

There is new evidence that Black Americans are 20% more likely to deal with serious mental health disorders than White Americans. Meanwhile, people of color are far less likely to seek help for mental health issues than white people. So, read more about 3 Benefits of Seeing a Black Therapist

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our newsletter

Poll

Popular Posts

  • Mo’Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: “I Love Us For Real”Mo'Nique at 55: Slimmer, Happier & Wiser: "I Love Us For Real"
  • Chef Babette Davis: Making 70+ Look Simply Delicious!Chef Babette Davis: Making 70+ Look Simply Delicious!
  • Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!Taimak: The Last Dragon Lives 35+ Years Later!
  • Monica Calhoun at 51: “Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside”Monica Calhoun at 51: "Exude Beauty Inside, Manifest It Outside"
  • John David Washington: “They Tried To Use My Name Against Me”John David Washington: "They Tried To Use My Name Against Me"

Podcast

Footer

Where Wellness & Culture Connect

BDO is the world’s largest and most comprehensive online health resource specifically targeted to African Americans. BDO understands that the uniqueness of Black culture - our heritage and our traditions - plays a role in our health. BDO gives you access to innovative new approaches to the health information you need in everyday language so you can break through the disparities, gain control and live your life to its fullest.

Connect With Us

Learn More About

  • Hepatitis C
  • Diabetes
  • Sickle Cell
  • Mental Health
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise With Us
  • BlackDoctor.org Advertising and Sponsorship Policy
  • Daily Vitamina
  • TBH

Copyright © 2023, BlackDoctor, Inc. All rights reserved.