Healing Destination: Experts offer options to flu vaccinations

  What are you making of the news reports about a flu epidemic?  How can you make the best choice for yourself?  Since there are many theories in this complicated issue, I contacted healing arts practitioners who work daily with patients who ask if they should be vaccinated or not.

  I asked them what they recommend to patients who are choosing not to get vaccinated?  

Homeopathy, Nancy Herrick, PA, 510-412-9040

We do have homeopathic “vaccine” remedies. However, I look for the deep, single constitutional homeopathic remedy that fits the person and is the substance that is the most similar to them in every way. This remedy is then what they use as often as needed to stay healthy on all levels. My other approach is to recommend sound nutrition but not large amounts of supplements and powders, rather in real food: raw dairy, butter, pasture raised eggs and meat with fat on it, fermented foods, chicken soup, fish, and whole fresh vegetables. It is the “Weston Price” approach to eating as our ancestors ate. By combining these two systems, people stay healthy and develop strong immune systems.

Naturopathy, Carolyn Weisswasser, ND, 530-271-7123

There are no alternatives to the vaccine, meaning there is nothing else that provides the virus in a form that is shown to stimulate antibodies to the virus. People who are very young, old or ill should strongly consider vaccinating. Fortunately, there are medicines that have some evidence of preventing the flu: elderberry, colostrum and vitamin D. Homeopathic preparations of the H1N1 virus are now available and may be helpful for preventing the flu.

Osteopathy, Daniel Allen, DO, 530-478-5770

Optimizing health is so important: go to bed early, wear a hat and layers of clothing; eat organic, nourishing foods in season without chemicals and preservatives; love and use butter, coconut oil, bone broths, vegetables, eggs, meats, raw milk, wild seafood, whole grains, whole plain yogurt, and fresh raw juices of vegetables and fruits. Insure your body has adequate nutrition. Don't forget water. Move your body in a way that you enjoy, laugh, enjoy gratitude, love.   

Acupuncture, Sunshine Fowler, DOM, L.A.C., 530-277-6559

Acupuncture helps cells resist infections and Chinese herbs protect points of entry with anti-virals, medicinal mushrooms, qi tonics and digestive restoratives. Dietary variety and whole food multivitamins provide optimal micronutrients. Vitamin D defends against respiratory system viruses. Rest, since lack of sleep blunts a body’s response to flu by 50 percent. Avoid sugar.  Ingesting 100 grams of refined carbohydrate reduces immunity by 90 percent within 15 minutes and last two hours. Wash hands often, cough into elbows, not hands. Rub hand sanitizers until dry. Dress warmly.

Suzie Daggett publishes Insight Directory and can be reached by calling 530-265-9255 or by visiting www.insightdirectory.com.