Natural Remedies For Flu Prevention And Treatment by Anne Thomas

Flu is a common condition that usually gets us all at some point during the winter - and at other times of the year, so I thought I would put together a list of the things I do and use, using my favourite natural 'products' - essential oils and herbs.

Here are the things which are part of my routine when flu is in the air:

Flu Essential Oil Blend

I would suggest either of the following two blends to use as both a preventative and as a treatment oil:

Blend 1:
Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis) 35 drops
Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) 25 drops
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus) 25 drops
Thyme (Vulgaris or chemotype Linalol) (see below) 15 drops

Blend 2:
Lavender (Lavendula Augustifolium) 35 drops
Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) 25 drops
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus) 25 drops
Thyme (Vulgaris or chemotype Linalol) (see below) 15 drops

Blend 2 should be used by pregnant ladies and nursing mums.

The above recipes will make up approximately 5 ml of blended essential oils.

You can then use the blend in the following ways:

• 1 drop on a tissue or on your pillow
• Place 2-3 drops (1 for a child) in a bowl or sink of hot water, put a towel over your head, lean over the bowl with your eyes closed and breathe deeply through your nose for about 1 minute.
  If doing this with a child, make sure the water isn't too hot.
• Make up a massage oil of a maximum of 1 drop per ml carrier oil* (5ml ie 1 teaspoon, carrier oil with 5 drops essential oil blend, is usually adequate for most adult full body massages. For babies and very small children use 1 drop to 10ml carrier oil) and massage into as much of the body as possible. Or just rub the carrier oil and essential oil mixture into the soles of the feet twice daily. The oils will be quickly absorbed into the system through the soles of the feet.
• Add a maximum of 8 drops(1-4 for a child depending on age) to a bath and soak for around 10 minutes. Close the bathroom door so you can maximise the vapours. A chamomile bath (see under herbs) would be better for a baby.
• Add 3-4 drops to an oil burner/diffuser and allow the molecules to evaporate into the atmosphere. You can get electric diffusers which are great for children's bedrooms.
• Add around 4 drops to approx 300ml water and add to a spray bottle. Shake well with each use and spray around the room or onto work surfaces to clean/cleanse them. If you add a few drops to a small spray bottle, you could carry this around to use as a hand spray to disinfect your hands. You could use witch hazel instead of water which will increase its keeping properties.

I use a hand-wash of witch hazel, tea tree, lavender and lemon eucalyptus oils as a standard preparation when I am doing reflexology to protect my hands from picking up infections and viruses.

*Carrier oils - those most usually used are grapeseed, sunflower, olive or sweet almond oil.

Basic Properties/Information About The Oils:

Lavender (Lavendula Augustifolium)
Antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal; stimulates the immune system.
Non-toxic, non-irritant, non-sensitizing.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis)
Antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial. Rosemary has classically been used to protect against or ward off'evil spirits'.
Non-toxic, non-irritant (in dilution only), non-sensitizing. Avoid during pregnancy, epilepsy and high blood pressure

Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia)
Antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal
Non-toxic, non-irritant, some possible sensitization in some individuals.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)
Antiseptic, Anti-viral, anti-bacterial.
Non-irritant (in dilution only), non-sensitizing.

Thyme (Thymus Vulgaris)
Antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal.
For children it must be within the chemotype thyme 'linalol' - check with your supplier before you buy.
Contra-indicated in high blood pressure.
Red thyme oil, wild thyme, 'thymol' and carvacrol' type oils should be treated with care. White thyme oil is not a 'complete' oil and is often adulterated. Lemon thyme and 'linalol' types are generally less toxic, non-irritant, with less possibility of sensitization and are safer for use with children and on the skin.

Herbs For Flu

If flu is on the rounds I use a standard and very old herbal recipe as given below, or if I don't have the relevant herbs for the flu formula, I drink copious amounts of thyme tea - sometimes adding peppermint. I also love the ginger concoction.

Flu Formula:
Equal parts: Peppermint
Elder flower
Yarrow flower
Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover tightly and keep warm for 15 minutes. Then strain. The 'tea'should be drunk warm. Honey can be added if desired - also a great natural anti-biotic.
The above is a classic and extremely helpful formula for the treatment of flu. The advised way to give it is to take ½ cupful every 30 - 45 minutes until you start to sweat and then continue with 2 tablespoons every hour or two until you fall asleep. It must always be given warm - if looking after yourself, keep in a flask. When you begin to sweat freely, the fever has been broken.

The formula is very good for children and even nursing babies although you could substitute spearmint or catmint for the peppermint, as these are slightly milder in flavour, add honey (except for babies under the age of 1) and make it weaker for taste reasons.

One suggestion is that once the fever has broken, to sponge the entire body with a mixture of equal parts of apple cider vinegar and warm water - doing one part of the body at a time to keep warm.

Another classic combination that I use frequently is to combine ginger, cinnamon, cloves, lemon and honey. Chop up some ginger root, slice a lemon, add a broken cinnamon stick and a couple of cloves - if liked. Add boiling water and simmer slowly for approximately 10 minutes. Drink ½ - 1 cup every hour or so - adding honey to taste. Drink it hot.

Thyme tea is also excellent, especially where there is a cough. Add a pinch of either dried (culinary is fine) or fresh to some boiling water, let it brew and then drink. Add honey to taste if required.

Basic Properties/Information About The Herbs

Peppermint: Increases sweating and is antiseptic. Will also help to settle the stomach if the cold/flu settles there.
Elder Flowers: Increases sweating and is relaxing. You could make a hot juice drink from elderberry syrup or jam as they are rich in vitamin C. Or blackcurrant jam, jelly or syrup.
Yarrow Flowers: Increases sweating hence reducing fevers
Catnip: Promotes free perspiration. Because it promotes free perspiration and induces sleep without increasing the body temperature, it is good for using during fevers. It has been used for children's diseases for centuries with great success.
Chamomile: A simple infusion (tea) made from chamomile is soothing, very calming and absolutely harmless so can be used safely in children. Add a cupful of 'tea' to a bath to settle a fractious child. Or slowly simmer a handful of chamomile in a pan, cover your head with a towel and breathe in the vapours for a minute or so.This is very beneficial for colds, coughs, flu and lung problems.
Thyme: Antiseptic, expectorant, tonic to the immune system.

Four Thieves Vinegar
This was supposedly used in the 1630's (dates vary) by some thieves in France who seemingly managed to avoid contracting the plague whilst continuing their thieving. There are some variances in the recipe
but that below is probably what was used:
Equal parts of: rosemary, lavender, sage and thyme.
Place herbs in a jar and cover with vinegar - you could use apple cider vinegar although it's possible the French thieves used red wine vinegar.
Seal and store in a cool, dark place for about 6 weeks.
Strain into a jar, bottle or spray bottle. This can be used to clean and disinfect surfaces or you could take 1 tsp a day to help build your immunity. Herbal vinegars have a long tradition of use - they are an excellent way of preserving the properties of herbs, plus vinegar in its own right is very beneficial to health.

There are variations on the basic recipe - such as adding peppermint, lemon balm or hyssop or even chopped garlic for its antibacterial and antiseptic properties.

Obviously it goes without saying that lots of good reflexology to help to keep your immune system strong!

Copyright 2009 Anne Thomas Iyisana Reflex Therapy (Cornwall, UK)