Do I have any other options aside from the flu vaccine? (Flu Series Post 2)

by Dr. Eric Udell

Is There a Natural Alternative to the Flu Vaccine?

 

YES! It’s called Influenzinum and you can get it at Arizona Natural Health Center or from other natural health professionals.

 

Influenzinum – Natural Protection Against the Flu

 

What is Influenzinum?

Influenzinum is a highly diluted natural preparation of the influenza vaccine that is taken orally.

Is Influenzinum effective?

Influenzinum has been used for over 150 years. There is anecdotal evidence that people taking Influenzinum are less prone to influenza. In 2009, a double-blind placebo-controlled study tested the ability of Influenzinum to prevent influenza infection in healthy Brazilian children. Of the 151 children given placebo (i.e., an inactive dummy pill), 46 experienced 3 or more episodes of flu or acute respiratory infection; only 1 of the 145 children given Influenzinum developed even a single flu episode. These medicines were found to be safe. There were no reports of adverse reactions.[1] Other similarly prepared natural medications have been found to be safe and effective in the prevention of bacterial meningitis and Leptospirosis.[2]^,[3],[4]

Is Influenzinum safe?

Yes. Based on its historical use and the lack of adverse events reported in the Brazilian study discussed above, Influenzinum appears to be safe for people of all ages.

Who should use Influenzinum?

Influenzinum is appropriate for people who have chosen not to get the flu shot, whether for personal or medical reasons, and appears to be safe when taken in addition to the conventional flu vaccine for those people who want extra protection. We cannot compare its effectiveness against the conventional vaccine, as there is not sufficient data.

How do I take Influenzinum?

Take 2 pellets and let them dissolve under the tongue one time a week for 2 consecutive weeks, then once a month through February. If you are taking a natural remedy chronically, simply take the Influenzinum at a different time of day than you take your chronic remedy.

 

Is there anything else I can do to prevent the flu?

YES! Hand washing, good quality sleep, excellent nutrition, exercise, stress reduction, and supplementation can all help protect you against the flu. Read more below.

Hand Washing

It may sound basic, but washing your hands is a powerful way to prevent the spread of cold and flu viruses. Wash your hands more often, especially before eating and after coming in contact with anyone that may be sick. Wash with soap and warm water, thoroughly rubbing for 60 seconds, and drying your hands afterward.

Be a Team Player – Stay Home

If you start to feel rundown or become downright sick, stay home. While this advice runs counter to current cultural trends, staying home from work or school is the most responsible thing you can do. By leaving the house, you expose everyone around you. Our misplaced sense of duty is a major reason why colds and flu spread like wildfire. The world will continue to exist without you for a few days—we promise! Get some well-needed rest and take care of yourself. If done early, this action can prevent a full-blown cold or flu, saving you lost work time and much suffering.

The Underrated Power of Sleep

During sleep we restore depleted energy, repair damaged tissues, power down the stress response, and reinforce our defenses. One of the most important things you can do is get adequate sleep. The immune system is not nearly as effective when we are run down and under slept, making us more likely to get sick once we are exposed to a virus.

As the holidays approach, we find many reasons to stay up late and sacrifice our sleep, but cold and flu season is the worst time of year to shortchange our sleep. The shorter days and longer nights of fall and winter are Nature’s signal to stay in bed longer and get your rest. Aim for 8-10 hours a night, depending on your individual needs and the quality of your sleep.

 Yesterday: What is the flu and is the flu vaccine effective?

Tomorrow – we’ll go over how good nutrition can help prevent colds and flus by improving our immune system and how poor nutrition can put us at increased risk for getting sick. (Keep an eye out for some yummy healthy holiday recipes!)

 

DISCLAIMER: The information and reference materials contained here are intended solely for the general information of the reader. It is not to be used for treatment purposes, but rather for discussion with the patient’s own physician. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of professional medical care. The information contained herein is neither intended to dictate what constitutes reasonable, appropriate or best care for any given health issue, nor is it intended to be used as a substitute for the independent judgment of a physician for any given health issue. The major limitation of informational resources like this newsletter is the inability to take into account the unique circumstances that define the health issues of the patient. If you have persistent health problems or if you have further questions, please consult your health care provider.

 

[1] Siqueira, C. M., Homsani, F., Veiga, V. F., Lyrio, C., Mattos, H., Passos, S. R., . . . Quaresma, C. H. (2016). Homeopathic medicines for prevention of influenza and acute respiratory tract infections in children: Blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Homeopathy, 105(1), 71-77. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2015.02.006
[2] Castro, D. & Nogueira, G. G. (1975). Use of the nosode Meningococcinum as a preventative against meningitis. Journal of the American Institute of Homeopathy, 1975 Dec 68 (4), 211-219.
[3] Mroninski C, Adriano E & Mattos G. (1998/99) Meningococcinum: Its protective effect against Meningococcal disease, Homeopathic Links, Vol 14 Winter 2001, 230-234.
[4] Bracho, G., Varela, E., Fernández, R., Ordaz, B., Marzoa, N., Menéndez, J., . . . Campa, C. (2010). Large-scale application of highly-diluted bacteria for Leptospirosis epidemic control. Homeopathy, 99(3), 156-166. doi:10.1016/j.homp.2010.05.009