54 January 2014 www.womanthismonth.com LIFESTYLE | wellbeing The natural way to fight the flu Our Expert: Alia Almoayed, independent nutritional therapist Alia opines that a strong immune system is the key to preventing the illness. For that, you need plenty of vitamin C-rich foods, such as green salads, fruits and vegetables. One must also ensure an alkaline body, as opposed to an acidic one. Green juice made from one fruit and lots of leafy greens every morning is her way to maintain an alkaline body environment in which viruses and bacteria cannot survive. “It is very important to keep the body hydrated with good quality water. Dehydration means circulation is slower and therefore the body will be slower at flushing out any pathogens,” she explains. But what do you do when that itchy throat and blocked nose has already showed up? The best natural remedy for the flu is raw honey (Manuka honey) mixed with apple cider vinegar and crushed garlic. Take a teaspoon of this three times a day during illness. It is very good for killing any virus or bacteria in the body. You should stop once you feel better. Young ones are frequently prone to relapses of the flu as they come into contact with other affected children at school or the playgroup. Alia says that caregivers must ensure they are doing everything to prevent it. Children should be taking a daily multivitamin to keep their system strong. Alia does not endorse the flu vaccine as she believes that the body should be able to defend itself once it is provided with all the raw materials it needs. To sum up Practical measures can help offer some protection against the flu: • Air out your home for a few minutes every day to let fresh, clean air in. • Limit close contact with sick people. • Sneeze/cough into your elbow to help keep hands clean and avoid germs from spreading. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth to curb spread of the germs. • Trash used tissues immediately. • Wash hands with soap or a hand sanitiser frequently. • Disinfect surfaces that may have been contaminated with the virus. • Feast on warm, nutritious, comfort foods and exercise regularly to strengthen your immune system. g Dehydration means circulation is slower
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