Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Re: another kind of sick

I haven't had a cold in a couple of years (Knock wood). Here's what I do.

First, wash your hands frequently during the cold/flu season. There are lots of viruses out there and if you touch your hand to your eye, nose or mouth they can get in that way. Many docs recommend the hand washing now.

To keep my immune system strong, I take Sambucol (get it from the health food store). It's echinacea and elderberry extract in a liquid form. The elderberry evidently clings to any virus cells and keeps them from multiplying. I take it when people around me are a hackin and a hewin, or if I feel like I'm coming down with something. If I feel that way I also take a homeopathic formula called CF Cold and Flu (also from the health food store). These two products, if taken when I first start to feel lousy, knock it out by the next day.

I also use a neti pot to flush out my sinus passages daily. It's like taking a shower in your sinuses. Flushes out any bacteria or viruses. This has prevented sinus infections for me. I had an infection once, and instead of taking antibiotics I went to a naturopath who gave me alternative treatments (like the neti pot), which wiped out the infection.

So there's hope!

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