This is my final post regarding the flu.  In this post I'm summarizing all of my suggestions.  Please do not engage in any treatment without consulting your physician. 

~ Prevention ~

NAC, 600mg – take 1 capsule twice a day.

Vitamin D3 - 2000 – 5000IU / day.

S-Acetyl Glutathione, 200 mg (Xymogen) – 1 cap twice a day

Elderberry syrup – 1 tsp 4 times a day in water

American Ginseng, 250 mg (Vital Nutrients) – 1-2 cap twice a day

Korean Red Ginseng, 900 mg – take 1-2 capsules twice a day.

Licorice Root Extract, 400mg (Vital Nutrients) - take 1-2 capsules twice a day. Consult your physician before using if you have high blood pressure.

Homeopathic Influenzinum 30c - Take one tablet under tongue and let dissolve once a week for 4 weeks. Skip the 5th week and take one more dose the 6th week. Then take one dose a month for rest of flu season. Take away from strong odors and foods. Store away from strong odors. Do not touch pellets. [1]

Echinacea, 250mg – take one capsule 4 times a day.

Thieves oil – apply 2-5 drops to bottom of feet at night before bed.

~ While sick with the flu ~

Dr. Mitchell’s Viral Knockout tea [2]

• Cinnamon bark sticks – 2-3
• Ginger root slices 4-5
• Cardamom seeds 1 tbls

Add the above ingredients to 4 cups of water or more. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Remove from heat. Add the juice of half of a fresh- squeezed lemon. Add honey to taste. Drink 1 cup three times a day for a maximum of seven days during a bout of flu.

Also, follow the above suggestions for "prevention".

~ A final note ~

In a systemic review of the literature the authors looked at the expectation of how long a cough should last (6.5 – 9.2 days) versus the actual number of days the cough lasted, which was 17.8 days. It is during this time that most will assume something is wrong and seek medical care, which can result in antibiotic prescription. Reality and our expectations, as is demonstrated in this study, do not line up and the overuse of antibiotics during this normal recovery phase should be avoided. [3]

1. Perko, S.J., The Homeopathic Treatment of Influenza: Surviving Influenza Epidemics and Pandemics Past, Present and Future with Homeopathy. 1999: Benchmark Homeopathic Publications.
2. Yarnell, E., K. Abascal, and R. Rountree, Clinical Botanical Medicine: Revised and Expanded. 2009: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
3. Ebell, M.H., J. Lundgren, and S. Youngpairoj, How Long Does a Cough Last? Comparing Patients’ Expectations With Data From a Systematic Review of the Literature. Ann Fam Med, 2013. 11(1): p. 15.

In my ACA - Nutritional Synergy Update #9 I will begin a series of discussions on the medicinal and health benefits of various spices such as thyme, rosemary, nutmeg, oregano...and others.