It’s that time of year again when the weather turns cold and the advertisements of getting the flu vaccine increase. Many of us are unsure of what to do. It’s time to get informed, be aware and be safe. What are the risks? Are there natural alternatives to the vaccine?

What is the flu?

Influenza is a respiratory infection that produces fever, chills, sore throat, muscle aches, and cough that lasts a week or more. The flu can be deadly for the elderly and those with weakened immune systems or who are suffering from diabetes, kidney dysfunction and heart disease.

  Influenza Virus

What is the flu vaccine?

The vaccine is prepared using the fluids of chick embryos inoculated with a specific strain of the flu virus which is then killed with formaldehyde and detergent-sodium deoxycholate and/or Triton X-100. This is then preserved using a mercury derivative, thimerosal.

Are there any reactions?

Yes, there are several reactions to the flu vaccine. Within the first 12 hours after receiving the flu vaccine, the most common reactions are fever, fatigue, painful joints and headache. A severe reaction is the Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) which occurs within two to four weeks. GBS is characterized by muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, pain and/or paralysis of one or more limbs, unsteady gait and in up to 5% of GBS cases, death. Recovery can last several months and you can be left with a serious disability.

What are the Contraindications?

High risk factors as identified by the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) are:

•  already sick with a fever
•  have an impaired immune system
•  have an egg allergy
•  have a mercury allergy
•  have a history of GBS

Pregnancy used to be a contraindication, but recently the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the CDC has recommended the flu vaccine for women past their 14th week of pregnancy. However, the package inserts published by the flu vaccine manufacturers states: “Animal reproduction studies have not been conducted with influenza virus vaccine. It is also not known whether influenza virus vaccine can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman.”

Removes Natural Antibodies

Up until recently the flu vaccine has never be recommended for healthy children. The current injectable flu vaccine (Fluviral S/F) contains mercury as a preservative. In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration, CDC and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directed all vaccine manufacturers to remove mercury from childhood vaccines. Mercury is a known neuro-toxin and North American babies under the age of six months are already exposed to mercury in childhood vaccines that exceed EPA standards.

Adult vaccines still contain several toxins. Can you imagine the cumulative toxicity of injecting phenol, mercury and aluminum into your body every year?

Children recovering from natural exposure to various flu strains have a natural immunity to those strains in the future. The use of the flu vaccine removes natural antibodies. Question: Is it better for healthy children to get the flu naturally and develop permanent immunity to that flu strain, or is it better for children to get vaccinated every year to try to suppress all flu infection in early childhood? This question has yet to be answered by medical science.

Does the flu vaccine protect against all strains of flu?

No. Every year, federal health agency officials try to guess which three flu strains are most likely to develop in the following year. If they guess right, the vaccine is 70 – 80% effective in preventing flu for that season in under 65 year olds. Over 65 year olds have a 30-40% chance of remaining flu free. However, sometimes the officials guess wrong and as a result, the vaccine’s effectiveness is much lower for that year. If you are one of the many whose immune system has been impaired by the "Standard American Diet" rich in sugars, processed foods, fast foods, a vaccine won’t "save you" from the flu, much less from far more serious diseases, because your underlying defenses -- your immunity -- are already dysfunctional.

What are the alternatives?

1. Increasing your immunity system naturally is first. Start focusing NOW on eating properly. That means STOP eating junk foods and fast foods, STOP with the sugary foods, the processed grains, and the trans-fats. That means INCREASE the healthy and essential fats like the omega-3 found in fish oils and plant oils, the good carbohydrates like those in fruits & vegetables, and the healthy proteins like those in clean, naturally raised meats (i.e., NOT the kind you typically find in grocery stores). For access to home delivery of clean food click here.
2. The safest, least expensive and most effective method of preventing influenza as well as many other communicable diseases is hand washing for at least 15 seconds with liquid soap or regular bar soap. This scrubbing action plus the soap dislodges most germs from the hands. Rinse well and dry your hands.
3. Consider a homeopathy alternative. Asha Frost, HD. offers a homeopathic ‘vaccine’. See article below.

We are coming up to that time of year, yes folks it is flu season once again.  Each year, this season comes upon us and we are bombarded with information about how important the flu vaccine is.

Click picture to link to Asha’s website

The good news in the midst of all the controversy is that there are alternatives to the flu vaccine.  An option for some is the homeopathic version of the vaccine, Influenzinum, which can be taken as a form of prevention.  Another product that is popular around this time of year is Oscillococcinum, often used at the first sign of the flu.  These can be purchased from most health food stores or your homeopath.

Should you catch the flu there are many remedies to help you resolve the problem.  Note that these are only suggestions for the most common symptoms.  I suggest that you contact your homeopath if you are not finding relief as there are many other remedies that may be more appropriate.  Take the remedy as often as hourly at the onset of symptoms in a 30C potency.  When you notice improvement/decrease in the intensity, reduce the dosage frequency as needed.

1.  Symptoms:
Experiencing intense thirst for cold drinks.  A deep aching in the bones and muscles is very characteristic and can be so deep as to feel as if bones are broken.  There is often nausea and a sore chest. Discharge from nose and mouth is watery and the person is worse in the morning from 7-9am.
Remedy:   Eupatorium perfoliatum

2.  Symptoms:
 Lots of thick yellow mucus and discharge. Cold, damp, rainy conditions aggravate the condition.  There may be swollen glands and chills in the back.  The person feels better when moving and keeping warm.
Remedy: Dulcamara

3. Symptoms:
Extreme exhaustion and weakness with heavy, aching muscles.  There may be foul breath, discharges and sweat with a toxic state.  The individual is dull and confused and may be delirious.  Many different weather states affect the person  including open air, cold, fog and hot and humid conditions.
Remedy: Baptisia

4. Symptoms:
Gradual onset accompanied with dizziness.  There is a tremendous amount of weakness and lethargy.  So much so, that the individual may tremble.  Chills in the spine with muscle aching is a common symptom and the person is not thirsty.  The eyelids feel heavy and there may be blurred vision.
Remedy:  Gelsemium


There will be a homeopathic flu clinic running for the month of October at my office.  You will receive the homeopathic version of the flu “vaccine” for the entire flu season.  Cost is $10.00 per person, or $25.00 for a family.  I will be handing out the vaccine on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6 pm in October.  Other times can be arranged by appointment by calling 905.392.9513 or by e-mail at asha@my-homeopath.com

 Recipe of the Month

Cinco de Mayo Slaw 2 cups shredded red cabbage 1 cup shredded green cabbage 1 tsp. sea salt 2 Tbsp. or more fresh squeezed lime juice 2 tsp. honey 2 green onions, chopped with tops 3 Tbsp. or more chopped cilantro pinch of cayenne * add more sea salt and white pepper if desired. Combine all ingredients well. Serve immediately

What are Vitamins?

Vitamins are organic chemical compounds your body must have in very small amounts for normal growth, metabolism and health. You need vitamins to make enzymes and hormones—substances your body uses to make all the chemical reactions you need to live. You must get your vitamins from your food—you can't make them in your body.

There are 13 vitamins in all, and you need every single one of them.  Your body has about 60 trillion cells in it. Every moment of every day, thousands of different chemical reactions are happening inside each cell. To make each one of those reactions happen, your body makes a specific enzyme just for that particular purpose and no other. When the reaction is over, still other enzymes break down the specific enzyme and recycle it. To make all those enzymes and keep your body running smoothly, you need plenty of vitamins and minerals.  Eating good sources of food; organic raw foods ensures your body will have access to the vitamins and minerals it needs.

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