Don’t worry, we’re not talking about traditional medical flu shots – you should certainly not mix and inject one of those yourself! We’re talking about a shot glass from nature packed with vitamins and flu-preventing ingredients.
Every year our population is facing a dilemma; to get or not to get the flu shot? Despite our authority recommendations, there is no way of escaping the fact that a large percentage of the population that chooses to receive the vaccine actually get quite ill a few days later, whereas the shot-free population seems to be largely unaffected with any symptoms.
Of course, the common post-shot symptoms may be less severe than the ones of a “real” flu and far from everyone who chooses the vaccine will get affected. On the other hand, some serious side effects and even (in rare cases) deaths have been reported. However, as with everything else, critical thinking should be applied and the risks should be weighed against the advantages of taking a flu shot.
Prevention is always the best, but if you do get the flu, try to implement the tips in this article and even try one of these homemade flu shots.
When preparing a DIY flu shot, you should take into consideration that it is just that – a shot. In other words, the small size of a serving gives you the opportunity to mix the most nutritious components together and consume them in the quickest possible way. Think of the most nutrient-concentrated foods you know and just blend them together. However, if the thought of apple cider vinegar mixed with garlic and spinach makes your stomach turn, don’t worry; there are actually quite tasty shots that can help you prevent the dreaded flu. No matter what your personal preferences and ambitions are, here are some examples of foods that can be mixed together according to your own taste:
- Apple cider vinegar. This is a classic that most people have heard about in the context of cold- and flu preventatives. The taste may not be the most appealing, but a tablespoon is quite enough and can make a big difference as the liquid is packed with antioxidants. Apple cider vinegar can be consumed on its own, diluted with water, sweetened with honey or as an ingredient in a fruit- and vegetable shot of your choice.
- Greens. Vegetables such as spinach, parsley, oregano and kale are great sources of nutrients such as magnesium, vitamin B6 and folate. These can favorably be mixed together or combined with other vegetables and fruits.
- Carrots. An ideal source of beta-carotene, carrots help us fight off the sniffles by strengthening our mucus membrane, making it more difficult for bacteria to reach our inner organs through our blood stream.
- Blueberries. They are one of the most antioxidant-concentrated fruits, and can protect you against a whole bunch of conditions. Studies have also shown that the substance called pterostilbene, which can be found in blueberries, helps fight off the flu when combined with vitamin D.
- Citrus fruit. Lemon in particular is a popular natural medicine in times of sickness. It has a high concentration of vitamin C and anti-inflammatory properties. Other citrus fruits that can help strengthen your immune system are grapefruits, oranges, mandarins, pomelos etc. If you don’t want to make a flu shot out of citrus fruits, eating them as they are gives you the same effect.
- Herbs. Particularly the herbs that belong to the category anti-microbial herbs possess powerful properties that can help you fight off the flu. These include foods such as ginger and garlic. The main function of anti-microbial herbs is that they destroy and keep unwanted bacteria, virus and parasites away. A great way of getting them into your system is by mixing them with lemon and drink as a shot.
We hope these tips will inspire you to try a natural way of fighting off the flu and other health issues. Remember that even if the flu is not your main concern, taking a DIY shot packed with immune system-strengthening ingredients daily or occasionally is always a good idea.
