Adapted from The Traveler’s Natural Medicine Kit, by Pamela Hirsch (Healing Arts Press, 2001).

Avoiding the flu is on many people’s minds, particularly this year with a worldwide flu vaccine shortage.

The good news is that people have been using essential oils for centuries to ward off illnesses, and we have an antibacterial room spray that can help in just this way.

Antibacterial Room Spray

Here is an excellent antiseptic and freshening room spray. It contains lavender and thyme oils, both of which are antiseptic and specifific to lung infections. If you are traveling, you might like to use it in your hotel room.

1. Fill a 2-ounce glass spray bottle with distilled water.
2. Add to it 7 drops of lavender oil and 4 drops of thyme oil.
3. Replace the spray top and spray!

If you are unlucky enough to come down with a case of the flu, or a bad cold, there are many natural herbal and homeopathic remedies that also really help. Here is a list of these as well, so you can ride out such an illness with the least amount of misery!

Echinacea
Echinacea stimulates the immune system and helps the body rid itself of microbial infection. Echinace angustifolia and E. purpurrea are equally effective, and many products contain E. pallida as well. Start taking Echinacea tincture – 30 to 45 drops 3x a days week before traveling to obtain ints immune-enhancing effects.

While all treatments work differently, depending on the individual, experience shows that Echinacea can knock out a cold if taken at the onset of symptoms.

Astragalus
Another effective immune-enhancing formula is a combination of astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus) taken as a tincture twice a day, 20 to 30 drops per dose. This formula is appropriate to take daily throughout the cold and flu season. Begin a month prior to travel.

Boneset
Boneset (Eupatorium perforoliatum is an immune stimulant that assaults bacteria. In the 1700s and 1800s most U.S. homes in the Northeast had boneset drying from the rafters. It was used effectively to treat a flue epidemic in Pennysylvania in 800.

Redroot
This effective botanical stimulates and cleanses the lymph system. The lymph system is responsible for processing and cleansing the body of the byproducts of fighting infection.

Boneset, Redroot, and Echinachea
Make this formula blend yourself by buying single-herb tinctures of each of the three herbs and combine them in a larger jar. Fill a 2-ounce tincture bottle with some of the resulting formula and you’re all set. This remedy is good to take 20 to 30 drops at a time, every hour, at the onset of cold or flu symptoms.

Homeopathic Formula
A standard remedy for flu is the homeopathic formula Oscillococcinum. Manufactured by Boiron, Oscillo is taken like any other homeopathic remedy – sublingually (allowed to dissolve under the tongue) 30 minutes before or after eating or drinking anything except water. The standard dosage is three vials; each vial contains hundreds of minute pellets. As soon as you feel flu symptoms, take a vial of Oscillo. Repeat with the second vial six hours alter, and with the third six hours after the second.

Note: These recommendations are offered as information only, not as a medical recommendation, or to be used independently of your working with your doctor.