Flu season is from December to March and peaks in February. Flu or influenza takes about 3 to 7 days to run its course. But those few days can be agonizing. Flu is highly contagious. If you could avoid crowds and people during the flu season that would go a long way in keeping you flu free. But we know that is not feasible. Here are some ways to beat the flu naturally.

The flu virus can live for hours on telephones, computer keyboards, faucets, and door knobs. So wash your hands as often as possible.

Some of my friends believe that garlic works wonders in combating the flu. They eat as much raw garlic as they can at the first sign of the flu. A garlic foot rub is also recommended for the flu. Coat your feet with olive oil. Cut a clove of garlic in half and rub it on your feet. Put your socks on and go to bed. This should help to get rid of the flu in record time.

Studies have shown that black elderberry extract may shorten the duration of the flu. Ninety-three percent of the flu patients who took the extract recovered within two days while those taking a placebo took about six days to recover.

Patients were given the black elderberry extract within 48 hours of contracting the flu. They took four tablespoons of the extract per day for three days.

Elderberry keeps the flu virus from entering your cells and replicating. Elderberry reduces the viral load. It also strengthens the immune system.

This is not a preventative but is used as soon as you have symptoms of the flu. Anything that can strengthen your immune system will help you overcome the flu. These include Vitamins A, C and D. Echinacea and goldenseal are good immune enhancers.

The elderly are more susceptible to flu. The fifth leading cause of death among people 65 or older is respiratory infections. And as most of us know antibiotics are not effective against viruses. So it helps to have some natural remedies on hand.

Flu shots may not contain the virus that causes the flu. Every year the manufacturers guess which five viruses are most likely to cause a flu outbreak that year. About a year before the flu season the flu vaccine is produced. If the flu outbreak is not the virus they put into the vaccine, you are not protected.

Since the flu shot is not 100 percent reliable in preventing the flu, it’s good to have some home remedies on hand. Black elderberry extract can be purchased as Sambucol. It has been shown to be effective against at least ten different strains of the flu virus. So be sure to stock up on the black elderberry extract, hand sanitizers, vitamins and garlic this flu season.