Health Hotline Magazine | November 2026

Quercetin This flavonoid has been shown to have direct anti-viral action against multiple strains of the flu, in part by preventing the virus’ entry into cells and replication, specifically in the early stages of infection. One study found that the inhibitory e ect of quercetin was enhanced when quercetin was already present in the body; in other words, it works most e ectively when it’s taken before you get a viral infection. In addition to its anti-viral action, quercetin also supports a healthy inflammatory response by downregulating cytokine expression and secretion. In animal models, quercetin has been shown to reduce viral-induced inflammation, lung inflammation, improve lung function, and reduce the damaging e ects of oxidative stress on the lungs. TAKE: 1,000 mg daily, in divided doses. Oscillococcinum ® The homeopathic remedy oscillococcinum (pronounced os-sil-uh-cox-suh-num) can reduce flu symptoms, particularly body aches, headaches, fever, and chills, when you’ve already caught the virus. A Cochrane review described it as a “promising” remedy and noted that it “probably reduces the duration of illness in patients presenting with influenza symptoms.” TAKE: Follow label directions, starting on the first day of symptoms.

Elderberry Elderberry ( Sambucus nigra ) can quickly reduce the aches, pains, and fatigue that accompanies the flu. In one study, researchers found that 14 of 15 people taking elderberry extract had a significant reduction in symptoms, including fever, after just two days, and 13 of the 15 patients were symptom free after three days. Most of the studies have used an elderberry syrup. TAKE: Follow label directions, starting on the first day of symptoms.

Echinacea This popular herbal remedy works wonders when it comes to reducing the odds of catching a cold or flu, and it also seems to ease symptoms if you’ve already caught something. An analysis of 14 human studies, published in Lancet Infectious Diseases , found that echinacea supplements slashed the odds of catching a cold by an impressive 58 percent. For people who did catch a cold, the herb cut its duration by a day and a half.

TAKE: Follow label directions.

While there is no guarantee that you won’t ever get sick, priming your immune system now with the right nutrients will give you an edge, so even when you do get sick, your immune system is ready to work hard to get you back to good health!

Strong Immunity, What’s Blood Sugar Got to Do With It? Keeping your blood sugar levels in a healthy range determines how well your immune system is able to mount an attack against all types of pathogens, whether viral or bacterial. Chronically high blood sugar causes major dysfunction in both innate and adaptive immunity, and research has found that some viruses and bacteria are “better nourished and become more virulent” in the presence of high blood sugar, which provides them with a better environment to cause infection in the first place. Even if you are an overall healthy person, if you eat sugar when you are sick, or are first starting to feel sick, that sugar will undermine your immune response, in part because glucose blocks vitamin C from entering your cells, and vitamin C is a critical immune-supportive nutrient, especially during acute infection. When you maintain healthy blood sugar levels, you also support the optimal functioning of your immune system. For references, please visit naturalgrocers.com/issue-112

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