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The Swine Flu that is going around the world is caused by A(H1N1) virus. Scientists are finding that this is a weak virus and almost all suspected new cases of Swine Flu have been reported as mild. The good news is that initial scientific evidence is showing that this virus is not as potent as initially thought.

According to the Word Health Organization (WHO), as of June 12, 2009, 74 countries have officially reported 29,669 cases of influenza A(H1N1) infection, including 145 deaths in the entire world over the past few months.

According to WHO statistics, malaria kills 3,000 people every day. In the US alone, more than 100 people die from car accidents every day. When you compare these numbers to the 145 deaths caused by Swine Flu in the whole world over the past few months, you can see that Swine Flu is so much milder and that there are bigger problems out there.

There was a Swine Flu outbreak in 1976 when a massive health campaign was created to deal with it. At that time, there was a fear of flu pandemic, which never materialized. So, this isn't the first time such fears have been raised. The best thing that you can do under such situation is to stay calm and positive. Such an attitude always keeps you safe and healthy.

For those who are curious, Swine Flue Symptoms include:

• Fever of more than 100
• Sore throat and/or runny nose
• Coughing
• Lethargy, Body ache & headache
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• Lack of appetite

The best defense against any type of flu is to strengthen your immune system so that you are naturally protected.

Following are some important tips that people can use to boost their natural defenses and stay healthy:

Coconut Oil

Coconut Oil is a natural and very potent antimicrobial food. It kills viruses, bacteria & fungi. It can be included in your diet as a cooking oil or simply mix 1-2 teaspoons of it with your favorite vegetable or fruit drink. According to Ayurveda, massaging with Coconut oil gives superior results as compared to consuming it.

Castor Oil

Castor Oil is another great natural immune booster. It can be used to massage the body or ingested orally. You can mix 2 tablespoons of Castor oil in 1 cup warm water and drink it before your morning tea or coffee.

Avoid Sugar and all processed foods.

Sugar weakens the immune system. Processed foods contain sugar, trans fats and many artificial ingredients that weaken your immune system.

Get more vitamin D

Vitamin D also strengthens the immune system. Butter, Cod Liver Oil and Egg Yolk are very good source of vitamin D. Exposure to sunlight stimulates the production vitamin D under the skin. So, get some sun exposure, preferably early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

Be positive

Staying positive also boosts your immune system. One of the simplest ways to do so is to say positive affirmations everyday. Repeatedly saying "I am healthy" for 5 to 10 minutes everyday, either aloud or silently in the mind helps a great deal. Best times to say the affirmations are early in the morning immediately upon waking or just before going to bed at night.

References

1. Kabara JJ., et al. Fatty Acids and Derivatives as Antimicrobial Agents. Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy. July 1972;2(1):23–28.
2. Grady H. Immunomodulation through Castor Oil Packs. The Journal of Naturopathic Medicine. 1997;7(1):84-89.
3. Sanchez, A., et al. Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic Phagocytosis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Nov 1973;261:1180_1184.
4. O'Leary A. Stress, emotion, and human immune function. Psychological Bulletin. Nov 1990;108(3):363-382.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.