So we’re all panicking about the swine flu and looking deep within our souls to decide whether to get the vaccine. But when it comes to natural prevention, there’s also a lot to consider. Not handwashing, of course – that’s a no-brainer. Wash and wash again. Sneeze into your sleeve. Don’t let strangers lick you. There’s other must-do’s, too, like drinking fluids and getting enough shut-eye.

But lots of other advice is making the rounds, and while most of it can’t hurt, it’s not always clear how it helps. Gargling with salt water can ease a sore throat, but don’t assume it’s preventative. Using a neti pot for you nasal passages can help you breathe easier, but can it actually stop flu bugs? Not sure. 

Here’s more flu-fighting tricks.

What the experts say

“I suggest using fresh basil leaves and dried oregano. Soak them overnight and use them in your cooking. This really helps prevent flu. Chop up a clove of garlic each night and drink it with some water. Immune-boosting soups are another thing. Soak the root astragalus overnight and put it in your soups. You can find it in Chinese stores. If people are really scared, I give them homeopathics like Influenzinum.”

SUSHMA SHAH, naturopath, Toronto

“It’s important for everyone to practise prevention, such as taking vitamin C, zinc, fish oils, probiotics and colostrum, which is from milk. People are saying that vitamin D is really important. I would caution that not everyone should take high doses. Check your blood levels first. Dress warmly and cover your neck. At the first sign of flu, buy a herbal throat spray, like a combination of echinacea and goldenseal. Eliminating dairy and soy is good because they produce mucus. When people exposed to a flu virus react with similar symptoms, then the virus fits a ‘genus epidemicus.’ People with common flu symptoms but who also feel dull, drowsy, dopey and dizzy and can’t keep their eyes open require gelsemium. Others may experience high fever and throbbing headache, a sign that they need belladonna.”

ZORANA ROSE, naturopath, Toronto

“There is significant evidence that vitamin D will help protect people from respiratory viral infections, especially influenza. How much it will help protect them from a novel virus like H1N1 is not known. The question is not ‘Is there proof that vitamin D will prevent influenza?’ The direct answer to that question is no. The question, though, is ‘Is it wise to enter flu season vitamin-D-deficient, knowing what vitamin D does for the immune system?’ And we think the answer to that question is ‘No, it’s not wise at all.’”

JOHN CANNELL, president of Vitamin D Council, San Luis Obispo, California

“Handwashing is the first line of defence. The second means having body, mind and spirit all in harmony. Make sure your nutrition is good, and exercise. Spiritual people, by and large, do live longer. If you don’t have unnecessary stress, your immunity is much better. When the vaccine is available again, people should get it.”

CHANDRAKANT SHAH, staff physician, Anishnawbe Health, professor emeritus, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, U of T