Flu and colds are contagious respiratory illnesses caused by viruses. Flu and colds appear most frequently in winter and early spring. These viruses attack the body by spreading through the upper and/or lower respiratory tract. Colds and flu attacks are usually harmless but make one feel miserable, tired and give one a general feeling of malaise. How can marijuana help?

What are the conventional recommendations for treating a miserable bout of flu or a nasty head cold? Generally speaking, a good doctor will recommend bed rest and plenty of fluids and tell patients to simply wait it out. However, in some cases, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication, which is supposed to shorten the illness by a day or two, but these types of flu meds come with a list of side effects.

For example, a well-known antiviral medication which is commonly prescribed for flu warns you not to take the drug if you have  respiratory problems, and other side effects are nausea and vomiting. Another popular antiviral medication for flu is associated with delirium and self-harm behavior in teenagers. Also, some strains of influenza have become resistant to these types of drugs.

Flu vaccines versus natural marijuana compounds

Flu vaccines cause antibodies to develop in the body about two weeks after vaccination. These antibodies are said to protect one against infection with the viruses that are contained in the shot! But can the flu injection do more harm than good? Studies show that many people catch the flu after being vaccinated. Vaccines are also manufactured one year in advance, which means vaccine manufacturers have to pretty much guess one year in advance which virus will strike the next flu season! Flu shots are also known to contain toxic and potentially dangerous chemicals.

Can marijuana help with colds and flu? The substances that fight the flu and strengthen the immune system are known as flavonoids. They are found in all plants. The cannabis plant contains flavonoids that are not found in other plants. This is what acts as part of the anti-inflammatory effects of the cannabis plant. If you are getting sick a lot, it means your body is lacking in the important flavonoid department.

Marijuana can help fix that imbalance. The plant helps to protect blood cells from rupturing, as well as increasing the body’s vitamin C supply. Cannabis is known to have anti-inflammatory properties and it also acts as an antioxidant.

When sick, it is not recommended that you smoke marijuana. If you smoke it, you are only going to irritate your throat and lungs further and you may end up getting worse. Medicate yourself against flu and colds by ingesting cannabis through edibles or by taking a little cannabis oil. You can also make marijuana infused tea, which helps you to sleep and feel better.

Sources:

Saveourbones.com

CDC.gov

Cannabiscoalition.org