A Naturopathic approach to flu prevention means that we want to support the body's own healing wisdom in immunity. There is much controversy about seasonal and H1N1 flu vaccination, and these can be good choices for some, but regardless we have the ability to help you make your best defense. As the vaccine issue is starting to polarize the community and public health seems unable to provide consistent information people are getting stressed. I want to be a resource for all in this time of confusion. This means listening to and understanding your point of view, your goals and your individual health concerns. We will use the best available research and knowledge to provide answers to your questions without bias. And we will always put the patient and their beliefs first. Being outside of the Alberta Health Services domain, we are free to support your personal freedom to vaccinate or not, and have treatments plans that address the strengths and concerns of that decision. We have three levels at which we are providing advice. First we want to address basic nutrition and immunity as any weakness here will be a concern, regardless of treatment plan. You must be able to digest, absorb and eliminate effectively before we examine more specific treatment options. We use vitamin and mineral supplements and digestive support to ensure that your body has the nutritio0n it needs to be strong. Secondly we can use homeopathic medicines to stimulate a response to the flu. The use of homeopathics has a long and supported history for many illnesses. While this modality is often misunderstood, especially in North America, it is a staple of European non-drug medical treatment. Thirdly, we are using the natural wisdom of herbs to improve immunity and to stimulate the body's response to a virus. There are many herbs that can be appropriate to each individual depending on unique circumstances. The judicious use of herbs requires knowledge of how to apply them safely and understanding how they can affect other health parameters as well as having a high-quality product. We make a very conscious effort to choose herbal formulations from vendors who can prove the quality of the product from every batch and have quality control from farm (or forest) to patient. Our goal is to provide you the best support we can, using the best of all forms of medicine, without judgment and to provide the information you need to have comfort in your choices. Dr. Joe