Support your immune system this winter during cold & flu

     Here are a few well-known, proven, trusted and very effective, natural remedies to try:

i.                    First do no harm: Stay in bed for a few days. You will recover a lot sooner. Listen to your body and rest a while. Your immune system is exhausted and stressed out, too tired to fight the foreign invaders. That’s why you get a cold, flu, fever blisters or any other infection. So take a short break and relax. Doing relaxation exercises every day, will support your immune system, and make you less prone to colds and flu. During the Stress Course, you will learn many relaxation exercises.

ii.                   Don’t do physical exercise while you’re sick and during the recovery phase – it might strain your heart and lungs. Your body is fighting a viral war, so help it!

iii.                 Drink lots of fluids: drink filtered water (8 glasses a day), fresh fruit and vegetable juice or soup. Drink fresh orange juice for increased vitamin C. Eat guavas, oranges, lemons, kiwi’s and other fruit in season. These contain many beneficial nutritional ingredients to support you during winter.

iv.                Put 5 drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil in boiling water in a bowl, put a towel over your head and inhale the steam. This will loosen the phlegm, moisten the mucosal lining of the airways, while disinfecting the environment. Other aromatherapy oils to try are lavender, grapefruit, rosemary and tea tree oil (put a few drops in a burner, or in the bath, or use in a carrier oil for a soothing back and shoulder massage).

v.                  Increase your intake of antioxidant food supplements: vitamin A, C, E, B-complex, minerals zinc, selenium, copper; bioflavenoids.  Take additional calcium in a food form or in an amino acid chelation while you’re sick. Calcium helps blood vessels to dilate, thereby preventing the cold extremities associated with colds and flu. It also relieves allergy symptoms.

vi.                Use medicinal herbs. Herbs like garlic, Echinacea and golden seal act  as  natural  ‘antibiotics’ active against viruses, bacteria and even fungi. They are also decongestants that dry the mucosal linings in a gentle way. They do not have side effects. They actually support the immune system. Ginko biloba will prevent winter hands and feet.

Other herbs used in the natural treatment of cold and flu are astragalus, lime blossom, sage, elder flower, thyme and liquorice root. Most of these herbs help to reduce mucous, help the mucosal lining to recover more quickly after infection and are also effective against viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. Most of them also strengthen the immune system. Garlic and mustard will help to reduce mucous in colds and flu. Turmeric (borrie) has a strong antiviral and anti-inflammatory effect.

Wild cherry bark (found in natural cough syrups) is often used to treat an irritating, dry, persistent cough that keeps you awake at night. It is also good for people who suffer from chronic bronchitis and for whooping cough.

Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) has been used for thousands of years to reduce fever and as painkiller. It also helps for migraine and muscle spasm. People who are taking anticoagulants such as warfarin and aspirin should be careful when using feverfew and come off it gradually to avoid rebound blood clotting.

Try zinc lozenges to soothe a sore throat and zinc nasal spray for a runny nose. Make tea with fresh or dried sage leaves simmered in boiling water, with a teaspoon of honey, for a sore throat. You can also gargle with sage tea.

Try this recipe for immediate relief of colds, flu, thickened mucous and sinusitis. It will also help for fever, muscle aches and pains often associated with colds and flu. Mix together a pinch of ginger, cinnamon, mustard, cayenne pepper (optional) and turmeric with a fresh clove of garlic (optional), a little lemon juice and honey in hot water – it makes for a delightful spicy drink. (You might even add a tot of brandy!). Add a pinch of sage and thyme if the mucous is yellow or green. Drink this regularly (even every 2 hours) until you feel better.