On the Cold Front

Boosting your natural defences is the best way to protect against winter nasties. Here’s how

‘Tis the season of sneezes and sniffles and the chances are sooner or later you’ll succumb to one of the estimated 250 cold viruses that are circulating at this time of year. But it is not all bad news as there are things you can do to minimise the risk.

PROTECT YOURSELF

For starters aim to eat a healthy diet containing plenty of antioxidant-rich fruit and veg, chillies, cayenne pepper, ginger, onions and garlic, exercise regularly and make sure you get some fresh air very day to help keep your immune system strong.

You should also try address any stress areas in your life, as stress is a sure-fire way of depleting immunity leaving you open to infection. Also don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day to help flush out toxins from the body and keep your mucous membranes healthy.

In addition you could try the following natural remedies:

• Echinacea – This potent immune booster has proven antibacterial and antiviral properties. Take it on an ongoing basis to protect against a cold and in higher doses if you start cough and sneeze.
• Ginger – this wonderfully warming and invigorating herb can help to boost your immunity. You can take it as a capsule or make yourself a tea – simply grate some ginger root into a cup, cover with boiling water and sip.
• A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement – A useful insurance policy to protect against any possible nutritional deficiencies in your diet.
• Vitamin C – Countless studies show that vitamin C can help to boost the production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Look out for supplements containing bioflavanoids as these can enhance vitamin C absorption.

IF YOU DO CATCH A COLD …

Remember what your mother told you - wrap up warm, get plenty of rest and stay in bed if you feel really rough. Forcing yourself to go out to work won’t do you any favours  - it usually means it takes much longer for you to shake off the cold.

Continue with the preventive tactics above and try the following:

• Pelargonium – start to dose up with pelargonium at the first sign of a sniffle or a sore throat. Research shows it helps to kick-start your body’s natural killer cells as well as helping to relieve typical cold symptom such as a sore throat and nasal congestion. It may also put a stop to secondary infections such as bronchitis.
• Eucalyptus or myrrh essential oil – these can help loosen mucus and ease congestion. Add 3-4 drops to a bowl of steaming water. Cover your head and the bowl with a towel and inhale.
• Zinc – there is some evidence to suggest that taking zinc supplements can help you to recover faster from a cold as well as making symptoms less severe. Sucking zinc lozenges at the first hint of a sore throat can shorten the duration of the infection by several days.

TRY THESE

• Rest. Putting your feet up and lying down as much as you can will allow your body to divert its energy into fighting the virus.
• Drink up. Plenty of liquids are essential to help flush the infection out of your body and loosen a blocked nose. Any drink will do including traditional remedies such as honey and lemon and chicken soup. They help to thin mucus as well as providing easily absorbable nutrients.
• Eat light. You probably don't have much appetite so go for light but nutritious fruit and veg. Carrots, beetroot and green peppers are all rich in cold-fighting nutrients. Alternatively whiz up an immune-boosting fruit or vegetable smoothie.
• Spice it up. Hot, spicy foods such as curries encourage your body to expel mucus. Spicy foods work in the same way as over-the-counter decongestants but without any of the side effects such as drowsiness.
• Go easy on dairy. Avoid dairy products such as cream- based soups, ice cream, pudding or milk as they can increase phlegm.
• Don't smoke. Smoke is irritating and stops mucus clearing from your air passages. It's best to avoid alcohol too, which expands blood vessels in your nose increasing that stuffy feeling.
• Don't delay. Treatments are best started at the first hint of a sneeze as colds generally get worse over the first couple of days and then begin to subside.
• Seek medical help. If your cold goes on for longer than seven days or mucus secretions are yellowish or green, you should contact your doctor

Pelargonium is found in Kaloba - A traditional herbal medicinal product used to relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold based on traditional use only.