Summer colds

There’s nothing worse than a streaming cold in the heat of summer. Here are some herbal remedies that may help to bring relief.

Sniffles and sneezes are not what you expect on long hot sunny days but believe it or not more than a quarter of colds occur in the summer months. And the reason? Certain viruses are more active in summer and things like long haul flights and air conditioned offices provide perfect places for them to breed.

So what are the best protective tactics? Keeping fit and healthy and keeping a hold on stress levels are ideal ways to boost immunity and reduce your chances of going down with a summer cold.    You also need to follow a well balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, while including plenty of omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, nuts and seeds, can be beneficial too. There are also lots of herbs that can help to build up your defences naturally.

There are numerous studies to show the benefits of dosing up with echinacea. Research carried out last year for example at the University of Connecticut showed that echinacea can more than halve the risk of catching a common cold. If you are prone to summer sniffles or going on a long- haul holiday you can take it on an ongoing basis as a protective measure and up the dose if you start to feel a cold coming on.

Garlic is an old favourite when it comes to fighting colds. It’s been more closely researched than any other medicinal plant and studies show it’s rich in antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral properties. Chop it up and add it raw to summer salads, use it to flavour veggies on the barbecue or, if you can’t stand the taste or smell of garlic, odourless capsules are available in health stores and pharmacies.

Another herb that is making a lot of news on the cold front is pelargonium. Research shows it can help to kick start your body’s natural killer cells to fight the infection as well as helping to relieve typical cold symptoms such as a sore throat and nasal congestion.  You should take 30 drops of pelargonium extract  three times a day at the first sign of any symptoms.

Elderflower is also worth a try. It works well on its own or combined with peppermint. Simply put a teaspoon of the dried herb or a teabag in a cup. Fill with boiling water, strain and sip before you go to bed.

Hot ginger tea can also be very soothing.  Grate a chunk of fresh, peeled ginger root into a mug, cover with boiling water, leave to infuse for a few minutes and sip. Alternatively, add a pinch of powdered ginger to hot lemon and honey.

If you are suffering from a bunged-up nose eucalyptus may help to bring relief.  Its leaves contain an essential oil with antiseptic properties that can help ward off bacteria and viruses. It can also help to loosen mucus and ease congestion. Put a few drops of the essential oil on a handkerchief and sniff as required. Alternatively add two to three drops to a bowl of hot (not boiling) water. Cover your head and the bowl with a towel and inhale the steam carefully.

REMEMBER TO:

• Wash hands regularly especially after blowing your nose and before eating.
• Wipe down door handles, computer keyboards, mobile and ordinary phones and the TV remote control regularly.
• Use tissues only once and then throw away.
• Avoid people with colds and try not to shake their hands.