Win the cold war

Here’s what to do if you start to sniffle and sneeze

It’s that time of year again- when winter bugs and viruses are around every corner. Hot busy shops, party venues not to mention overcrowded buses and trains are just the places where they like to linger. To escape going down with a cold of flu the best route is prevention rather than cure. This means following a healthy diet, taking plenty of exercise and getting enough sleep to ensure your immune system is strong enough to stand up to any infection.

You should also try to address any stress areas in your life, as stress is a sure-fire way of depleting immunity leaving you open to infection. And 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.

If you do succumb here are some herbs that can help you to fight back.

• Echinacea – This potent immune booster has proven antibacterial and antiviral properties and is thought to help increase the number and activity of the white blood cells involved in fighting off infection.  Take it on an ongoing basis to protect against a cold and in higher doses if you start cough and sneeze.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

5 WAYS TO KEEP CHRISTMAS WARM  

1. Sip a cup of warming ginger tea to beat the chill. Cinnamon, echinacea and clove are other good brews to look out for.
2. For a quick body warm-up add a few drops of pine, cedar, lavender or orange essential oils to your bath as it is running.
3. Snuggle up in front of the fire - put on some warm slippers, grab a fleecy wrap and gaze into the flames for a few  moments.
4. Sip a hot water bottle between your sheets. Or try a bean-filled bag, which you can warm in the microwave and wrap around your neck.
5. Invest in a soft fleecy blanket and wrap yourself up when the going gets cold outside.

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.