On the Cold Front

As soon as I get a cold it always seems to turn into bronchitis, which can be very debilitating. I am keen to explore natural remedies. Can you give me some ideas?

Dee Atkinson Answers

Any health problem that keeps recurring indicates a weakness in the area affected. In your case it would seem that you lungs are an area of weakness. You need to take a two-pronged approach to this problem, firstly to try and build up your underlying immunity, and thereby reduce your susceptibility to catching colds in the first place and secondly to try and strengthen your lungs so that any cold you get does not develop into bronchitis.

To improve your immunity, put yourself on a course of echinacea. Living and practising in Scotland, with our damp climate, I treat a lot of chest infections, and find that not only does echinacea boost the immune system, but it also works to clear up mucus and catarrhal problems. It can safely be used long term to prevent infections. I often combine it with garlic capsules and a daily dose of vitamin C.

At the first sign of any symptoms I suggest you start taking pelargonium. There is encouraging evidence from recent studies that taken as an extract, this herb can help prevent colds developing into secondary infections such as bronchitis.

To strengthen your lungs try a combination of horsetail, plantain and yarrow herb in tea form. Horsetail contains silica, which is extracted in water and will help strengthen lung tissue, Plantain helps to expel mucus and yarrow is a tissue healer. Drunk daily over a period of a few months this tea will support your lungs and reduce your susceptibility to bronchitis.