Dec

Fighting Colds and Flu (Part 2)

COMPLEMENTARY APPROACHES

Most complementary therapies and remedies focus on strengthening the body’s own immunity so you are better able to avoid colds, and are more likely to shake them off quickly if you do succumb. But they can also help the symptoms, often as effectively as conventional drugs. For example, homeopathic treatments and essential oils can dry a runny nose, clear a stuffy head or ease a cough. And something as simple as sucking zinc lozenges may be able to stop a cold in its tracks.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopaths say that a cold is often a positive experience – the body’s way of making you slow down and look after yourself during periods of overwork or stress. Homeopaths that believe that the body is perfectly capable of coping with minor infections, and I discourage patients with colds or flu from using drugs to bring down a fever. A raised temperature is the body’s way of fighting the infection, while a runny nose or cough quickly expels bugs.

The early stages of a cold, when the nose streams like a tap, making the nose and upper lip sore, are best treated with Allium cepa. A heavy cold, with thick, yellow-green discharge, which makes you feel stuffed up at night and indoors, yet clear in the open air, will respond quickly to a few doses of Pulsatilla, especially if you are weepy and looking for attention and sympathy.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY

Many people who get a lot of infections eat too many sugary foods and drink too much alcohol, which affects the ability of their white blood cells to fight infection.

Wheat, dairy products and oranges can increase the amount of mucus produced in the nose and throat in people who are sensitive to these foods, so if you suspect such a sensitivity you should limit these foods as well.

Eat a fresh wholefood diet, which includes at least five portions of fruit and vegetables. These contain antioxidant vitamins and minerals, which protect against infection.

Nutritional therapists believe that recurrent bouts of colds and flu can be brought on by stress, a poor diet and exposure to environmental toxins. Boosting immunity usually involves a complete dietary overhaul.

Drinking lots of fluid, especially filtered water and fresh vegetable juices, is very important. Carrot juice supplies beta-carotene, which the body makes into vitamin A – a crucial nutrient for maintaining the good health of the respiratory passages.

Consuming fresh garlic every day also helps enormously. Also up your intake of blue-coloured fruits, which are high in beneficial flavonoids.

Taking supplements can help to bolster your defences against colds and flu, such as high dosages of vitamin C, zinc and vitamin A, though care should always be taken not to exceed the recommended daily amount.

When you have a cold, all you want is to make yourself feel better – to be able to breathe easily again.

There are several complementary approaches that can help.

Most complementary therapies and remedies focus on strengthening the body’s own immunity so you are better able to avoid colds, and are more likely to shake them off quickly if you do succumb.

But they can also help ease the symptoms, often as effectively as conventional drugs.

For example, homeopathic treatments and essential oils can dry a runny nose, clear a stuffy head or ease a cough.

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY

Many people who get a lot of infections eat too many sugary foods and drink too much alcohol and caffeine, which affects the ability of their white blood cells to fight infection.

Wheat and dairy products can increase the amount of mucus produced in the nose and throat in people who are sensitive to these foods, so if you suspect such an intolerance you should limit these foods as well.

Eating a fresh, wholefood diet, which includes at least five portions of fruit and vegetables can play a huge part in keeping you healthy. These contain antioxidant vitamins and minerals, which protect against infection.

As a Nutritional Therapist, I believe that recurrent bouts of colds and flu can be brought on by stress, a poor diet and exposure to environmental toxins.

Drinking lots of fluid, especially filtered water and fresh vegetable juices, is very important.

Consuming fresh garlic every day also helps enormously.

Also up your intake of blue-coloured fruits, which are high in beneficial flavonoids, such as blueberries, grapes and plums.

Supplements can also help to boost your immune system. As everyone is treated as an individual, it is advisable to see a Nutritional Therapist to see which supplements will be of most help to you.

HOMEOPATHY

Homeopaths say that a cold is often a positive experience – the body’s way of making you slow down and look after yourself during periods of overwork or stress.

It is also a good way of ridding your body of any built-up toxins.

Homeopaths that believe that the body is perfectly capable of coping with minor infections. A raised temperature is the body’s way of fighting the infection, while a runny nose or cough quickly expels bugs.

The early stages of a cold, when the nose streams like a tap, making the nose and upper lip sore, are best treated with Allium cepa.

A heavy cold, with thick, yellow-green discharge, which makes you feel stuffed up at night and indoors, yet clear in the open air, will respond quickly to a few doses of Pulsatilla, especially if you are weepy and looking for attention and sympathy.

Tissue Salts can also help a lot with a cold.

Combination J is for Coughs, Colds and Chestiness and Combination Q is for Catarrh and Sinus Disorders.

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