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Protect your family from Colds and 'flu

Ute Allison naturopath
MSc, BNA, APN, MRN, VDH

Protect your Family from Colds
We can ‘catch a cold’ at anytime but winter, with it combination of wet and cold provides makes it more likely to catch a cold. Mixing with lots of people increases your chances of an infection, and families with children at school have a markedly increased risk of cold bugs entering their homes.

‘Flu or cold?With most colds you do not need to see a doctor. Real influenza (flu), however, can be very severe and you should consult your GP. So it is important to distinguish between the two. Sometimes this is not easy, but typically ‘flu is characterised by a rapid onset of aches and pain throughout the body, fever and an overwhelming feeling of wanting to go to bed. It has nothing to do with sneezes or a runny nose, which are symptoms of the common cold. In simple terms if you can't function and have to lie down, you have probably got the ‘flu. If you can still walk around, then it is most likely just a cold. Research has found that Black Elderberry Tincture is an excellent herb to combat the cold and ‘flu virus

How can you prevent an infection?
The best protection from an infection is a strong immune system. The old fashioned advice to keep yourself warm is as valid as ever. It is well known that every bio-chemical reaction is faster at higher temperature; the reason the body produces fever is to get the immune system to high alert. When we keep ourselves warm, especially feet and legs, we help the immune system to produce more white blood cells, which are our defence army.  Scientific studies have proven that Black Elderberry and the herb Echinacea increase the number of white blood cells considerably, especially when taken in a high concentration with vitamin C.  So make sure you have BioLife Elderberry plus complex - a complex of Black Elderberry, L-ysine, Beta glucans, postassium ascorbate (vitamin C) and zinc, a particularly good combination for increasing white blood cells, or Organic Black Elderberry Tincture or Echinacea and vitamin C in the house. (preferably a non- acidic form of Vitamin C which is stomach friendly and easy to take.)  A good quality multi vitamin and mineral such as is helpful to boost the immune system. Ensure your family gets enough fruit and vegetables especially delicious mandarins and kiwi fruit, all rich in vitamin C.

Most infections are passed on by minute droplets from people's coughs and sneezes. So ask your children to use a tissue. Avoid dry room air, which will dry out the nasal membranes and reduce their defence mechanism. You need to reduce stress levels, as stress weakens the immune system considerably. Winter is a time when the biorhythm is on a low level anyway,but our modern lifestyle cannot always adapt to that. If your lifestyle is stressful some herbal prodcuts to support the Adrenal glands.Remember it is important to make sure you and your children get enough sleep.

When you have caught a cold
Unfortunately we do not become immune to colds, because there are approximately 200 different viruses that can cause them. Each time we suffer a cold we gain immunity to that particular virus - but there are still dozens of others waiting to infect us next time around. When you have caught a cold, there is no point going to the doctor unless a secondary bacterial infection such as bronchitis has developed. Viral infections do not respond to antibiotics but nature's pharmacy has potent remedies to even deal with these enemies. It has been found that Black Elderberry is one of the few remedies which can fight viruses. So once you have caught the cold, or at the first sign of one developing take BioLife Organic Black Elderberry Tincture together with their Organic Echinacea tincture or Elderberry plus complex In this way you fight the viruses and strengthen the immune system.

Bees supply us with valuable Propolis, which they produce to protect life in their hives. Propolis has antibacterial and anti-viral properties. to treat a sore throat and protect the bronchi.

Once your family has a cough and noses are congested, inhaling gives a lot of relief and soothes the respiratory membranes. Inhaling a mixture of Tea tree, eucalyptus, pine needle and peppermint essential oils can help.

Always make sure your family is drinking enough. At least 4 pints of liquid a day as light herbal teas, water or well diluted fruit juices are needed to replace the losses and help the body to detoxify. In case of sweating also remember to replace minerals.

Someone who has got a cold has to rest. Modern science has found out that exhausting physical activity is reducing the number of white blood cells for about one hour after the strain. Normally their numbers come back even stronger after that time, which is one of the values of sport at the right time, but in case of an infection this hour of weakness is enough to give the bugs the chance to take over. So no sport with a bad cold and after the ‘flu no sport for a fortnight

Why are the natural remedies better?
The recommended substances do not just suppress the symptoms of a cold like many over the counter remedies you can buy in your supermarket, but they really work on the cause: They improve the immune system and weaken the bugs.If your symptoms persist: Once a cold sets in it can take up to two weeks to resolve itself. If, however, the problems persist after such a period of time, you should consider a consultation with a practitioner who, for example, can perform a blood test on you and check the important parameters.
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