| Cold and flu season can really get the best | | | | Fenugreek - This herb is beneficial for |
| of us if we don't take care of ourselves. | | | | helping to reduce fevers and for sinus |
| Sometimes, though, even those with a strong | | | | congestion by reducing mucous levels. |
| immune system are going to get sick too. Here | | | | |
| are some herbs and vitamins that are commonly | | | | Garlic - Garlic is a fantastic immune |
| used during this time of year and what they | | | | booster making it an effective herb for |
| might do for you. | | | | preventing and infection. Garlic oil or |
| | | | garlic cloves are also effective against ear |
| No matter what you are taking, it is always | | | | infections when placed directly into the ear |
| best to spread the amount out over the course | | | | 4 to 5 times daily and covered with a warm |
| of the day. Take a little every couple of | | | | compress for 5 to 10 minutes. For colds and |
| hours rather than a bunch 2 or 3 times a day. | | | | flu take 400mg 5 to 6 times daily. Safe for |
| | | | long term use. |
| Vitamin C - Vitamin C helps lessen the | | | | |
| symptoms and shorten the duration of a cold | | | | Ginger - For stomach flu, ginger helps fight |
| by enhancing the immune system. It will | | | | nausea by reducing stomach spasms. |
| increase white blood count and antibody | | | | |
| response. Vitamin C also works as a natural | | | | Goldenseal - Goldenseal works by |
| decongestant. The best recommended dose of | | | | strengthening the immune system. It is best |
| Vitamin C is bowel tolerance. This means take | | | | used for respiratory illnesses and in |
| enough Vitamin C to cause minor diarrhea and | | | | combination or alternated with Echinacea. For |
| then take 80% of that amount daily. This | | | | colds and flu take 125 mg 5 to 6 times a day. |
| amount will increase during times of immune | | | | For nausea and vomiting take 125 mg every |
| or physical stress. | | | | four hours as needed. Goldenseal should not |
| | | | be used long term or by pregnant/nursing |
| Zinc - Zinc is another common supplement | | | | mothers or those with high blood pressure. |
| used during a cold. Zinc is best taken at the | | | | |
| initial onset of a cold and as a lozenge that | | | | Lobelia - Liquid lobelia can be taken in |
| will dissolve in your mouth. It appears as | | | | very small doses placed on the tongue to help |
| though zinc binds to the virus preventing it | | | | stop a coughing fit. It can also be rubbed on |
| from affecting the body. Do not exceed 100mg | | | | the chest to open up the lungs. |
| of zinc per day as this may depress rather | | | | |
| than strengthen the immune system. | | | | Nettle - Also called stinging nettle, this |
| | | | herb is a good expectorant. It is beneficial |
| Antioxidants - Similar to how Vitamin C | | | | for colds and flu where there is a lot of |
| works, other antioxidants can be beneficial | | | | excess mucous. |
| to helping your body fight a cold or flu. | | | | |
| | | | Olive Leaf - Olive leaf fights bacteria and |
| Probiotics - Probiotics have been used to | | | | viruses making it a good choice to prevent |
| treat stomach flu but now research is showing | | | | colds and flu from starting. It is also |
| that they may also be beneficial for | | | | effective once you have gotten sick. Use 800 |
| respiratory colds. Probiotics support bowel | | | | mg 4 to 5 times a day. |
| health, critical during any sort of illness | | | | |
| as well as the immune system as a whole. | | | | There are many more herbs that may be |
| Probiotics are necessary for three reasons. | | | | beneficial for colds and flu. If one doesn't |
| Plenty of probiotics leaves no room for bad | | | | seem to work for you over the course of a few |
| bacteria to invade. Probiotics help the body | | | | different illnesses, try another. |
| flush toxins. Also, probiotics are necessary | | | | |
| for the production of certain vitamins. | | | | It is always best to begin taking something |
| Probiotics are most effective when taken on | | | | at the very first sign of an infection, |
| an empty stomach. | | | | perhaps before you are even certain you are |
| | | | getting something. Doing so dramatically |
| Echinacea - This common herb helps to fight | | | | increases the effectiveness of any remedies |
| infection by stimulating white blood cells | | | | you may be considering. If you are still |
| (the fighter cells) and fighting | | | | uncertain of what might work for you, seek |
| inflammation. It may be effective against | | | | out assistance from someone that has a |
| allergies, colds, flu and other infections | | | | background in natural health. Of course, |
| illnesses. Echinacea is best used in dose of | | | | whatever you decide, be sure to discuss it |
| 200 mg 5 to 6 times a day. It is not | | | | with a health care practitioner in case of |
| recommended for overall immune boosting as | | | | interactions that may occur.Nicole Bandes is |
| the body may become somewhat immune to it's | | | | a Natural Health Coach whose passion is |
| effects. | | | | educating individuals about natural |
| | | | alternatives available to them. |