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