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You and the flu |
Coughs and colds continue to plague us in the winter months regardless of medical advances. As there are multiple strains of flu virus or influenza and many related viruses that give the same effect, there is no one medication available to treat the flu. Antibiotics are useless unless a secondary bacterial infection occurs.
The best way to get on top of the flu or even to avoid getting it, is to stimulate your own immune system to fight the battle. Many studies have shown that a healthy diet, supplemented with a few harmless herbs, does the trick. This includes eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables for natural vitamin A, C and E and adding plenty of raw garlic to food.
If you do come down with the flu, cut out sugars and dairy products in the acute stages of the illness to reduce the production of phlegm and drink lots of water. You may consider increasing your vitamin C intake with a supplement of up to 2000mg per day in the early stages, but 500mg daily is ample to help clear early symptoms. Sucking zinc lozenges every 3-4 hours also has a beneficial immune effect as does the echinacea elixir which acts as an antioxidant. Please consult with a doctor or herbalist if you have asthma or known allergies to medication.
Herbal teas are a wonderful way to warm away winter chills. The most traditional infusion for colds is equal amounts of peppermint, elder flower and yarrow taken just before going to bed, where a sweat may occur. Even just a packet of peppermint tea with a little grated ginger or a cinnamon stick will also help clear a cold away.
If a cough is the problem, a teaspoon of honey in your tea is soothing. The infusion of choice is a mixture of marshmallow, thyme, and coltsfoot. Of course if the phlegm produced is green or yellow this may indicate a bacterial infection and medical advice should be sought.
Last but not least is the popular use of aromatherapy in the form of steam inhalations and baths. A mixture of a few key oils in the room can alleviate the whole family but for specific problems a few drops of these oils in about 600ml of steaming water and a towel over your head, taking care to avoid scalds, will certainly help. These include eucalyptus or tea-tree oils as antiseptics, lavender and cinnamon for a cold or to sooth a cough, and frankincense or marjoram to increase expectoration. Choose a blend with a scent you and the children like and remember if the problem does not improve in a few days, seek professional help, especially for children.
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