The body requires a balanced intake of nutrients as well as
adequate rest for health and healing. After an extremely busy weekend, when my
diet was negligent and sleep was in short supply, it was no surprise when I
found myself sniffling and sneezing late Saturday afternoon. I had not given my body enough of what it
needed to effectively stay in balance and defend itself from the daily
onslaught of germs, and so it was time for me to slow down and fight back. As
the weather travels its autumnal path, and holiday schedules make it harder for
us to take good care of ourselves, sometimes we just can’t help but catch that
cold or flu that is making its rounds. When that happens, I have a tested regimen
and immune support arsenal that I use to combat those germs and recover
quickly.
FORTIFY THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: As soon as you start to feel those
early symptoms that indicate you are battling some kind of virus, your
first priority should be to support your immune system, so that it can
effectively defend your body and quickly get you over the cold or flu. There
are a number of simple ways to do this.
- The lymphatic system is responsible for cleaning
the toxins out of your body. When you are battling a virus or infection, the
lymphatic system is taxed. Swollen lymph nodes are sometimes an indicator of
this. Manual lymph drainage massage is an excellent way to support the
lymphatic system, although it may not always be available as a treatment option.
- An Ayurvedic recommendation would also be to
start your day with a glass of warm, lemon water or herbal (caffeine free) tea
to stimulate lymphatic flow, as well as taking ashwaganda to improve the
function of the immune system.
- Raw garlic and ginger, which you can easily find
at your grocery store, also help to support the immune system in fighting
infection.
- A combination of zinc, vitamin C and Echinacea have
also been found helpful in boosting immune function.
- Reishi, a medicinal mushroom, is one of my
favorite immune supporters. It also has a number of other health benefits when
taken regularly (especially in the areas of respiratory and cardiovascular
support).
- When running the heater in your home, consider
using a vaporizer at night, to keep moisture in the air. Dry nasal passages are
more vulnerable to infection.
SYMPTOMATIC RELIEF: Although there are many over the counter
medications available to treat symptoms, I avoid most of them. Many of their
side-effects can cause other imbalances in the body and may actually lengthen the
amount of time it takes your body to get well again. Drugs formulated to
decrease mucus often also dry out the sinus cavities, which makes those
areas more vulnerable to infection. That can also cause the body to produce
more mucus to combat the dryness. Natural methods to treat symptoms may require
more frequent dosing for a more gradual relief, but they also more effectively
help your body with healing and regaining balance.
·
It can be helpful to decrease sugar intake and
avoid dairy when dealing with a cold, as the former can subtly decrease immune
function, and the latter can – when mucus is already present – increase mucus thickness
and production.
·
For colds or coughs, turmeric is helpful in drying
up and decreasing mucus production. It can be taken in capsule form, used as a
spice in food, and even made into a paste with honey and ginger (which is
easier for children to take, and my kids do not mind the taste). Honey can also
help with excessive mucus production, and local and/or raw honey has additional health benefits.
·
For colds, Traditional Medicinals’s Gypsy Cold
Care tea contains herbs that help with sinus congestion (elder flower, yarrow,
hyssop, eucalyptus, licorice root, peppermint, etc.). To be most effective, sip
tea throughout the day, or try to have 3 cups a day.
·
For coughs, herbal teas or natural honey based
cough syrups with Slippery Elm, Cherry Bark and marshmallow root can sooth the
throat and help break up chest congestion.
·
Eucalyptus and Peppermint essential oils mixed
in a carrier oil to be rubbed on the chest or steam diffused in boiling water will
also give temporary sinus and chest congestion relief.
·
When a stronger expectorant is needed, Naturade
Herbal Expectorant with guaifenesin is very effective.
·
There are also a number of homeopathic tablets
that can be safely taken in combination with any of the previous suggestions,
although homeopathics should be taken separate from food and drink.
·
If there is fluid buildup in the ear, or ear
infection tendencies with a cold, ear oils (I suggest Wally’s Ear Oil)
containing mullein and garlic oils will help soothe and combat potential infection.
As I finish typing, a zinc lozenge sits in my
mouth and a cup of herbal tea is on hand. I can honestly say that after only
three days of supporting my immune system and treating my symptoms naturally, I
feel almost completely recovered. All I need is another restorative night of
sleep, and I will be back in balance and good as new...
