Colds and Flus

Changing seasons are often the time we get colds and ‘flus - in particular, autumn, winter and springtime are times when we get sniffling and running noses. In the past our forefathers always considered this time of year a good one to take certain herbs to cleanse and strengthen the body, today we are fortunate to have available a wide range of herbs to achieve this purpose of strengthening the body during the changing seasons against colds and ‘flus. Herbs such as Astragalus, Echinacea, Bogbean and Aloe Vera can help protect people against colds and ‘flus doing the rounds at this time of year.

If we look at the reasons why we get colds at this time of year, we note that sudden changes of temperature can occur, which can catch out the body’s defence system, especially if one’s immune system is weak due to overwork, stress or poor diet.

Try to dress for the weather: going from a very warm house or shopping centre or car into a cold breeze, especially if you’re sweating, will put you at great risk of catching a cold. Teenagers seem to be immune to this, perhaps because their immune systems are more powerful than adults’. But as we grow older, we can’t get away with Tank Tops, even if we did want to wear them!

When you get a cold, use Echinacea in high doses; also Vitamin C and Zinc lozenges - one every hour - will help to halve the length of time a cold lingers and hopefully prevent it from turning into an infection. If the cold does move into your chest, use Plantain Juice, Thyme Juice and Garlic bulbs to ease the infection. These herbs can be used with an antibiotic if you need one.

If you get a fever, then a good herbal mixture would be Yarrow, Peppermint and Elderflower with a little fresh Ginger to help sweat the fever out. It’s interesting to note how Elderflower berries work. In Israel it was found that Elderflower juice blocked the entry of the ‘flu virus into the body’s cells. It works for all types of ‘flu virus, since they all use the same method of entry into the body’s cells.

Do be careful when taking Diaphoretics (something that makes you sweat) to stay away from cold draughts, since your pores are open and you may be vulnerable to a relapse.

Avoid sugar when you have a cold or ‘flu as sugar weakens your immune response. Drink plenty of water when you have a fever. Chicken or Vegetable soups is very good to help your immune response.

If you do fight a cold or ‘flu with the aid of Herbal remedies, then you’ll fight it off even better the next time since your immune system becomes stronger.

David Foley

MNIMH, MRCHM

Medical Herbalist