Natural Remedies for the common Cold and Flu

The reasons many of us get winter colds and flu are numerous. Viruses causing most respiratory infections are always mutating, and our immune systems have trouble handling these ever-changing germs.

Viruses can survive on non-porous surfaces for hours. If you turn a door handle recently touched by a sneezing, sniffling person, then lift a hand to your nose, you’ve infected yourself. some respiratory viruses, notably influenza, become airborne when someone coughs. You only need to inhale three tiny viruses to become sick.

The symptoms are usually runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough.

Influenza is not as common as colds. Two main types of influenza viruses — A and B — cause most cases of the flu. Influenza viruses spread in the air and via direct contact. Flu symptoms are usually dramatic, with sudden onset of chills, fever and muscle aches. Nasal congestion may not be as marked, but the cough can take weeks or even months to resolve.

Another thing to consider is that the flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

There are some natural herbal remedies which work against common cold and flu

Remedies for the common Cold and Flu:

Elderberry - Elderberry is a traditional herbal remedy for upper respiratory infections. It’s has been shown to reduce the severity and length of flu symptoms. The constituents in Elderberry have a specific action against flu viruses.

Echinacea: A natural remedy that is popular for boosting the immune system. Its antiviral and antioxidant properties make it popular for treating the common cold and flu.

Astragalus: A natural remedy that is widely used in China for boosting the immune system. It is traditionally used as an energy tonic but is popular for treating common colds, respiratory infections and the flu.

Goldenseal: A natural remedy with powerful anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and astringent properties. The root is used for reducing colds, flu, fevers and other respiratory problems.

Ginger: A natural remedy with powerful healing properties. It is used as a diaphoretic to fight off cold and flu. Ginger is well known for treating motion and morning sickness, migraines, nausea, arthritis, respiratory infections. Because of these features, it is popular for treating the flu.

Vitamin C: Eating food high in vitamin C or taking natural vitamin C supplement may help fight off the flu.

Vitamin D: Plays an important role for aiding the immune system to fight microorganisms. Some experts believed that the reason why people are more vulnerable to the flu during winter is because of the lack of sunlight. The shorter days equal to less sunlight which prevents the skin from producing sufficient levels of vitamin D. Taking natural vitamin D supplement during the winter time is recommended by many health experts.

Other ways to fight the flu:

Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu. Organic food such as fruit and vegetable are loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals and many other nutrients that are designed to fight off bacteria and virus. No matter how deadly the microorganism, if you provide your body with the right nutrients, it has a very good chance of destroying it.

Drink herbal teas such as ginger and rosehip, add lemon juiceor cinnamon to give it an extra boost. These are high in antioxidants and full of antiviral properties.

Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Being dehydrated can cause the mucous membranes around your eyes, mouth and nose to shrink which increases the chance of microorganisms getting through these barriers.

Your body needs about 8 hours of sleep per day. Getting enough rest will help boost your immune system.

Don't let Hay Fever get up your nose !

Hay fever is a pain in the nose!

Tired of spending a small fortune for hay fever relief ?

As anyone who has ever applied fresh aloe vera to a cut, burn or blister knows, nature's power to heal can be awesome. But while we're content to let eucalyptus and palm oil extracts do their work on our skin and hair, and embrace the health benefits of cooking with wild herbs, leaves and berries, when it comes to common ailments many of us don't even think to look to nature for help.

Because tablets or pills are available off the shelf ,we've forgotten that many of those tablets or pills began on a bush. The first hint of flu or a headache has people queueing in line for nasal sprays, syrups and pills.

But quite often, you end up with side effects that may be worse than the original symptoms !

And here are some of nature's secrets :

Packing your diet with fresh fruit and vegetables is essential . The more natural antioxidants you can get into your system the better. Vitamin C has natural antihistamine effects, so include lots of leafy greens, peppers, papaya, tomatoes and broccoli.

Foods as medicine: Increase onions and garlic for quercetin and sulfur levels.If you eat fish, now is a particularly good time to enjoy the natural anti-inflammatory properties as found in oily fish. Eat salmon as often as possible for the anti-inflammatory benefits of the Omega 3’s .

Quercetin: Stabilizes the “Mast Cells” of our immune system and prevents their cell membranes from degranulating and releasing histamine in to the system. Histamine is what makes us cough, sneeze, itch and have watery eyes.

Vitamin C: Supports the immune system and the functioning of quercetin.

Nettles Leaf: Has been shown to be extremely helpful during allergy season.

Beta Carotene plays a role in healthy mucous membranes and foods particularly rich in this include broccoli, asparagus and apricots. And remember to use lots of garlic in your cooking if it’s to your taste! It's another great immune system booster.

If there are any foods that you find you are sensitive to, try to avoid them during hayfever season to avoid placing any additional burden on your immune system. If you suffer from other environmental allergies, then it is helpful to avoid such foods

Having an alternative medicine plan in store during allergy season will save you time, medication, and misery in the long run.