How are you holding up with the recent drop in temperature and winter really setting in? If you haven’t already, it’s time to ramp up the immune support and put some extra defences in place to keep sickness at bay.
Natural medicine is a powerful therapy that is very effective in treating coughs, colds and influenza. Naturopathic treatment can bring rapid relief to symptoms and reduce the risk of a cold developing into a more serious condition.
There are a few simple steps to take as soon as you feel the dreaded lurgy rearing its ugly head which may help speed up recovery.
Rest! That’s right- rest! With all our commitments and the busyness of daily life we tend to “soldier on” and not give our body the rest it deserves. Taking the time to rest may not only reduce the severity of your cold, but it can also reduce the duration of the cold.
Stay warm. Keeping warm, particularly when braving the great outdoors on miserable days is important. Remember to add an extra layer or two under the kids’ clothing too. With this is mind, remember fresh air and sunshine are not only free, but necessities for optimal health and wellbeing.
Eat well. Nourishing your body with warming nutritious foods is something you are entirely worthy of. Packaged processed foods are often high in sugar which is damaging to your immune system and puts a further load on your liver’s detoxification processes. Including more immune-stimulating foods into your diet in the cooler months will help build immunity and lower susceptibility to disease. Garlic, onion and ginger, for example, contain antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties which are perfect for targeting dis-ease of the respiratory system.
To supplement or not? There are many specific nutrients that are needed for immune function. The most common ones are vitamin C, zinc and probiotics all of which support the immune system and perform many other essential functions in the body. At times supplementation may be necessary, particularly in times of acute stage illness. A naturopath can recommend specific nutrient supplementation targeted at immune support and respiratory function including information around dosage.
Herbal medicine can offer patients suffering from coughs, colds and the flu, not only symptomatic relief but long term immune modulation and balance. Different medicines exert different therapeutic activity which enables a naturopath to prescribe a customised formula targeted at individual symptoms and causative factors. Naturopaths have so many wonderful herbs to choose from which can be tailored specifically to the patient. Herbs can be used to balance multiple imbalances within the body at the same time which can be helpful if your sickness is causing other dysfunction such as sleep disturbance.
There are many natural remedies available to us that work efficiently and effectively, suitable for all ages and at every stage of illness. Tissue salts can offer immediate relief to sufferers young and old and for many conditions. Speak to your natural healthcare practitioner about which remedies are best for the common cold, sore throats, coughs and mucous congestion.
The famous “flu brew” is a concoction aimed at getting rid of that awful flu sooner than later. Juice one lemon, crush one clove of garlic, add a few slices of fresh ginger, 1 tsp of Manuka honey, mixed with one cup of boiling water. This can be made several times per day and sipped to aid in fighting off those nasty winter ailments.
YEP tea (yarrow, elderflower and peppermint) has been used to fight against the common cold and flu for many years. Drinking these teas, which can be found at your local health food store, have been known to bring some relief due to their medicinal properties.
A naturopathic consultation is based on thorough case taking to investigate the cause of the dysfunction so it can be addressed and resolved. If you are experiencing recurrent sickness you may be immune compromised. Natural medicine can offer you the support you need to strengthen your immunity and reduce the risk and frequency of becoming sick over winter.
Don’t underestimate the power of naturopathic medicine when it comes to your immunity and wellbeing. If you feel you need some extra support this winter, book a naturopathic consultation to get your defences in place and reduce the risk of catching the winter sniffles. Call us on 02 8406 0679 or email reception@nbip.com.auto discuss how we can support you.
