TREATING COLDS AND FLU’S NATURALLY
By Lindy Cook Naturopath, Nutritionist, Herbalist
This winter marked the arrival of not just the run of the mill cold and flu. We have seen the arrival of a particularly virulent form of influenza commonly known as swine flu. The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human seasonal influenza and include fever, lethargy, lack of appetite and coughing . Some people with swine flu also have a reported runny nose, sore throat, nausea vomiting and diarrhoea.
So now, more than ever, preventative health medicine has an important role to play. Herbs and nutrients can prime your immune system and increase your resistance to those roaming bacteria and viruses out there. The best time to treat a cold or flu is at it’s earliest warning sign. So if your nose begins to run and you feel generally unwell, kick start your immune system with some of the following steps and you may shorten both it’s intensity and duration. However, once a cold or flu starts it is not too late to begin treatment.
General preventative Tips
- Be careful when touching public access surfaces such as door handles, shopping trolleys, taxis, lift buttons, remote controls, telephones etc.
- Alcohol wipes and gels are easy to carry and use as a disinfectant after touching public access areas
- Wash hands often and try to reduce touching face, eyes and nose with unclean hands
- Try to stay in general good health. Get plenty of sleep, exercise often, manage your stress levels, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick
General Treatment for Colds and Flu’s
Eat much less and consume a more simple, liquid based diet.
Energy is diverted from the digestion to support the immune system so your gut will be better able to break down lighter food . Chicken broths with shitake mushrooms, garlic and greens or fresh vegetable juices (always with added ginger so it is not too cooling) are nutrient rich, immune stimulating, easily digestible foods that perfectly support the body during this acute stage.
Encourage sweating or diaphoresis
By raising the body’s core temperature we create an environment difficult for a bacteria or virus to live in. This can be achieved by drinking a mix of diaphoretic teas. A commonly available and used mix is yarrow, elder and peppermint. Brew a strong mix of these herbs and drink several cups. Have a hot shower or bath and then go to bed, using extra blankets to encourage more sweating. More tea can be consumed at this time. This should be avoided in the very frail individual who may already suffer from night sweats. Ginger is another beautiful herb that can be added to soups, juices and teas to warm the body. Always use fresh ginger root.
Drink Fluids
When the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract get dehydrated it provides a more hospitable environment for the virus. Consuming plenty of liquids and/or using a vaporiser maintains a moist respiratory tract that repels viral infection. A high fluid intake also improves the function of white blood cells, part of the immune system. However, drinking liquids high in sugar, even pure orange juice, reduces the ability of white cells to kill bacteria. Always dilute juice with water and avoid drinks high in sugar and glucose while unwell.
Helpful Foods
Vitamin C rich foods obviously help stimulate the immune system; lemon juice in warm water with manuka honey (antibacterial) is an excellent remedy and soothing to sore throats. Freshly squeezed orange/carrot and ginger juice is high in vitamin C and vitamin A, a nutrient that helps stimulate the immune system and heal mucous membranes. Garlic is antibacterial, antiviral , breaks down mucous and encourages sweating. The Chinese have long used shitake mushrooms as a supplement for it’s renowned tonic and antiviral action. Add it to soups and broths. Keep sugar consumption low as it impairs immune function.
Vitamin C rich foods; red and green peppers, oranges, lemons, broccoli, berries
Zinc foods; sunflower seeds, brazil nuts, almonds, tahini, walnuts, oats
Vitamin A; carrots, sweet potato, pumpkin, apricots
Avoid Dairy
Dairy creates mucous and is congesting so obviously best avoided. A low calcium diet for a short period will not have a detrimental effect on the body. Garlic and horseradish both help break down mucous.
Sleep and Rest!
Bed rest is essential if you are going to kick your cold or flu quickly and effectively. During the deepest levels of sleep, potent, immune enhancing compounds are released. It is the curse of the modern ages that we feel we must ‘soldier on’. Your body needs time to heal and recover and your co-workers will probably be happier if they don’t experience a dose of your illness.
Steam Inhalations
If nasal or chest congestion is a real problem try adding eucalyptus, pine and lavender oil to a bowl of boiling water. Place a towel around your head and inhale the fumes. They will help clear the nasal passage and move phlegm from the lungs.
Sore Throat Gargles
For a very sore throat gargles are one of the most effective topical treatments. Propolis, a bee resin, is amazing and the best thing I have found to treat a sore throat. Add 5 drops to a little water and gargle frequently throughout the day. Avoid it if you are allergic to bee stings. If this is unavailable, gargle salt water in warm water
Supplements
The right supplements can make all the difference in your ability to fight off and recover from a cold or flu. It is always best to see a trained practitioner who can tailor make a prescription to suit your specific symptoms. A rough for general cold symptoms is;
Echinacea - antibacterial and antiviral; Up to 10 grams per day in divided doses.
Androgrophasis
Zinc - powerfully antiviral. One lozenge containing 23 elemental zinc every two waking hours for one week only.
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids- immune stimulant; during any acute condition high doses of vitamin C can be tolerated. 500 to 1,000 mcg every two to three hours (decrease if diarrhoea results).
Also consider the herbs Andrographis, St Johns Wort (anti viral) and Garlic Tablets
NATUROPATH INDRA'S SUCCESS WITH HER CLIENT EL
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Naturopath Indra
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Hello, my name is El Liberis and I am 36 years of age, married with two beautiful boys.
After giving birth my body just would not go back to normal. I tried many diets however nothing seemed to work. It was hard to get the weight off (bearing in mind that I had my kids very close together).
I then decided, right, I need to dig into this further! I searched in the Yellow Pages for Naturopathy and discovered Glow Health. It was the first and only place I called upon and came across my saviour, Indra.
I have lost 8 kilos so far, and still going, and I have not felt better. I seem to have more energy, especially with my kids and I am able to do more things in less time. My skin is much cleaner and I feel much more focused and calm with everything. The diet has helped me understand good foods and bad foods. The beauty of it all is that I have had to give clothes away which leaves more room in my cupboards for new attire. That is a bonus!
My husband is thrilled and my friends and family are astounded by how my body has changed. The looks on their faces are truly amazing.
I truly thank Indra for guiding me through this. We all know losing weight is not an easy task. It’s not just losing the weight but also knowing what is good and nutritional for you and your body. Thank you so much!
NATUROPATH LISA AVAILABLE
Lucky Naturopath Lindy is off to the UK for 3 weeks in September and Jade will be sunning herself in Port Douglas! Lisa will be available for consultations several half days just for September whilst Lindy and Jade are away. Lisa is loving being a mum to Lily who is now 4 months and a little angel! Lily is being breastfed but will luckily take a bottle with expressed milk too. Here's a recent photo of Lily.
Lisa will be available for consultations;
Tuesday 15th Sept 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 16th Sept 12 - 3pm
Monday 21st Sept 10.30am - 2.30pm
Monday 28th Sept 12 - 5pm
Lisa will also be covering reception (not available for consults sorry) Saturday 12th and 19th so drop in and say hi!
INDRA'S RECIPES
Naturopath Indra, who has a background as a chef, would love to share some of her recipes with you!
San Choy Bow
· 2 finely diced celery stalks
· 1-2 finely shredded Kaffir lime leaves
· ½ tsp fresh grated ginger
· 200gm minced pork (or tofu see below)
· 1Tblsp sesame oil
· ½ to 1 Tblsp curry powder, (I prefer a brand like Herbie’s, but use your favorite)
In a non stick pan sauté celery and Kaffir leaf until celery is soft.
Add pork and ginger and curry powder.
Sauté until pork is cooked, it will happen within minutes.
To serve:
Add handful of chopped coriander or mint with 2 finely sliced spring onion.
Serve with a wedge of lemon in iceberg lettuce cups, topped with bean shoots.
VEGAN VERSION: To make this dish vegetarian/vegan change pork for 250 gm crumbled firm tofu and 2 Tblsp toasted sesame seeds and shredded almond flakes.
This is a perfect dish to top up your salad vegetables for the day, especially good now the weather is getting warmer.
Serves 2
Protein count 30gm each
Carbohydrate count up to 2 cups additional salad (from the 4 cup allowance list)
Whipped Ricotta
· 2 scoops vanilla KetoSlim protein powder
· 400 gm ricotta
· Juice 1 lemon
· Fine zest of 1 lemon
· 1 tsp vanilla essence
Place all ingredients in a large bowl.
Blend till whipped with beaters.
If mixture looks to stiff let it out with a small drizzle of water.
Serve with low GI (allowed) fruit.
Can also be made with zest from 1 orange, 2 Tblsp rose water, and toasted almonds.
Lovely chilled with fruit for breakfast, top with ground linseeds or LSA for more fibre.
Serves 4
Protein Count 16 grams each
Carb count ¼ cup of fruit
GLOW HEALTH AND WEIGHT LOSS
1429 MALVERN RD, MALVERN VIC 3144
PH. 1300 GLOWHEALTH OR 9824 7250
www.glowhealth.com.au