The common cold is the most frequent infectious disease in
humans. On average there occur two to four infections a year in individual adults and up to 6–12 in individual children.
Symptoms include head congestion, sore throat, coughing, headaches, fever, restlessness, sneezing, etc.
Flu symptoms are more severe and can include all the above as well as aching joints. See your doctor if the symptoms are unusually severe or if there appear to be complications (i.e. chest pains, rash, or stiff neck.)
Because colds and flu are caused by viruses, antibiotics which are only effective against bacteria are of no use. Colds spread from person to person and are highly contagious. So if you can’t avoid people – you might want to consider some natural remedies. Be armed, be prepared!
Best known among herbal remedies because it’s so tried and tested is
Echinacea , drops or tablets. Echinacea is licensed to relieve cold and flu symptoms but there are other herbs if you don’t get on with Echinacea. For instance, some customers favour
Black Elderberry or Sambucol, which has very potent anti-viral properties and has proved effective against all forms of flu.
I don’t personally know many products that will stop a
sore throat in its tracks but A. Vogel’s
Echinacea Sore Throat Spray is a marvel. It cunningly has sage in it, which is an excellent antiseptic. Another good sore throat solution is Higher Nature’s
Citricidal (grapefruit seed extract), brillant for a multitude of ills, literally. If the cough has gone into the chest and is full of phlegm A Vogel’s
Ivy-Thyme Complex might also be the answer. Ivy-Thyme thins mucus and can help expel catarrh from the respiratory tract. You might also give Bio-Health’s
Lobelia Compound a thought, since it’s indicated for blocked sinuses, coughs and catarrh.
Two of my favourite recovery from colds and flu products are
Garlic and
Vitamin C . Both remedies have potent anti-viral qualities and are good for the
immune system. However I know many people respect the healing powers of
Olive leaf and
Solgar's Astragalus Root . While the former acts like a natural antibiotic, both antiviral and antibacterial, the latter is a formidable immunity booster, helping to stimulate
white blood cells (the army of the body).
If your sinuses are blocked and it’s gone through to the ears, one of the best known products is
A Vogel’s Plantago, which is an herb with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects. You might also try a hot inhalation of A Vogel’s Po-Ho Oil to loosen the sinuses..
In general, to combat coughs, colds and flu try to avoid saturated fats and sugar. Reduce dairy since it’s mucus forming and keep your liquid intake up. A good
multivitamin may also help.
