Hi Sandra, winter illnesses such as cold, flu and cough have already started to do the rounds at the office I work in. I seem to catch at least one or two of these each winter. Is there anything natural I can take to reduce the chances of getting sick over the next few months? Thanks, Sean.
Hi Sean, thanks for your question. If you are prone to picking up colds and flu over the winter months, the end of autumn is the perfect time to begin fortifying your immune system. In addition to the winter season, being surrounded by others who are sick, undertaking travel, and increased workload or stress can further compromise your immune system.
Plant medicine has been used for centuries to protect and fortify the human immune system. Having immune support on hand during these high-risk times can help to reduce the severity and duration of infection.
With 60 years of clinical research and thousands of years of traditional use, the wonderful echinacea root (Echinacea purpurea) is perhaps the most known and frequently used immune herb. Echinacea has been found to reduce both the severity and duration of colds and flu. It increases both the number and activity of immune cells, resulting in a more efficient attack on viruses and bacteria. Studies on children with respiratory tract infections and ear infections have shown that it is both safe and effective.
Unlike synthetic cold and flu medications, Echinacea can be successfully taken as a preventative medicine over longer periods, with clinical trials showing it reduces the likelihood of cold and flu by 58%. Preparations made with freshly harvested Echinacea root are particularly potent. A recent study confirmed that such a fresh preparation is as effective as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) in the early treatment of clinically diagnosed and virologically confirmed influenza virus infections with a reduced risk of complications and adverse events. It is an attractive treatment option, particularly suitable for self-care.
