Winter Health

Natural care for the cold season

Coughs, colds, cold sores and flu – it’s that time of year again. Get set for winter chills right now by building up your immunity the natural way. And if disaster strikes and you do pick up an infection, reach for the natural first aid treatments.

Vitamin C

Numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of vitamin C in higher dosages for the prevention and relief of cold and flu symptoms.
Researchers from Heber City, Utah reported that ‘mega doses’ of vitamin C decreased cold and flu symptoms reported by 85 per cent of men and women between the ages of 18 and 32.

In another study, H Gorton, DC, and K Jarvis, DC, compared the effects of pain relievers and decongestants among 463 subjects in a control group and vitamin C in 252 subjects in the test group. The test group took 1,000mg of vitamin C hourly for the first six hours after initial symptoms and then 1,000mg three times daily. Subjects in the test group without symptoms also took 1,000mg of vitamin C three times daily. The results showed that 50 per cent of subjects reporting flu symptoms experienced relief with one six-hour treatment of 1,000mg of vitamin C per hour.

A form of vitamin C has been developed and patented in the USA that has proven particularly effective - Ester-C is a buffered form of vitamin C that reduces the acidity and is especially gentle on the stomach. This enables the user to take higher levels without gastrointestinal discomfort.

Echinacea and immunity

A number of reviewed studies have demonstrated improvements in health among those using the herbal remedy, echinacea, including reductions in the incidence and duration of colds. For example, one eight week double-blind study in 109 subjects showed a decrease in the incidence of colds, with the echinacea group reporting half the number of incidences of "pronounced respiratory infections requiring absence from work or bed rest".

Oregon Grape – blood purifier and fever-buster

This herb has a high content of the alkaloids, berberine, hydrastine and canadine, which have strong antibiotic activity against a wide variety of harmful organisms including staphylococcus, strepococcus, chlamydia, salmonella and candida. Berberine’s action against some of these pathogens is actually stronger than that of antibiotics commonly used for these foreign invaders. Berberine’s action in inhibiting candida, as well as pathogenic bacteria, prevents the spreading of a yeast that is a common side effect of antibiotic use.

Oregon Grape also aids in boosting the blood supply to the spleen, enabling the spleen to release immune-boosting compounds most effectively. Berberine also activates macrophages the cells that engulf and destroy bacteria, viruses, tumour cells, and other undesirable matter. This effect on the blood supply classes berberine-containing plants as ‘blood purifiers’.

Berberine containing plants are suitable in lowering fevers, as they appear to enhance the immune system’s ability to handle fever-producing compounds produced by micro organisms.

Lysine and cold sores

Cold sores are a viral infection, part of the herpes family and once you are infected, it remains in your system forever. Outbreaks of sores occur on the edge of the lips, especially when we are under stress, suffering with a cold, exposed to chill winds or bright sunshine. Cold sores are very infectious and you should avoid kissing friends and family until the sore has completely cleared.

The amino acid, lysine, has been shown to prevent the recurrence of, and speed recovery from, cold sores. Another amino acid in the body, arginine, promotes the cold sore virus and lysine works by blocking the activity of arginine. Supplementing with lysine and reducing the intake of arginine-rich foods is an effective weapon against the cold sore virus. Foods to avoid include: nuts and seeds and chocolate.

Licorice for cough relief

Licorice is a helpful remedy for coughs as it acts as an expectorant, facilitating the movement of mucus from the respiratory tract. Additionally, licorice has anti-microbial, immune boosting and adrenal supportive properties.

St John’s Wort* – help for those sad days

SAD or Season Affected Disorder is now widely recognized as a cause of depression during the winter months.
A two-page spread in Newsweek (May 5, 1997) entitled, "A Natural Mood Booster," described the success and safety of a herb called St. John's Wort Hypericum perforatum) in treating depression.

Newsweek reports, "It's been popular for about 15 years in Europe as a natural remedy for depression. In Germany, where it's currently the leading treatment, physicians write some three million prescriptions a year--25 times the number they write for Prozac."

Reporter Sue Miller noted, "The respected Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology aroused a good deal of interest in 1994, when it devoted an entire issue - 17 research papers in all - to "Hypericum: A Novel Antidepressant." One compelling study tracked the herb's effects on 3,250 patients battling mostly mild and moderate depression and found that about 80 percent either felt better or became completely free of symptoms after four weeks."

*Care is advised with St John’s Wort if you are already taking medication as it may enhance the effects and side-effects of conventional drugs.

Get set for the cold season by stocking up with health-boosting vitamins and herbs at Tarporley Health Store.

Pick up an easy boost to your immune system all in one box - the Viridian ‘Cold Season Pack’ at just £9.99 – usual price £13.00.

The Viridian Cold Season pack twins a 100% organic, UK grown, fresh Echincea tincture, with a bottle of the patented, low acid, Ester-C.

Viridian’s fresh organic Echinacea is grown in Herefordshire to Soil Association standards ensuring the highest degree of environmental growing practices. Being UK grown, Viridian’s Echinacea also reduces so-called food miles, the amount of pollution used in transportation.

Ester-C, much beloved of author and broadcaster, Michael Van Straten, has earned a reputation as the best absorbed and utilised vitamin C currently available. Van Straten recently conducted a study to investigate its effectiveness against colds, flu and general infections.

Pick up your FREE copy of the SOLGAR 'Winter Health' Health Store News. Now available for collection at Tarporley Health Store, 2 Chestnut Terrace, High Street.