We have all noticed by now that there has been quite an uptick in colds and flu and other upper respiratory tract infections of late – the kids and elderly seem especially prone to “coming down with something” at this time of year but few of us get away unscathed. The reasons why this is so are varied but include:
- Temperature/seasonal changes - many people’s constitutions are sensitive to the change in temperatures and weather conditions we experience with the changing season.
- Increased microbial load – as there are more people infected with colds and flu, so the concentration of virus in the air increases (worse in enclosed spaces like offices and classrooms – open the windows and decrease the viral load!)
- “New” viruses – in the year or more since your last infection the various (limited number of) viruses to which our human system is susceptible have undergone varying amounts of modification due to inaccurate RNA replication in a multitude of human and other hosts. Depending on how much alteration there has been and how well we managed the previous infection, each of us will have a unique susceptibility to the new viral strain.
In the presence of novel and increased microbial/viral load even those people with relatively good health and strong constitutions may become susceptible to infection.
To the Holistically minded, and Homeopaths in particular, of primary importance is the terrain of the individual – more particularly the state of the immune system – which is why we favour Immune System Support whether it is herbal, nutritional or homeopathic in our approach to infection rather than attacking or removing the microbe entirely. The latter leads inevitably to ineffectual immune responses in future infections and there is some support to say that it may indeed lead to abnormal immune responses down the line. It is thus a common sense approach from beginning to end.
So, what tools do we have available to us to prevent and treat colds and flu?
Behaviour: lots of Fresh Air, fresh unprocessed Food (as organic as possible), Water and Rest. (Make sure your plate has lots of colourful food on it – I always tell the kids to make sure they are eating a rainbow every day! The pigments in our fresh foods contain a multitude of phytochemicals that provide all the vitamins, sterols, sterolins and other micronutrients we need day to day). Regular exercise, managing ones stress and simply washing your hands regularly at this time of year have all been shown to be of benefit as well.
Supplements: we know about Vitamin C and Zinc for fighting colds and flu but don’t forget a good dose of Garlic, Elderberry and/or Vitamin E are extremely useful to prevent colds and flu as well.
Herbs:
- Echinacea Purpurea/Angustifolia– it HAS to be the root, no other part of the plant provides the alkyl amides which do the work.
- Glycirrhiza Glabra – liquorice root to support the mucous membranes and the adrenal glands
- Olea Europea – olive leaf is an effective anti-viral and anti-fungal
- Ginseng – immune booster and adrenal tonic
- Andrographis – “Indian ginseng” – immune booster
Homeopathy: a “well chosen remedy” that accounts for the patient’s whole picture, the Similimum, is the ideal prescription and requires a qualified and properly trained homeopath to make this choice.
If you want something more general that is off the shelf and likely to be of benefit then the Heel range is worth having a look at: Gripp Heel, Tonsilla, Engystol, Euphorbium compositum and Vinceel are all well respected remedies in this regard.
There are also well established protocols using injectable remedies that provide a good prophylactic cover – speak to me if you would prefer this to the standard flu vaccine.
Dr Bruce Thomson