Archive for the ‘Cough and Cold’ Category

15
Jun

Immune Boosters Help With Cold Prevention

   Posted by: author1 Tags: , , , , , ,

 

There are several proven ways to reduce your chances of catching a cold. First of all you can avoid contact with infected people and items that they have touched. Second, if contact DOES occur, you can take preventative measures by keeping your hands out of your eyes and nose and washing them often. Finally, you can take care of your body and keep it healthy and strong so that it can better fight off the sickness should contact with the virus still occur. Let’s delve into this area a little deeper as it is one of the key components of cold prevention.

Improving your immune system function is one of the best ways to keep your body strong and healthy . The immune system is a complex network of interacting cells, cell products, and cell-forming tissues that protects the body from pathogens and other foreign substances, destroys infected and malignant cells, and removes cellular debris. Good eating habits play a very important role in improving your immune system. There are certain foods, vitamins, and supplements that can boost your immune system and keep your body healthy.

Vitamins/Antioxidants

Antioxidants like vitamin C & E offer direct protection for your immune system. Everyone should be taking a multi-vitamin daily not only to aid in immune system health but also for general health and well-being. Some immune system vitamins are packaged as a specific product and sold as a specific immune booster supplement.

Immune Boosting Foods

Sometimes taking vitamins is not as effective as actually eating the foods that contain them. Some of the best immune-boosting foods are yogurt, turmeric, garlic, oregano, red bell peppers, green tea, pumpkins, ginger, oysters, and broccoli. Each of these foods have properties that can boost your overall immune system health.

Physical Factors

Being generally physically fit is a huge factor in boosting your immune functions, but make sure not to overdo it as over-stressing your body can reduce the effectiveness if your immune system. A few other physical factors that can maximize your immune response are minimizing damage via UV and other radiation to the immune system and minimizing the aging process.

If you focus on improving your diet and engaging in immune boosting activities you will reduce the number and severity of colds that you catch.

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5
Mar

Herbal Healing – The Doctor Is In The House

   Posted by: Dr. Tonia Mitchell ND Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Many spices and herbs, commonly found around the house, can be used for herbal healing to fight infection, sanitize and heal wounds, improve brain power and detoxify the body.  Be warned that many of these herbs have essential oils in them which are toxic in high doses so should especially be avoided during pregnancy.  Consider the following:

  • Rosemary is my favorite for herbal healing. It is called the herb of remembrance (or the herb of chicken) because it increases blood flow to the brain increasing memory, focus, concentration and mental endurance. Take the dried or fresh leaves and steep them like you would tea.  Rosemary is also one of nature’s best antioxidants as it helps prevent cell damage and helps the liver function to detoxify the body.
  • Tumeric is another easy way to help detoxify the body.  Also, to decrease inflammation in your joints or muscles or anywhere in the body, put 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder in a couple ounces of warm water and drink it quickly.  If you don’t like the taste, add some cinnamon or chase it with your favorite fruit juice.  This bright yellow powder is used as a clothing dye, so be careful, it will stain your clothes!
  • Cayenne is a strong, topical pain neutralizer.  Use this spicy, red powder for pain and inflammation of any kind: joint pain, muscle pain or nerve pain.  Combine 1 part cayenne powder with 5 parts flour, add some water until it becomes a thick paste and spread it on to a piece of fabric.  Fold the fabric so the cayenne paste is in the middle.  Apply this to the sore area for 15 minutes maximum, watching for redness or burning. Also, sprinkle some cayenne in your socks to keep your feet cozy on cold days.
  • When you’ve got that sensation in the back of your throat as if you’re about to get sick, chew on some sage leaves.  The essential oils in the leaves are antimicrobial and should prevent the infection.  A pure form of the essential oil can be put in some water and gargled.  Also, crush the leaves with a mortar and pestle then wrap them in sterile gauze and apply to scrapes and cuts to clean the wound.
  • Parsley can be used for speedy herbal healing of wounds, bruises, stings and bites.  Crush the leaves of this breath freshening garnish then wrap them in some sterile gauze and apply directly to the skin.

As you can see, herbal healing is possible from your own home – it’s effective and inexpensive!

Naturopathic medicine is a safe, effective and natural approach to you and your family’s health.  Naturopathic doctors can and will empower you to live a healthy lifestyle while treating and preventing disease.  Find more information on the services I offer at Arbour Wellness Centre at Nanaimo Naturopathic Doctor.

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