| December 2004
Natural Defense for Colds and Flu There are many factors which keep your immune system strong and less susceptible
to the viruses living among us. There are also specific factors that weaken
your immune system and allow you to become overwhelmed by the virus and "catch
a cold".
The following are factors know to decrease immune
function: stress, inadequate sleep, excessive sugar
intake, exposure to allergens (food and environmental),
toxicity, trans fats, coffee consumption, and smoking
tobacco.
Think about the times when you tend to catch a
cold. Perhaps you are working very hard to finish
a project by a certain date. As a result you are
sleeping less, drinking more coffee to make up for
the lack of sleep, and eating sweets because they
are convienent and comforting. This is the perfect
set up for falling ill. The ideal way to avoid catching
a cold is to keep your immune system functioning
optimally.
| Natural
Immunity |
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| 
A high functioning immune system is not accomplished
by getting a flu shot but rather by eating
a diet of whole, rather than processed, foods
abundant in fresh vegetables and fruits.
High functioning immunity is also accomplished
by getting plenty of sleep (8 hours each
night is required by most adults), and
regular moderate exercise. It is also important
to drink plenty of pure water - 8 glasses
per day is a useful guideline.
These are guidelines for healthy living
that most of us know well but may have
difficulty actually doing regularly. When
we become ill, we may not associate the
illness with the absence of healthy lifestyle
choices, but instead blame it on the cold
virus of the year. As cold and flu season
comes upon us this is a good time to take
inventory of your lifestyle choices and
see where you can make changes that will
strengthen your natural immunity.
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| Herbal
and Nutritional Support |
|
When
you are unable to eat, rest and exercise
adequately, additional support may be needed.
Herbs and nutritional supplements can be
used to further boost your immune system.
I designed The Art of Health Echinacea
Lemon Ginger Tea to specifically support
the immune system when battling a cold
virus. If I am ill or on the verge of becoming
so, I drink it by the potful.
Sometimes drinking tea is not practical.
For these circumstances I recommend two
supplements; Congaplex by Standard Process,
and garlic (I use an enteric coated tablet
which means that you do not taste or smell
the garlic but still get the benefits).
These work beautifully as cold and flu
prevention, and to diminish the severity
of illness if it has already begun.
Order Echinacea Lemon Ginger Tea
|
| Relief
While You Sleep! |
|
One
of my favorite natural therapies for colds
is the Warming Sock Treatment. Also known
as the Wet Sock Treatment or Magic Socks
(for kids), this simple home therapy activates
immune system cells, decreases nasal and
sinus congestion, and relieves pain. The
treatment is also sedating, supporting
a good night's sleep.
What follows is a simple set of instructions
for doing the Warming Sock Treatment. A
more detailed description of the treatment
can be found in my book Herbal Medicine
for Health and Well-being. Detailed instructions
are also included in the Warming Sock Kit.
Soak your feet in a basin or tub of warm
water for 5 -10 minutes. Then soak a pair
of thin cotton socks completely with cold
water and wring them out thoroughly so
they do not drip. Place the wet cotton
socks on your feet. Then pull on a pair
of dry wool socks and go directly to bed
keeping yourself well covered. Leave the
socks on overnight. You will find that
the cotton socks are dry in the morning.
The Warming Sock Kit
|
| 10
Tips For A High Energy Day |
|
In
the spirit of keeping immunity strong,
I offer "Ten Tips for a High Energy
Day". These are 10 simple and practical
steps you can take to improve your energy
level and natural defense systems. There's
even a handy clip-out list that you can
post on your refrigerator or at your desk.
If you have not already received these
tips in PDF format, send us an email with
10 Tips as the subject line and we'll make
sure you receive them.
10 Tips for a High Energy Day
|
|
Cold
and Flu Season
is Here! |
|
|
It's that time
of year again when it seems that everyone
catches a cold and that becoming ill yourself
is unavoidable.
Each winter, news is reported of the presence
of ever more virulent cold viruses. Cold
viruses are indeed all around us. However,
the common idea that it is the presence of
the virus that causes us to become ill is
only half of the story.
The other half of the story addresses the
strength of each person's immune system.
In other words, their ability to defend themself
from the virus.
In this bulletin I discuss ways that you
can boost your immune system naturally and
avoid being the next one in your community
to fall ill.
|
|
Yours in Health,
Laura Washington, ND
|
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