By Allison Tannis
No More Sick Days, Mom!
Help to keep viruses away
When the school bell rings this fall, will you be there to help your kids, or sick in bed? Be prepared for the upcoming cold and flu season with a strong immune system and effective natural remedies on-hand.
Schools and office buildings are like Petri dishes for viruses; colds and flu are common viruses found inside these buildings. Stuck inside for long hours this fall and winter, we cluster in close proximity, creating an easy environment for viruses to spread. A simple sneeze can be the culprit.
The common cold can be caused by a number of viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract (throat, sinuses and lungs). The flu is caused by influenza or influenza-like viruses and leads to a number of symptoms including fever, aches and mucous in the upper respiratory tract.
Since the common cold and flu are viruses, they can not be treated with antibiotics. Our own defence mechanisms have to fight off these viruses. When a virus enters your body, it must pass through the nose and throat. Here you’ll find mucous and cilia (small hairs that beat causing the mucous to flow like a river). The mucous traps these viruses and the cilia force them out of the body. However, sometimes a virus can elude these defences and reach their ultimate destination – your cells. A virus replicates by first invading a cell and then using the cell as a manufacturing plant. After making a number of copies of itself, a virus will kill the cell it has invaded and head back out to find more cells to invade.
The immune system is very effective at recognizing viruses and activating an arsenal of white blood cells to destroy them. But often before this immune reaction occurs, the virus has had sufficient time to infect a number of cells and you are already feeling a little ill.
How can you help your immune system? Keep it healthy. A healthy immune system has a full regiment of white blood cells ready for action. A diet rich in a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables and good quality protein can ensure that your body has the building blocks (vitamins, antioxidants and amino acids) it needs to keep this regiment at full capacity.
Herbal remedies are well-known to boost the immune system. Echinacea, astralagus and cat’s claw are among the most commonly used herbs for immune support. Mushrooms are also growing in popularity as an immune enhancing nutrient source.
Did you know that 70 percent of your immune system is in your digestive tract? This fall you’ll want to ensure this part of your body is healthy. Probiotics, the good bacteria that inhabit your intestinal tract, are very helpful at improving your immune system. Probiotics such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria promote immune health. Include yogurt or probiotic supplements in your remedy cupboard.
Unfortunately, sometimes a healthy immune system is not enough. The common cold is a frequent illness. On average, adult Canadians suffers from one to three colds each year. Children can suffer from four to 10 colds each year. What can you do if you do get a cold?
Clinical research has proven the effectiveness of a plant extract that you may not be familiar with that has the ability to reduce the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections caused by colds. Pelargonium sidoides (EPs 7630) is a plant from the geranium family that has been used in South Africa for many years as a remedy to alleviate upper respiratory ailments such as tonsillitis, bronchitis and sinusitis. Today’s studies prove that the traditional use of this plant was warranted. Pelargonium sidoides can reduce the duration and severity of many upper respiratory illnesses by half.
Scientists have also found that Pelargonium sidoides has antibacterial and immune enhancing effects. How does it do this? It may have to do with the positive effect of phagocytosis, a major mechanism used by the immune system to remove pathogens. In simple terms, phagocytosis of viruses by white blood cells is similar to how PacMan used to gobble up ghosts.
The common cold causes an inflammatory reaction in the upper respiratory tract, which results in an increase production of mucous. Unfortunately, this can cause congestion and create an environment perfect for secondary infections such as bronchitis. Bronchitis is a serious problem and can lead to other health complications if not treated effectively. In a study of 468 adults with acute bronchitis, Pelargonium sidoides greatly reduced the severity of the illness. A second study found Pelargonium sidoides reduced the severity of bronchitis symptoms and shortened the duration of working inability for nearly two days. Pelargonium sidoides appears to also be effective against tonsillitis. Treatment reduced the severity of symptoms and shortened the duration of tonsillitis in children by two days.
Imagine a fall when the kids go to school everyday and you enjoy never having to take a sick day? Pack the kid’s lunch bags with healthy foods, fill up the bathroom hand soap container and stock up on natural remedies for colds and the flu – and enjoy being healthy this fall.
Allison Tannis
Allison Tannis, BSc, MSc is a nutritional scientist and educator. She is the author of Vitality: Quest for a Healthy Diet, and loving aunt to three school-aged, flu-catching boys.
