The common cold is an infection of the nose and throat that is caused by any one of more than 300 constantly mutating viruses. Your immune system is your best weapon against the common cold.

The viruses that cause the common cold are spread via the hands or through the air when you talk, sneeze, cough or breathe. The symptoms of the common cold commence one to four days after the virus has infected you. A dry or sore throat is usually the first symptom of the common cold and this may occur a day or so before other symptoms.

The other symptoms of the common cold include runny nose (which at first is clear and watery but soon thickens), nasal congestion, headache, sneezing (which is your body’s attempt to clear the nasal passages), coughing, fever, scratchy throat, sore throat, general soreness and hoarseness.

When carrying the common cold the most important thing is to rest and drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated. It is also important to continue eating a well balanced diet even though you might not feel that hungry, those nutrients are going to give your body the energy and tools it needs to help remove the infection from your body.

(Makes 2 Litres)

Tea’s similar to this have been used for centuries to help alleviate the symptoms associated with colds and flu’s. They help boost the immune system and help sooth sore throats and clear nasal congestion.

• 2 Litres water Juice of 4 lemons
• 2 ginger teabags
• 3 cloves of garlic 5cm piece of ginger
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 tablespoon honey

Method:

1. Boil water.

2. Chop garlic, ginger and cinnamon in a food processor and add to boiling water.

3. Add lemon juice and honey.

 4. Boil for 5 minutes and strain to serve.

Our delicious & healthy recipes are presented by the Golden Door Health Retreat, Queensland, Australia.

 

Echinacea is now well-known as a herbal therapy for treating symptoms of the common cold and other upper respiratory tract infections. It shortens the duration of the common cold and reduces the severity of the symptoms. It can also help to prevent the common cold (and possibly other upper respiratory tract infections).

Echinacea is a potent stimulant of the immune system. It stimulates the body to produce more infection-fighting compounds such as interferon’s and interleukins that combat the viruses that cause the common cold. It also stimulates the production of every type of white blood cell that destroys cold-causing viruses. It is through these actions that colds can be prevented or if infected a faster recovery would generally occur. We have a variety of Echinacea products available which range in strength and size.

Vitamin C helps to prevent influenza infection and shortens the duration of symptoms in influenza patients. One human study found that dockworkers receiving daily vitamin C supplements for ten months had a 28% reduction in their rate of influenza infections compared to fellow workers who did not receive vitamin C. In those workers who did contract influenza, the duration of influenza infection symptoms was, on average, 10% less in those workers receiving vitamin C.

The usual dosage of Vitamin C is between 1,000 - 3,000 mg per day for the prevention of influenza and between 3,000 - 5,000 mg per day for treating existing influenza infection. However Vitamin C does need to be used with caution for people who have haemochromatosis (people that absorb to much iron) as Vitamin C can increase the amount of iron which is absorbed from the diet.

Echinacea Forte 3000 - 40 Tablets Blackmores

Echinacea relieves the symptoms and reduces the duration of colds and mild infections of the respiratory tract. Blackmores Echinacea Forte 3000 has been developed to replicate the recognised therapeutic dose of Echinacea purpurea as published in the German commission E Monograph 1989. The recognised therapeutic dose for Echinacea purpurea fresh plant juice is between 6-9 ml per day.

Click here to find out more about this product.

Thexton Price: $13.74

Vitelle Sugarless C tablets assist in the treatment of colds and flu by reducing the severity and duration of symptoms. Vitamin C may assist wound healing and tissue repair and helps maintain healthy teeth and gums. Vitamin C is an antioxidant which can act as a free radical scavenger. Vitamin C is not stored in the body and regular intake is desirable.

Click here to find out more about this product

Thexton Price: $4.75

Vitaminis Cold and Flu - 50 Tablets Herron

Vita-minis Cold & Flu with Echinacea, Zinc & Vitamin C is a great tasting lime flavoured supplement. Echinacea, Zinc and Vitamin C have been shown to play a role in supporting and enhancing healthy immune function and can help to reduce the severity and duration of colds and flu, as well as aid recovery during convalescence. This product provides more than double the Australian recommended dietary intake (RDI) of vitamin C for children from 2 to 11 years in just one tablet and 100% of the Australian RDI of Zinc for children from 2 to 11 years at the recommended doses. It has been specially formulated using buffered forms of Vitamin C that are gentle on the stomach and is sugar free and tooth friendly.

Click here to find out more about this product

Thexton Price: $7.16

Life Style Questioner

Name: Darren Ascot

Age: 45

Occupation: Labourer

Lifestyle philosophy: To keep optimal health and prevent illness and disease.

What products do you use and why?

Echinacea Forte (Blackmores) - To prevent cold and flu during winter

Barley Grass (Lifestream) – To help provide vitamins and minerals that might be lacking in my diet.

Fitness regime: Cycling five days a week for one hour. Weights at the gym three times a week. Diet structure: Mainly protein and reduced amounts of carbohydrates, I try to focus on a balanced diet.

What product could you not do without?

Echinacea Forte (Blackmores) - As it helps prevent cold and flu during winter that could impact on my family and income.