More cold n flu advice

Many people are sensitive to the change of seasons. This month's newsletter will cover some (hopefully) familiar remedies plus add in a couple more.

Please do forward this to your family, friends and work colleagues. Fewer coughs and colds in our work environments and schools would be a welcome change for all.

At first sign of a cold whether it be a sniffle, a shiver or a general lack of energy. 

Anas barb 200c - headache, sore muscles or chill

Hepar sulph 200c - sore throat, chills, sensitive to slightest draught, heat alternating with chill, irritable, yellow mucus.

Ferrum phos 200c- start of a fever- may be sudden and of unknown origin.

If you've missed the preventative window take these remedies as the cold progresses. You can keep using the Hepar sulph at this stage in addition to these remedies. Hepar sulph helps fight infection in the body.

Gelsemium 30c - dull, dizzy, drowsy. Chills up and down the back, hot flushed face, trembling and weakness of the body, dull headaches, no thirst.

Baptisia 30c - sick feeling all over, great muscular soreness, rapid prostration and bed feels too hard, offensive breath, can only swallow liquids and sudden high fever with fetid sweat.

Favourite children's remedies (not exclusive to kids- use above remedies if they match the symptoms more closely)

Aconite 30c - sudden high fever often after exposure to a cold wind, child is anxious or frightened, unquenchable thirst, may have cold chills with high fever

Belladonna 30c - fever with delirium. Child may strike out, thrash in the bed or the onset of the illness may seem quite violent, headaches worse light, noise, movement, generally hot, red face and no thirst

Chamomilla 30c - child will be very irritable and the pains intolerable, generally worse from cold wet air, child wants to be carried and cuddled but then may struggle to be put down.

I personally take acute remedies often as I feel my body is 'in the moment' fighting. If I take a remedy and wait 24 hours before the next dose, my body may not have had enough support. At first sign of illness, take the remedy once every half hour for a couple of hours, then reduce to once an hour if you feel stronger. Once you think you are through the worst part, drop down to once a day or just as needed. There is no need to take these remedies on a regular basis.

Additionally eat lots of garlic, cayenne pepper and other warming foods. Do not stress the body with cold foods or junk foods which will take energy away from the immune system. Drink lots of water and herb teas and as always, make sure you get enough rest.

Other immune system supports are echinacea, goldenseal (not for prolonged periods), astragalus, vit. C, zinc, and other formulas that help immunity.

Keep your remedies handy! They do you no good whatsoever sitting by the bed when you're at work and you get that uh-oh feeling going through your body. If you can't find the remedies in a 200c, get the 30c. If in doubt, take Hepar sulph and Calendula which gives general immune system support.

If you do get sick and it goes beyond first aid or if it slips into your chest, give me a call and we can do an acute prescription over the phone. +++