Herbal Medicines to Fight Winter infections

                                                                            

Cold winter weather makes us much more susceptible to infections such as cold and flu viruses. There is no cure for them but treatment with herbal medicines can help prevent and reduce their severity.

Herbal treatment offers a two prong approach. First, herbal medicines can boost our immune system so strengthening the body's ability to fight infection. Second, herbs can be very effective antimicrobial agents killing pathogenic viruses and bacteria.

This second action has a further benefit of not only killing the cold or flu virus but also preventing secondary bacterial infections. This avoids asking GPs to prescribe antibiotics. With the increase in antibiotic resistance, we should reduce our use of antibiotics and preserve the body's ability to fight more serious bacterial infections.

A Medical Herbalist has access to a wide range of different herbs with both immune enhancing and antimicrobial action so that a unique mix of herbs can be selected to strengthen your whole body in fighting infections.

Alternatively you could take your own preventative action. One effective treatment is Echinacea and Elderberry syrup. Both herbs have immune boosting actions with potent antiviral and antibacterial properties. Taking both is a powerful therapeutic combination.


(Photos by Jo Dyer reallyusefulgardens.co.uk)