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Posts Tagged ‘flu’

The holidays bring on memories of warm and inviting scents that stay with us throughout the years.  One of those popular scents is cinnamon.  Yes, it smells warm and inviting, but did you know that there are actually several health benefits from this ancient spice?

It is good for the body both inside and out. Cinnamon has proven to protect against viruses and bacteria. It is a great staple to use during the cold and flu season to help avoid seasonal illnesses.  It is packed with anti-oxidants also to help battle free radicals that we are exposed to every day from our environment.

It is also great for increasing and improving circulation to help keep hands and feet toasty warm.  It is believed that because of this is can help releive arthritis pain. It is also an energizing spice that can help you keep pace with the hectic holiday season.  Studies are also showing that the scent of cinnamon boosts brain function, and can help improve memory.

Taken internally, it has been used to help in keeping blood sugar levels at a healthy number which can be helpful for managing diabetes.  Cinnamon also helps increase muscle mass by assisting the body in burning fat by increasing metabolism; improving the body’s muscle to fat ratio.

So go ahead and indulge in one of the season’s most popular spices and keep your holidays healthy!

After the excitement of the holidays, it’s time to settle in for a long, cold winter. With all of that come the nasty bugs that float around everywhere: in school, in our offices, in our homes. It’s almost impossible to visit the doctor for every tiny ailment, and it some cases, it does more harm than good.

Luckily, there are several  herbs with natural ‘antibiotic’ properties to prevent and treat discomforts such as the common cold, sore throats, and even the flu! Garlic, Wild Indigo, Olive Leaf, and Goldenseal have both anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

Garlic can help fight against the viruses and bacteria that cause the common cold and influenza. It can also help thin the buildup of mucus that causes ear infections and sinusitis. They can be used as a preventative in the form of a capsule or a tea, and you can easily increase the dosage as symptoms begin to appear, under the supervision of your natural health expert. Garlic can be eaten raw, or used in everyday cooking.

Goldenseal, also called orangeroot, is considered an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic, which is why it is often recommended in the treatment of the mucus membranes in the upper respiratory tract. It also increases the effectiveness of other herbs that it is combined with.  This herb, however, should not be taken longer than 14 days in a row, some herbologists say.  If you have a heart condition, high blood pressure, are nursing and/or pregnant you should not take this herb.

Wild Indigo stimulates the body’s immune system, and is extremely helpful in combating upper respiratory ailments such as tonsillitis and pharyngitis. It can be taken in liquid form, usually 30 to 40 drops several times a day. It can also be combined with Echinacea.

Olive Leaf can be considered the “jack of all trades” when it comes to fighting infections. It treats all types: bacterial, viral, and fungal. Follow the recommended dosages on the label for maximum effectiveness.

Combining these supplements with plenty of Vitamin C-producing fruits and veggies, such as oranges, grapefruit, strawberries, broccoli and red and green peppers is an even better line of defense. The importance of Vitamin C to boost the immune system cannot be stressed enough!

Also, a cup of green tea with honey and lemon is chock full of antioxidants to help fight off many throat ailments, and the honey soothes a sore throat and the coughs that come with it. And ginger is helpful in combating chills that come along with a fever-inducing illness, such as the flu.

Utilizing these tips can help you get through the winter with fewer sick days, and hopefully fewer trips to the doctor!

The above article is for informational purposes only:  Although these herbs are generally considered safe for most people, as always, if you are currently taking any prescription medicines under a doctor’s care, are pregnant, nursing or suffer from other health conditions, you should check with your doctor before adding these to your arsenal against winter illnesses.