The Common Cold

Colds as you know are quite common! But they can be very uncomfortable and make it impossible to function normally for a few days. For some people, they turn nasty and travel downwards causing a sore throat and in vulnerable people, what began as a cold ends in a chest-infection.

A cold has a cleansing effect. It is when the immune system kicks into action throwing off bacteria, bugs, and viruses. It often happens when the seasons are changing. Summer to autumn, autumn to winter, winter to spring etc. So many people get a cold twice yearly, most usually in the spring or autumn. When this is the case, it can be likened to a preparation, the laying of a foundation the immunity needs to start defending itself against more serious illness. For this reason, the cold should be supported not suppressed. And handled naturally so that the immune system gets the boost it is looking for.

It is true that some colds, especially if experienced frequently, may not indicate heightened immunity but instead a lowered immunity from stress, poor nutrition, and becoming quite simply 'run down'. If you are getting them frequently, you need to look at your lifestyle alongside your overall health to solve the recurring problem. This might involve consulting an alternative medicine therapist for example including homeopaths.

So what can you do to beat it? Here are some tips for how to handle a cold.

* If your cold has come on from catching cold or becoming chilled from either being outside in cold weather with insufficient clothing or being exposed to a dry, cold wind or if the cold comes on suddenly out of the blue. Try the homeopathic remedy of Aconite 30c. This very often will stop it mid-track. In this situation, it is important to warm the whole body to get rid of the chill, and keep warm. It really is true that sometimes a 'hot toddy' does the trick -  a bit of brandy or whisky with hot water and a slice of lemon and a spoon of honey. Go to a warm bed and you may wake up the next day feeling alright.

* Beware, all Paracetomol-containing products and Aspirin too. My advice is NOT to take these. What happens here is that the Paracetomol does help to dry up symptoms of congestion and make you more comfortable. But it also suppresses your body's natural response-mechanism . The body produces mucus and makes you feel incapable of anything but rest - for a reason. The mucus builds up in order to surround and absorb bacteria, and it becomes so congested so that you have to blow your nose, spit up mucus and phlegm thus ridding the body of  the germs. If you dry up the mucus, then your body will have no protection (you will literally have disarmed it) and the bacteria can establish themselves more completely in your system. You will find that suppressing your head-cold will lead to sore throats, coughs, chest infections and a build up of mucus lower down your body. It moves from your head downwards.

* Instead, take things designed to help support your immune system in what it is doing.

Take Vitamin C - 1000mg once or twice a day. (Beware, juicing citrus fruits in order to get Vitamin C as they tend to cause acidity and will increase your mucus congestion)

Take Vitamin C and Zinc lozenges.

Drink plenty of water.

Take the herb Echinacea. This has natural anti-viral properties and fights infection. Echinacea is safe for children- you can buy specifically tailored children's Echinacea in the shops, which tend to be preserved with Glycerine as opposed to alochol and so taste less strong.

Another remedy for children is Sambucol (Elderberry Extract) . It is flavoured nicely and works very well.

You may also want to try Bee Propolis. A very strong substance that will fight infection. It comes in a liquid tincture or in a handy mouth spray. (The liquid does taste foul but you can add a little fruit juice to temper the taste)

Eat plenty of raw garlic. But if you cannot stand the smell - take a capsule or tablet instead.

Fill a bowl with hot steaming water, add some drops of Pine or Euclayptus Essential Oil to the bowl. Place your head over the water and inhale, and cover it with a towel. This will help to clear the airways. (Note that some essential oils may interfere or antidote homeopathic remedies. So do not do this at the same time as ingesting  remedies)

Try making up the following tea: Fill your teapot with boiling water. Grate some fresh ginger into it, add some slices of lemon, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey (MANUKA honey is the best). Drink regularly throughout the day.

* What homeopathic remedies can you try?

1. Nat-mur 30c. Take this remedy if the cold is accompanied by a cold sore. If your sinuses flare up with the cold and you have a bad headache. If you are very thirsty and worried about your health, weepy and fed -up. Take if the cold comes on at the beginning of your period. You will have clear,watery mucus and sneezing.

2. Try Allium Cepa 30c if your nose is running constantly like a tap and the end of your nose gets red and sore from blowing your nose. Your eyes may be watering and your head will have a stuffed feeling and you won't be able to concentrate.

Homeopathic remedies are very effective but there are many common-cold remedies. If you have tried Aconite, Nat-mur and Allium Cepa without success - you may need to ask  homeopath to decide for you and prescribe.

If you follow these guidelines, it would be unusual for you not to recover. In cases like this, you need extra support from a practitioner to prevent anti-biotic use and a more prolonged episode of being sick.

Taking Iron to resolve Anaemia

I will discuss anaemia in further detail later but first a quick word about iron supplements. Many people dislike taking them or find them impossible to digest as they are known to cause constipation. This can vary from mild to severe constipation. This is unacceptable to a large number of people as they may have underlying digestive problems including symptoms of Iritable Bowel Syndrome. So here are some suggestions about different forms of iron supplementation designed to bring up your haemoglobin levels withut causing nasty side-effects.

1. Try taking Spatone. This is water from a natural spring in the UK which has high levels of iron. It is very gentle and the fact that it is merely 'water' means it is free from artificial ingredients and certain chemicals which can cause stomach upset. Many midwives recommend this particular product during pregnancy. You can dissolve it in more water or fruit juice. It has a slightly metallic taste but is not unpleasant and comes in convenient sachets to take daily.

2. You may be aware that increased amounts of Vitamin C can sometimes aid in the digestion and assilimation of iron. One reason for this is that Vitamin C in a medium to large dose (1000mg upwards), can act as a natural laxative. Many fruits are rich in fibre and water content, taking a good amount of this on a daily basis will counter-act constipation.

3. Most iron tablets or capsules contain Ferrous Sulphate. The ingredient of Sulphur is a major contributor to constipation. Sulphur is a mineral in the body and necessary. But Sulphur in supplement form can be very tough to digest - the liver has terrible trouble with it as it exists naturally in the body and in foods, only in trace amounts not concentrated amounts. Switch your iron supplement and look for Ferrous Gluconate instead, which is far easier to digest and assimilate. I often recommend one excellent product Salus-Haus Floradix. Salus-Haus also do an Iron tonic that is yeast-free (suitable for women who suffer Candida) as well as an Iron tonic suitable for women who are breastfeeding. It also in liquid form and has other vitamins and nutrients added in.

4. Some people may even feel nausea after taking iron. For people who cannot digest iron at all - I recommend the Cell Salt Ferrum-phos 6x. These little tablets are made of milk sugar and are taken by dissolving in the mouth, on or under the tongue and are ingested through absorption over the mucous membranes and not the stomach. You take them 2-3x daily (or follow directions on container). They assist the body in making use of and assimilating any iron already included in one's diet. In other words, the uptake and procesing of iron which has been already digested, improves and becomes more efficient. Thus raising haemglobin in the blood. This method may not be as fast or as strong for some people with very low iron levels which need to be addressed immediately but it is a solution over time for people who have given up on the usual recommendations. If a person suffers from congestion and constipation- part of their underlying condition anyway is connected with poor assimilation of nutrients (for whatever reason) and taking this simple remedy is right for them.

5. Many people with reduced blood haemoglobin levels are deficient in B12. And when iron supplementation does not work, B12 injections are offered as a treatment. Having an adequate supply of B-vitamins nourishes many different bodily functions. Taking iron but being low in B-Vitamins will affect how quickly you recover from anaemia. Another common accompanying deficiency is Copper. Supplementation with this mineral can help raise iron levels. How to tell if you may be low in Copper? You sometimes get electric shocks when touching metals and surfaces.

6. If you have assimilation problems and digestive issues - this affects all uptake of nutrients. Without addressing these issues, you may continue to suffer bouts of anemia and all iron supplementation acts only as a temporary solution. One important factor in anaemia is to avoid tea and coffee in your diet which deplete iron in the body.

7. What are your food sources for Iron? The best solution is often to look to your food. Dried fruits such as apricots, raisins and sultanas. This is a good source for people keeping an eye on weight-loss and who experience severe bloating as a result of constipation as a result of iron supplementation. Also leafy green vegetables such as spinach, cabbage, lettuce. Nuts and seeds (in particular pumpkin seeds). And wholegrains such as wheat and millet.

8. Some cases of anaemia also have accompanying health issues such as decreased blood pressure,and low energy as well as poor digestion and chronic underlying illnesses. Homeopathy can provide solutions in the treatment of anemia while at the same time addressing issues leading to its development. I would recommend seeking out help from a professional homeopath if all else is failing.

More for Insomnia Part III

There are natural medicines that can be used as sleep-aids and which have a sedative effect. The following can help you to fall asleep:

1. Tincture of Scutellaria or Skullcap.
Take 10-15 drops in a little water before going to bed.

2. Avena Sativa Tincture (Wild Oats). This has a relaxing effect on the nervous system. It also has mild anti-depressant effects. Take 5 drops in a little water 2-3xdaily and especially before sleep.

3. Valerian-Hops Herb Tincture. Many people use this particular combination which works very well. Take drops in water before bed. for nervous or highly-strung people I would not especially advise you to take Valerian as it may stimulate rather than calm.

4. I would also recommend taking a Calcium tablet before bed, at nighttime rather than in the morning. Calcium helps the nervous system as well as strengthening the bones.

5. Try burning the essential oil of Lavender in your bedroom. or placing a few drops on your pillow for you to inhale as you drift off to sleep. Alternatively, you could add to some Sweet Almond Oil and massage into your temples.

There are many herbs in different combinations and brands available as sleep aids on the marfket in health food shops. Try experimenting with these. Some examples are Natrasleep, Natracalm, Weleda Sleep Compound etc.

Most of the above will provide some help and may even solve the problem for you. But as mentioned previously, it is better to uncover the reasons for sleeplessness and tackle these, as well as availing of temporary helps. For those with chronic sleeplessness, you must look at stress in your life and build strength and resilience to this on every level with the right support. Emotional and physical.

If you have tried everything and still the problem persists then the issue of sleeplessness goes much deeper and you may need help of a different kind- for that help, I can recommend homeopathy and consulting a homeopath in order to get help tailored to your individual form of insomnia. It works.

Other relevant posts:
Grief causing sleeplessness
Sleep interrupted by night-sweats