As most of you realise we have had a reasonable flu season due to people being more careful about hygiene, wearing masks, social distancing and wearing face masks. While catching a flu is still a threat, the major threat to health is still Covid 19 (or Sars 2) is one of the current viruses that are travelling worldwide.

We are in Changing times. Life as we knew it, is changing daily. It may be important to be up to date with health protocols, but remember ‘normal’ flu hygiene still reigns, as the most practical way to avoid catching and spreading flu, colds or any contagious pathogen.

While most people have not been severely ill with the current viruses, coughing, sore throats, swollen lymphatic glands and muscular aches and headaches appear to be the main symptoms. Those at most risk are the elderly and those with compromised immune systems. Smoking dries the lungs, fills your filters with toxins and may make them more susceptible to infection, so now is the time to stop!

We would like to remind our patients that most easily caught viruses, including the cold and flu virus spread very easily, by tiny droplets coughed or sneezed into the air and onto hands and surfaces. The virus may then remain alive for some time. It is important to try to minimise the spread of disease by covering coughing and sneezing, disposing of tissues, washing hands frequently and avoiding touching your eyes, mouth or nose unless hands are clean and then washing again. Remember good old fashioned soap (e.g. Sunlight soap), washing hands thoroughly and drying properly is one of the proven methods to help reduce the spread of germs.

But if you do catch a cold here are some helpful hints!

To give your body its best chance of recovery, nothing beats REST! This helps your immune system to fight the virus, also warmth, nourishing and easy to digest food (soups are good), warm soothing teas (honey and lemon is an oldy but a goody). A heat wheat and a warm bath or shower can help with muscle aches (drop a few drops of eucalyptus in the corner to help unblock your nose). Keep your nasal passages moist which seems help. Salt air (sea air with its clean salty air, a salt lamp or a humidifier which appear to help some symptoms. Adequate exposure to sunlight (and not getting sunburnt) may also help to increase your body’s capacity to make vitamin D which has been shown in many studies to help our immune system to function better. For people that avoid the sun due to long work hours etc may consider eating foods that can help your vitamin D levels to be optimal.

Soldiering on and exposing others to a contagious illness (such as your co workers, friends and family) and then making them sick is not appreciated by those subsequently infected!

If you do become ill and feel that you need help with your symptoms, please make an appointment with one of our Practitioners. They can then investigate your particular symptoms and tailor a treatment and give advice, acupuncture and/or herbal medicine and herbal teas that can help ease the symptoms and assist with recovery. We have face masks in the clinic, hand sanitiser and access to hand washing facilities to reduce the risk of infection, please ask for a mask if you require one.

IF you require advice or herbs please speak to your Practitioner.

Keep calm and carry on