Echinacea: nature’s antiviral for immune support

I HAVE never seen as many cases of flu and upper respiratory tract infections as I have this year. Every second customer at the shop has or knows someone who has a dose. Many of you will be trying to treat the symptoms, or trying to prevent getting the flu or a cold due to contact with so many people.

How do you know that you have the flu? The main difference between a cold and the flu is that you will be aching, feverish, and tired if it’s the flu. Other symptoms include coughing, and sore throat. Symptoms can last for 8-10 days and it’s not uncommon to feel unwell for a week or two afterwards. Try to stay out of circulation, get plenty of rest, and drink lots of fluids. Stop the spread of the virus by washing your hands and covering your face when coughing and sneezing.

Viruses tend to take their own time to work through the body but natural anti-viral remedies can help you to reduce the severity of the symptoms and the length of time that you have it, and hopefully prevent some of you from contracting the virus in the first place.

The flu is caused by a virus, so now is a good time to remind you about the anti-viral remedies that you might have in your cupboard. Anti-viral remedies include Echinacea, Comvita Olive Leaf, Vitamin D, and Elderberry and are all excellent to take. Times like this you need an arsenal so if you have a combination of these remedies in the cupboard I would take them all. You can also take Vitamin C and Zinc if you have them.

A Vogel Echinaforce Echinacea is a herbal remedy that customers trust for immune support and use every winter. This and their new product Echinacea Hot Drink are both well-researched in the treatment and prevention of cold and flu infections when taken for a period of time. Echinaforce can also help to prevent recurrent infection.

Complications of the flu can include pneumonia, which can be life threatening for elderly people or people with certain medical conditions. Other complications include bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis and middle ear infections. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms are not improving.

Look after yourself. Always check if you’re on medication before taking supplements.