Your Natural First Aid Kit

With winter upon us I decided to compile a list of some beneficial foods and some timely reminders to nurture our bodies and protect the family against the winter colds and flu’s.

Garlic – (Allium sativum) is one of the best natural antibiotics we have. Garlic in its raw form can be used medicinally to help boost up the immune system. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal, cholesterol lowering, can help reduce high blood pressure and is great for winter colds, flu’s and bronchial coughs.

It is best to pick out the garlic with the purplest colouring as this shows a higher amount of the medicinal component, allicin. Most who cook with garlic often stir fry it with onions etc at the start of cooking and this enhances flavour but unfortunately loses most of its medicinal constituents. So for an extra medicinal effect, add some freshly chopped raw garlic to your meal just before serving to reap all the benefits.

Ginger – (Zingiber officinale) is famous throughout Asiafor its ability to help the body in fighting an infection. Ginger assists the body in perspiration; it opens the pores and allows the body to sweat to break a fever. Ginger is most effective in the early stages of an illness when there are only a few key symptoms such as a stiff neck or headache, runny nose, swollen glands or sore throat. Rug up, have a fresh ginger tea or hot toddy (below) and get some rest.

Vital Immune Savers : Socks, breeze blocks, hats and mats.

Why?……. The MYTH? – Remember Colds are caused by viruses and you may have read of the ‘updated’ thoughts that ‘colds can not be caught from the cold, wind and or wet hair’. This is true, HOWEVER, a misconception according to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Protecting your body’s vital energy includes your core temperature; exposure to wind and cold lowers that core temperature and weakens our defences.

If you are ‘run down’, tired, stressed and generally low in Qi (energy), you are more likely to be affected by external pathogens such as cold and wind. Carelessness such as going out in the cold with wet hair or bare feet further exposes our bodies and compromises our defence. A poor diet can contribute to this picture due to nutritional deficiencies. When your body’s natural defences are low (Qi and your immune system) you ARE more susceptible to colds, flu’s and whatever else is going around the neighbourhood.

Manuka Honey is the most medicinal honey to use due to its anti-microbial properties. This can be bought at Noosa Holistic Health.

Eucalyptus Oil can be added to a bowl of hot water or vaporizer to let the aroma clear blocked noses. Essential oils of peppermint and ginger are also helpful for relieving congestion.

Other Immune boosting foods for coughs and colds are lemon, turmeric, onions (have similar medicinal qualities to garlic), cinnamon, mustard seeds and fennel seeds.

These can all be increased in your diet during the winter months.

Hot Toddy – Ginger, garlic (1/2 tsp each), fresh lemon juice and honey can all be added together in a mug of hot water for a perfect winter drink.

(A sprinkle of Cayenne pepper to get the blood flowing is optional.)

Therapeutic doses of supplements such as Vitamin C, Zinc, and medicinal herbs such as Echinacea, Golden seal, Cats claw etc can be professionally prescribed with the right combinations and dosages to personally suit your needs by a Naturopath.

Prevention is better than cure. Therefore a healthy balance of body, mind and spirit is needed by Healthy Eating, Exercise, Fun, Laughter, Community and Love.

Stay healthy and support your immune systems.

Home Made Cough Syrup (5 minutes to make)

Ingredients

1 Onion, peeled and chopped

3 cloves chopped garlic

Honey (Preferably Manuka, but a non commercial honey will do)

1 tsp fennel seeds

1 tsp caraway seeds (optional)

To Make

1. Place the chopped onion, garlic and seeds in a jam jar.

2. Pour enough honey over until the onion is just covered.

3. Put an airtight lid on and shake jar. Leave over night.