Beating winter colds with Echinacea tincture, Plantain and Red Clover

With autumn/winter upon us, health wise, our thoughts turn to coughs and colds and finding ways to help battle the bugs! Children back to school, college or university (fresher's ‘flu), weather increasingly inclement, darker evenings and later dawns, all these factors seem to increase our likelihood of catching ‘a cold'. It's our immune system; our own built-in self defence that protects us from illness. Eating healthy food, plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (particularly garlic which has antiviral and antibacterial properties and onions which act as natural decongestants), taking exercise and having enough rest are all key elements in maintaining good health; however there are other precautions you can take too.

Echinacea tincture to boost the immune system

Echinacea has traditionally been used to boost the immune system, to help our bodies stave off germs and ‘bugs'. Echinacea is antiseptic, anti-bacterial and has antibiotic properties. Echinacea does not act directly upon a virus but exerts an antiviral effect by stimulating an immune response. Taking Echinacea tincture regularly over the winter months may reduce the risk of becoming susceptible to catching a cold or any infection and if you do it may help you to ‘get over it' much more quickly. Take 15 drops of Echinacea tincture in a little water per day as a maintenance dose, taken perhaps 5 days a week and not at weekends or 3 weeks out of 4, whichever you find easiest to remember. If you are unlucky and succumb to a cold increase the dose to perhaps 10 drops every hour until you start to feel better. If you have type ‘O' blood group you may find Echinacea tincture doesn't work as well for you but Plantain tincture may work very well.

Plantain tincture for congestion and that 'blocked up' feeling

Plantain (Plantago) tincture is a fantastic herb to use. The cold virus can affect your sinuses, make your head feel heavy and give you a 'blocked up' feeling. Plantain is excellent at breaking down congestion and compaction so may help to clear your head and sinuses. Plantain is a gentle expectorant, soothing inflamed and sore membranes making it ideal for coughs and mild bronchitis. Plantain is anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, antibacterial, demulcent and expectorant.

Red Clover tincture to ease sore throats and coughs

Red Clover tincture may help if you are prone to sore throats and coughs as it is anti-inflammatory with a special affinity for throats and salivary glands.