027 463 9229
Juelle Hunt
Naturopath & Medical Herbalist
Vibrational Energy Therapist
BNatMed, MNZAMH
(09) 2357658 or 027 463 9229

Prevention of Winter flu and Colds is a controversial topic

Is there a cure for the flu or the common cold?  Perhaps we should be asking ourselves not about cure but prevention, Wintertime does bring increased potential to get a cold or the flu  by building the body’s resistance to illness and strengthening the immune system we can help to keep ourselves well and to limit the effect of viruses in our body should we become sick – it makes sense and herbs can do this.

The latest news on Winter Wellness... Costly cold meds no better that rest and paracetamol reports Consumer NZ – this is not surprising and we have known for a long time that natural medicines and foods like honey and garlic work well.  In 2011 there was a report that showed that good old honey used particularly for children worked better than cough medicine for sore throats and coughs, so our mums were right when they gave us hot lemon with honey and we are so fortunate to have access to good quality honey in New Zealand

Cost and expense is always and issue, however if you are going to purchase a remedy to assist with your Winter ails then you want to know your money is well spent and what you are purchasing is effective and safe.  For safe, natural and effective Winter medicine and a dose of good advice contact me Ph 027 463 9229, email Juelle@revitalizehealth.co.nz or visit my website www.revitalizehealth.co.nz.

Echinacea has antiviral activity against influenza

Echinacea has antiviral activity against influenza viruses in vitro. In a recent randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial compared a new Echinacea formulation was found to be just as effective as tamiflu for acute influenza.   I would encourage people to visit your herbalist or naturopath to get good quality echinature it is important to get the right dose appropriate for your health circumstances.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4528044/

Echinacea is an immune modulator, it enhances the immune system and may assist in prevention of bacteria, viruses, parasites and protozoa.  In prevention and as an immune booster in clinical trials at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland Oregon determined that 70% reduction in Winter incidences of infections took place when Echinacea was taken routinely throughout the Winter.  I advise visiting a qualified herbalist, quality, dose and safety are important when looking to get a good effective results this may vary in each individual person and Echinacea may be paired up with other herbs to give a more effective treatment.  Not safe for all as some asthmatic patients may react to echinature that has been made with flower tops, your herbalist will be able to advise.

Astragalus is an immunostimulatnt used in chronic and viral infection

Astragalus has been a foundational herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine for hundreds of years. It is one of the important "Qi tonifying" adaptogenic herbs from the Chinese materia medica. Current research on Astragalus focuses on the immune stimulating capacity of its polysaccharides and saponins. First and foremost, though, it is an immunostimulant used in the treatment of chronic viral infections, common cold and flu. Astragalus increases the interferon response to viral infection and works synergistically with interferon. It also increases phagocytic activity and antibody levels and improves the functioning of natural killer cells.

Elderberry your Winter protector

My favourite elderberries are a safe and effective way of helping to prevent or minimize the symptoms of flu, clinical trials show that elderberries can reduce not only the duration of flu by prevention of the viruses sticking to our cells but also the severity.  When taken at the first sign of a virus it can really assist in reducing the length and severity of the virus, nature at its best.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3056848/

Do cough medicines work and are they suitable for Children?In May 2011 Medsafe NZ reported that Cough medicines containing dextromethorphan and pheylephirine could not be sold to children under 12 years of age.  It was found that there was no evidence that they worked in children and in rare cases they could cause severe reactions in children under six years of age (Medsafe 2010).

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10660501

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant that acts on the cough centre in the brain to suppress a dry cough, research has determined that children who get a dose of honey cough less and sleep better than those who get cough medicine with dextromethorphan (DM), the ingredient in most over-the-counter products for coughs.

I have a range of safe, natural and effective Winter remedies for babies,  children and adults please feel free to contact me or visit my herbal dispensary.  Juelle@revitalizehealth.co.nz   www.revitalizehealth.co.nz