Essential Harmony

NEWSLETTER

"Sickies" the new 'epidemic’

Dear Health-Lover

"Sickies" the new 'epidemic’. This was the front page title in a recent issue of Business Times newspaper. Global studies indicate that short term absenteeism in the workplace is spiralling out of control. In South Africa alone it costs our economy in excess of R2-billion a year. Although causes of short term sick leave and absenteeism varies, respiratory (40%) and digestive (14%) illness seem to be the most prominent culprits.

In today's newsletter, Dr. Arien Van der Merwe will look at ways to prevent illnesses from keeping us away from work. To minimise developing colds, flu and other upper respiratory infections or allergies, we should keep our defences up and our exposure down. As Louis Pasteur said, ‘there are no infectious diseases, only decreased resistance to infection’.

Improve and maintain the optimal functioning of your immune system

The ability of your immune system to protect you against the most common illnesses is closely related to the vitamins and nutrients your body receives daily. Increase your intake of the antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin A, beta and mixed carotenes, vitamin E and selenium. Eat lots of fish (salmon, trout, sardines, pilchards, tuna, and mackerel) for omega 3, nuts, seeds (esp. flaxseed), fresh fruit and vegetables, drink a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice every day and take a daily antioxidant food supplement combination.

In addition, the following helpful hints may also significantly decrease your body's susceptibility to colds and flu: 

1.     Control your stress levels with daily relaxation techniques (5-10 minutes in the morning and evening is all you need to get started). High levels of distress suppress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to colds, flu and other infections.

2.   Do regular, moderate and enjoyable exercise, as strenuous exercise exhausts your immune system.

3.       Listen to your body by taking a break when you’re feeling under the weather.

4.       Herbs like Echinacea, garlic, chickweed, licorice root and golden seal are excellent immune system boosters. Ginseng improves general immunity against infections and as an adaptogen, also supports the body during stressful times. Regular use of ginseng seems to prevent colds and flu. There are three different herbs commonly called ginseng: Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and Siberian ‘ginseng’ (Eleutherococcus senticosus).

Your environment can increase your chances for getting colds or flu. Turn off the air conditioners to allow the air to humidify, or put your own humidifier in your office and at home. A bowl with water will already help increase the moisture in the air around you. Dry air and smoke irritate your mucous membranes and this may lead to catarrh.

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What about the flu vaccine?

The most important tool in mainstream medicine for fighting the chameleon-like flu virus is immunisation by a killed virus vaccine, often including the traces of the animal protein on which it was cultured. A few of the most common flu virus strains are identified in the Northern hemisphere during their winter. The vaccine is then made from highly purified, egg-grown viruses that have been made non-infectious. As a medical doctor specialising in natural, integrative medicine, I’m not a proponent of the flu vaccine, except maybe for those in specific high risk groups.

It is important to know that the flu vaccine does not prevent the common cold.

Prevention is the best cure:

Cold and flu viruses can be transmitted in the following ways: touching respiratory secretions on a person's skin (when shaking hands, for example) or environmental surfaces (such as doorknobs, kitchen counters, wash basins or handrails) and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth; also by inhaling infectious particles in the air (from a cough or sneeze).
The best way to break the chain of infection is by frequent hand washing and not touching the nose, eyes or mouth. The inner, mucous lining of the respiratory tract is the body’s first line of defence against cold and flu viruses. Drink lots of fluids, prevent air from drying out by using humidifiers, and take a vitamin A and beta carotene supplement to protect these delicate membranes.

Try these natural remedies to treat a cold, flu and sinusitis:

First Do No Harm: Stay in bed for a few days. You will recover a lot sooner. Listen to your body and rest a while. Your immune system is exhausted, too tired to fight the foreign invaders, all because of your hectic lifestyle. So take a break and relax.

Don’t exercise while you’re sick and during the recovery phase – it might strain your heart and lungs. Your body is fighting a viral war, so help it!

Drink lots of fluids, drink filtered water, fresh fruit and vegetable juice or soup. Put some eucalyptus, tea tree and peppermint oil in boiling water in a bowl, put a towel over your head and inhale the steam. This will loosen the phlegm; hydrate the mucosal lining of the airways, while disinfecting the environment. Other aromatherapy oils to try are lavender, grapefruit, rosemary and tea tree oil (put a few drops in a burner, or in the bath, or use in a carrier oil for a soothing back and shoulder massage).

Increase your intake of antioxidant food supplements: increase vitamin A to 10 000 IU’s (3mg RE activity) a day and vitamin C to 1000-2000mg a day in divided dosages. Once you are feeling better, return to your normal maintenance level.
Use medicinal herbs. Herbs like garlic, Echinacea and golden seal act as natural ‘antibiotics’ active against viruses, bacteria and even fungi. They are also decongestants that dry the mucosal linings in a gentle way. These herbal remedies are gentle, do not have side effects and support the immune system.

Try zinc lozenges to soothe a sore throat and zinc nasal spray for a runny nose. Make tea with fresh or dried sage leaves simmered in boiling water, with a teaspoon of honey, for a sore throat. You can also gargle with sage tea.

Take additional calcium in a food form or in an amino acid chelation while you’re sick. Calcium helps blood vessels to dilate, thereby preventing the cold extremities associated with colds and flu. It also relieves allergy symptoms.

Chicken soup is not only good for the soul; it may actually soothe a sore throat, clear clogged passageways, and hydrate a thirsty body. At the very least, it's good TLC, very important when you're feeling sick and sorry for yourself!

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Recipe

The following recipe will give immediate relief if you have symptoms of colds, flu, thickened mucous, sinusitis, or muscle aches, pain and even fever:

Mix together a pinch each of ginger, cinnamon, mustard and turmeric with a fresh clove of garlic (optional), a little lemon juice and honey in hot water – it makes for a delightful spicy drink. Add a pinch of sage and thyme if the mucous is yellow or green. Drink this regularly until you feel better. Use fresh spices that smell spicy. If it smells like dust, or looks old, throw it out, as all the healing properties are long gone.

From: Health & Happiness (E-book & book) and Geluk & Gesondheid written by Dr Arien van der Merwe. Click on the links to order the book.

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For more information, or to read a much more comprehensive article, please click here, or visit Dr. van der Merwe's web site:

Dr Arien van der Merwe
MBChB (Pretoria) FRSPH (London) MISMA (UK)
Director:
Health Stress Management (Pty) Ltd
Web-site: www.HealthStressWellness.com
E-mail: arienvdm@samedical.co.za

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