Make Sure You Don't Catch a Cold

As long summer days give way to autumn, the common cold season will soon be here again, so what can we do to protect ourselves?


When it is colder outside there is a tendency for people to spend more time indoors. This encourages common cold and other viruses to spread from person to person. One infected person can soon infect another - and another - and another, and so on, until pretty much everybody is infected, but it doesn't really need to be that way.


There are more than a hundred viruses that can cause the common cold, which can probably manifest itself in as many symptoms. These range from runny noses to more serious implications including sore throats, headaches, blocked passages and general debility.


Most people will get a cold sometimes, whilst some will go from one cold to another, with little respite. Some will feel only a mild effect whilst others will become quite poorly and be temporarily incapacitated.


So what can we do to protect ourselves from this annual onslaught? As with most afflictions, prevention is better than cure. A healthy lifestyle will help to build up your immune system and diet of course is important. You should include the recommended five servings of fresh fruit and vegetables per day all the time, and not just start to do so when you feel unwell. Your aim should be, not to get unwell in the first place. It is obvious that you should not smoke, but you should also strive to avoid smoky atmospheres. Take a break from the central heating by getting out in the fresh air, and taking a brisk walk. Regular exercise is good for you and will also reduce stress which can affect your resistance.


If your diet is deficient in any way you might consider taking a multivitamin. Much has been written about how Vitamin C can assist in combating common colds. Although you should get sufficient from your intake of fresh fruit and vegetables, you may benefit from a supplementary dosage, once an attack is under way. Some people consider Echinacea to be a successful preventative and treatment, whilst others have found blueberries and elderberries to be a natural help.


So, a well balanced diet, plenty of healthy outdoor exercise and avoiding getting overstressed should help you through the winter. By the way, do not forget to have enough sleep. But remember that by protecting yourself from the common cold, you will also be assisting in helping to protect yourself from less common, but more severe afflictions.


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common cold
natural health
common cold

Bananarama

As a pre-packaged food, to promote natural health, there can be nothing more satisfying than bananas. What is more, bananas are a source of instant energy. When tennis players are on court, playing an arduous match, it is bananas they turn to between games and sets, for a natural health boost.


Contrary to what some people think, bananas do not grow on trees. They are large plants or natural health providing herbs. Bananas are so versatile, and mix well with other fruits, as well as being delicious on their own. We are consistently being advised that we should eat five fruits and vegetables per day, and bananas fit in so well with this requirement.


Bananas health benefits include vitamins B6 and vitamin C, as well as being a natural health provider of fibre, magnesium, and potassium. There is little wonder that bananas are a favourite amongst sportsmen and women. The public at large find bananas are easy to digest to provide a natural health alternative snack to manufactured sweets.


Fortunately there are few people who are allergic to the ubiquitous bananas, which seem to be generally safe for infants as well as adults. Sometimes bananas are the first solid food introduced to a babies, to become established as part of their natural health diet. It seems that parents seldom need to ask their offspring if the would like a banana twice! Always assuming that there are any left when they have had their share!


So, if promoting your families natural health is on the agenda, as it most certainly should be, don't forget to include bananas which have so much to offer.


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natural health bananas
natural health
natural health bananas

St John's Wort - Not for Every Body!

St John's Wort is sometimes known as a miracle herb because it is used for so many afflictions.


Traditional Chinese medical practitioners have used St John's Wort for over 4000 years. It has more recently come into its own in the West as a treatment for mild to moderate depression. Some people take St John's Wort as a natural alternative to Prozac, and in Germany, where St John's Wort is an approved treatment, it outsells Prozac by about 10:1.


Until recently it was thought that the hypericin content of St John's Wort was responsible for its antidepressant effect. However, more recent studies are inconclusive, and it is not known exactly how the herb works in alleviating depression. What is certain is that there are millions of people, all over the world who are taking St John's Wort and reaping benefits. Because of the herbs popularity, research studies are widely available, and excellent books have been written with up to date information.


Researchers continue their endeavours to discover the secret of St John's Wort, but to its many beneficiaries, why it works is not as important as that it does work! Moreover, it seems that although its therapeutic effects are best known in the West for treating depression, it is useful for many other conditions. Herbal healers have used St John's Wort to heal the body from ancient times until the present day, noting its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties. Preparations for internal use include tinctures, infusions and most popularly, capsules. Ointments, creams and oils are available for external use.


Just because a product is natural does not necessarily mean that it is good for you. Even if it is it may not be good for everybody. Light skinned people, in particular should be aware that St John's Wort may react with sunlight to affect skin and eye problems. It has also been suggested that St John's Wort, as with some other preparations, can react with prescription and over the counter medicines. Therefore, if you are taking any other medicines, or have any doubt whatsoever about taking St John's Wort; consult your doctor, herbalist, or pharmacist beforehand.


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St Johns Wort
natural health
St Johns Wort

Pineapples for Health

Boost your health with pineapple containing bromelain, which has excellent anti-inflammatory qualities.


Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains. Because of its anti-inflammatory effect it is useful in soothing muscles which are sore due to inflammation, and is said to be helpful in relieving rheumatoid arthritis. Fresh pineapple may also relieve indigestion, because the bromelain breaks down the amino acids bonded in proteins.


Because of its high vitamin C content, fresh pineapple can help to protect the body from free radicals. Many people take vitamin C to protect them from, or lessen the severity of colds and related afflictions.


It has been said that a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down, but this is certainly not true of fresh pineapples. They do not require added sugar because they are delicious on their own. Furthermore, it seems that the heat used in the canning process, considerably reduces the bromelain content, so stick to fresh pineapples, and you won't go far wrong.


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pineapple bromelain
natural health
pineapple bromelain