Health
Naturally, for your family By Kimberley Taylor
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our family may have been one of many who were affected by a particularly bad season of colds and flu last Winter. According to the Australian Department of Health, the 2017 flu season recorded the highest number of cases since 2009. The outbreak not only lead to poor attendance in schools and in the workplace, it put extra pressure on our healthcare system with a twofold increase in the number of individuals admitted to hospital in comparison to past years. The US is currently experiencing one of its worst flu seasons in almost a decade. So already many people are asking the question: how can I protect my family and myself from the flu and the common cold? SUPPORTING IMMUNE HEALTH There are some simple things we can do to support our immune health and prevent the spread of viral illness including: - drinking more water - hygiene - washing hands especially after using the bathroom, before meals and when handling food - moderate exercise - stress relief such as yoga, meditation, mindfulness - a healthy, antioxidant rich diet - herbal medicine and nutritional supplementation Herbal Medicine has a lot to offer to assist in both preventing and restoring immune health. As the weather starts to get cooler, now is the time to take action to make sure your family has the tools it needs to support immune system health. HERBAL MEDICINE FOR IMMUNE HEALTH What are some clinically proven herbs that can be used to improve the health of you, and your family’s immune health? Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) 92
Peninsula Kids – Spring 2018
Perhaps one of the most popular and well known herbs for immune health is Echinacea. It is a favourite amongst most naturopaths due to its wide range of uses, from sore throats to skin issues. Echinacea works by both enhancing and regulating immunity. It improves both the function and the responsiveness of the immune system. Echinacea also exhibits anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, antiseptic, and antibacterial properties. Clinical trials have proved the effectiveness of Echinacea in preventing the common cold, decreasing the severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infections, and relieving the symptoms of colds and flu. Baptisia (Baptisia tinctoria) Another less known, but powerful immune enhancer is Baptisia, also known as Wild Indigo. Baptisia is indigenous to Canada and the United States and is used in the treatment of tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory tract infection, pneumonia, and influenza.