Cold and flu season can take a toll on your energy, immune system, and overall well-being. With increased exposure to viruses and environmental stressors, many people look for ways to strengthen their defences and recover more quickly. Alongside proper rest, hydration, and nutrition, cold and flu supplements have become a popular way to manage symptoms.
Let's explore typical cold and flu symptoms, conventional treatments, and natural ways to support your body and immune system during illness.
What Are Cold & Flu Symptoms?
Cold symptoms include congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, swollen glands, and often low-grade fever. As the cold progresses, discharge may increase and become green or yellow in colour. The duration of a cold is usually 7 –10 days. Flus usually have the same symptoms as a cold, but are more severe. High fever, chills and body aches also occur. Flus can also attack the gastrointestinal system and cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The duration of the flu is usually one week, but full recovery can take longer.
How Can I Treat Cold & Flu?
Conventional Treatment Options
The only conventional treatment for colds and flu is to take antibiotics, but ONLY if there is a bacterial infection present! Antibiotics being used to treat non-bacterial illnesses, such as cold and flu viruses, have created significant problems, including the emergence of strains of antibiotic-resistant organisms. By only using antibiotics when a bacterial infection is present and by making sure the entire course of antibiotics are followed, you can help to lessen the amount of resistance.
Cold & Flu Supplements & Herbs
Oregano Oil
Oregano is a VERY effective anti-bacterial. Use it at the first sign of a sore throat, and if it’s bacterial in nature, it’ll be GONE! Chronic use of oregano oil is powerful enough that it will eventually affect healthy gut flora. It's best to use oregano oil for 5-7 days at the first sign of a cold, not as a long-term immune support.
Vitamin D
It's no coincidence that cold and flu outbreaks increase during the winter months, when North Americans are no longer able to get the sunshine vitamin from SUN. We now know the crucial role that vitamin D plays in balancing and optimizing immune system function. Up your intake temporarily if you feel a cold or flu coming on. As a fat-soluble vitamin, D3 should always be taken with food.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is effective at preventing cold and flu symptoms in those under heavy physical stress, and arguably, stress in general. Regular supplementation with vitamin C has also been shown to reduce the average duration of a cold.
Echinacea
Echinacea has several immune-specific actions in the body, including antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, and antiparasitic effects. It’s also a decongestant, lymphatic, anti-inflammatory, and immunostimulant. How’s that for cold and flu treatment? Echinacea is most effective when used at the first sign of a cold and/or flu.
Elderberry
It’s ANTIVIRAL!!! To all of those “let it run its course’’ proponents, who say there’s nothing you can do for cold and flu… think again. Elderberry is an effective anti-viral, and as such can help decrease the duration and severity of a cold and flu.
Probiotics
The gut is the HEART of the immune system, with more immune cells than any other area of the body. As such, we need to ensure that our healthy gut bacteria outweigh the pathogenic bacteria (also normally present) in the gut.
Astragalus
In Asian medicine, Astragulus is one of the most widely used herbs. It has the potential to increase the activity of immune cells, enhancing the immune response. Astragalus also has anti-viral properties.
Andrographis
Native to India, Andrographis may not be as well known as some of these cold and flu busters, but it soon will be! Studies show that it can significantly shorten the duration of cold and flu, as well as being effective for prevention.
