Well, I think we can all agree, winter has arrived with a vengeance and with it has arrived the cold and flu season. It seems every second person I speak to has a cold or some other lurgy. At this time of the year we are often asked our advice on the best supplements to prevent and treat colds, flu and viruses. Of course, there are many products on the market and sometimes it can be confusing to understand which supplements are best used as a preventative, which supplements should be taken when you are in the throes of the cold or flu and which supplements are beneficial to help recovery. 

Recently I wrote about the benefits of Vitamin C and Zinc.  Often when we look at immune combinations, Vitamin C and Zinc are added to a combination of immune herbs to work more effectively. An immune combination that many customers over the past few years have found to be beneficial contains several immune herbs plus Vitamin C, Selenium and Zinc.

To my mind, as a preventative you really can’t go past Olive Leaf extract. Unlike some immune-boosting herbs, Olive Leaf is a fantastic tonic that can be taken all year round. It’s antiviral and antibacterial properties are perfect to help avoid and/or treat colds, flu, and viruses.  Over the past 15 years since Olive Leaf arrived on the market, Olive Leaf continues to be one of our highest selling products which is always an indicator of a product that works well.  If you are looking to take a product to help avoid the dreaded colds and flu already infiltrating our community, I would suggest Olive Leaf Extract.

Then we come to what should be taken when you feel like you are coming down with the dreaded lurgy.  Andrographis is an amazing herb that is perfect to take when you feel like you are on the verge of a cold or flu. Andrographis is a traditional Chinese, South East Asian and Indian herb which has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine.  Because of its powerful immune-strengthening benefits it has been used as a preventative for many diseases.

Echinacea is another great herb that has been promoted as an immune booster for many years.   Echinacea has traditionally been used to treat or prevent colds, flu and other infections plus stimulate the immune system to help fight infections. This is another herb I would suggest taking if you feel like you are coming down with an illness.

Sacred Basil is not a well-known herb, however, it is also known to boost the body’s ability to resist viral and bacterial infections. It is wonderful for treating the symptoms of cold and flu.  Sacred Basil has been found to help reduce fevers as well as help with coughs.  By mobilizing the mucous it works as an expectorant when suffering from bronchitis. So once again Sacred Basil is great to take when you actually have the cold or flu.

Not only does this formula contain Andrographis, Echinacea and Sacred Basil, it contains Olive Leaf as well as Calcium Ascorbate (Vitamin C).  The remaining ingredients, Zinc and Selenium also work well as immune boosters and aid in fighting bacteria.

This formula is great to be used as a preventative, taking one or two tablets a day.  If you are in the throes of a cold or flu you may take up to 4 tablets a day. I believe this is one of the best immune formulas on the market, not only because of the excellent selection of herbs in the formula but also because of the strength of those herbs.

For further information on cold and flu remedies call to see Bev and the team at Go Vita, Your Health Shop at 5 North St, Batemans Bay or phone at 44729737.  Don’t forget to tune in to listen to Bev on 2EC every Wednesday at 12.45 pm.