As some of you may already have experienced, there has been a very nasty viral flu doing the rounds over the past couple of months. This year's dose is particularly aggressive and appears to be wiping people off their feet instantly and for up to a number of weeks. The media has been reporting on hospitals that have been put under pressure with the number of people having to be admitted for treatment.
Infections, whether bacterial or viral, have become increasingly resistant to both our natural immune response against them and to our antibiotic treatment of them in the case of bacterial infections, (antibiotics have no affect on viral infections). This means that both bacteria and viruses are becoming increasingly virulent and more difficult to fight.
Any bacterial or viral attack on the body that is so severe as to lay the sufferer up for a number of weeks or worse still causes them to be admitted into hospital, is a serious attack on the immune, nervous and energy systems of the body. The body will need both time and help to recover from such an attack.
The immune system is the key to fighting infection in the body and it is important for optimum health that once attacked, the immune system is quickly guided back to full and proper functioning again.
The tiredness and fatigue that may linger for weeks after an infection may often be related to a struggling immune system trying to recover.
At times like this, the immune system would benefit from support. While natural health has many products available for supporting immunity, one that I recommended last year, Super immune-tone from enzymatic therapy is still my favourite. The combination of herbs contained within super immune-tone render it very effective at providing fast and effective relief for a weakened immunity.
Astralagus, Echinacea Goldenseal, Liquorice and Shitake in combination provide a potent strengthening of the immune system allowing it to recover and helping protect against further bacterial or viral attack. Super immune-tone should be taken only until the sufferer feels fully recovered and thereafter the immune system may be supported with Echinacea if required.
Super immune-tone should not be taken long term without reason. Super immune-tone is not recommended for pregnant or breast-feeding women. Nor is it recommended for those suffering from blood pressure or with a history of cardiovascular disease because it contains liquorice.
AVOIDING THE NEW YEAR BLUES
January can often be a difficult month to progress through at the best of times and this year is certainly no exception. Those who feel anxious, worried or even depressed at this time may wish to consider supporting their nervous system to enable them to cope.
Rhodiola is referred to as an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it helps the body to adapt to increased stress levels. It is a very useful herb for those who are suffering from both mental and physical stress due to increased anxiety and worry in their lives.
Rhodiola increases the body's resistance to stress by regulating the body's hormonal response to it. Rhodiola appears to combat stress by acting on the hypothalamus gland in the brain.
While the adrenal glands are regarded as the coping organs of stress in our body, the hypothalamus represents the initial hormonal trigger of biological stress responses, and it is under its influence that the adrenal glands are regulated.
Rhodiola has been shown to be useful in boosting physical energy, improving mental alertness, improving concentration and memory, improving sleep patterns, alleviating depression, increasing recovery from exercise and improving male sexual function.
All in all, Rhodiola appears to deal with most, if not all, of the symptoms of modern day stress and its associated fatigue.
Rhodiola should not be taken alongside prescription antidepressants or tranquillisers or alongside hormone medication such as steroids, hormone replacement therapy and oral contraceptives.
St John's Wort and 5-HTP are two supplements that are useful for those who feel low and depressed at this time of year or for those whose sleep pattern is disturbed perhaps because of a low mood.
Serotonin is a brain chemical that when produced by the brain causes us to feel happy and content with life. It also helps us sleep fitfully. Serotonin levels are often low within the brain of depressed individuals and the orthodox treatment of depression is often centred around raising serotonin levels either by enhancing its production or preventing its breakdown.
St John's Wort is used in herbal medicine to treat mild to moderate depression. Its mode of action is considered to be in helping prevent the breakdown of serotonin in the brain.
St John's Wort may require a number of weeks to exert its beneficial effect within the body and to this end I usually recommend a strong vitamin B-complex alongside it to provide a more immediate effect on energy levels and nervous tension.
St John's Wort should not be taken alongside orthodox antidepressant medication.
St John's Wort can speed up the breakdown of some known drugs in the body and hence interfere with their life in the body.
It is advisable when purchasing this herb to enquire whether it is suitable for you if you are taking any other medication. It is recommended to take St John's Wort for four to five months on a continuous basis and then to discontinue its use unless required again at a later date.
5-HTP is a substance that is normally produced in the body from the amino acid tryptophan. 5-HTP is used in by the body to produce serotonin, which, as discussed in relation to St John's Wort, is an important brain transmitter that aids with depression and insomnia.
5-HTP is available as a supplement, derived from the seeds of the griffonia plant, and may be of use for those who suffer from depression or insomnia. The supplement is best taken with a high carbohydrate meal or drink such as orange juice for better absorption into the brain.
5-HTP and St John's Wort may be taken alongside each other for those feeling very low as the first increases the production of serotonin in the brain and the second prevents its breakdown.
5-HTP should only be taken for one month to enable the serotonin level to build up and then continue with St John's Wort on its own to help prevent any fall in levels.
5-HTP should not be taken long term and it should not be taken alongside orthodox antidepressants or tranquillisers prescribed by a doctor.
It is interesting to note that cow's milk is naturally rich in the amino acid tryptophan and this explains the science behind the traditional use of a warm glass of milk at bedtime to aid a good night's sleep!
