Colds and Flu

The winter months are fast approaching, the time of the common cold!  For many people the winter means cold rainy days but also colds and flu’s.  Sore throat, sneezing, runny nose and fever, these are some of the unpleasant symptoms that can be experienced with the winter cold and flu.  A healthy immune system can get you through the winter without these symptoms. 

Maintaining a strong immune system is important at all times of the year but especially throughout the winter months.  Your immune system can be weakened by many factors such as; stress lack of sleep, lack of exercise, a poor diet and nutritional deficiencies.

Boosting Immunity

There are many things we can do to prevent a cold or flu, including:

ü        Proper Nutrition – protein, complex carbs, berries, carrots, chilli, onions and garlic, ginger

ü        Adequate Hydration – aim for at least 2 litres per day

ü        Moderate Exercise

ü        Getting Good sleep – aim for at least 8 hours per night

ü        Reducing Stress

ü        Avoiding harmful chemicals, pollutants and tobacco

ü        Avoiding excess amounts of sugar and alcohol

While some foods are great for your immune system and cold/flu prevention, there are others that I like to call The Immune Robbers!!!

Ø       Sugar: will deplete your immune system for up to 5 hours! Avoid refined white carbohydrates

Ø       Alcohol: in excessive amounts (more than 7 standard drinks per week); 1 standard drink = decrease in body’s ability to fight infection

Ø       Tobacco: smoking decreases white blood cell activity ( cigarette uses up to 70mg vitamin C)

Your immune system needs support if:

Ø       You catch colds easily

Ø       You catch more than 2 colds per year

Ø       You suffer from chronic infections

Ø       You get frequent cold sore or have genital herpes

Ø       Your lymph glands frequently get sore and swollen

Ø       You have/have had cancer

Natural Medicines can have a profound effect on boosting immunity! 

Herbs such asEchinacea, Andrographis, Olive Leaf and Astragalus can have positive e effects in your immune system. Andrographis reduces the severity and duration of symptoms such as fever, sore throat and muscular aches, antibacterial, antiviral. Echinacea stimulates immune cell activity to help shorten duration of an infection by as much as 5 days. Olive Leaf Extract isactive against viruses, bacteria and fungal infections, Astragalus (Huang Qi): is aconvalescent and rejuvenating tonic for the immune system. Medicinal mushrooms can also be of benefit - Maitake, Shitake and Reishi aremushroom extracts which stimulate white blood cell activity.

Other nutrients such as zinc, selenium, vitamin A/betacarotene, vitamin C may also be considered as part of your prevention or treatmentprogram. All of these are best prescribed by your healthcare practitioner

How can we help!

Before colds and flu’s strike we recommend improving your diet and nutrient intake.  Taking time to de-stress and supporting the body’s immune system.  We can show you how!

With the correct herbs we can enhance the body’s natural ability to heal itself.  Herbs and nutritional supplements have been shown to shorten the length of colds and flu’s and kills the common viruses that cause the common cold & flu. 

Why would you choose Soultonik?

Even though winter is a time of colds & flu’s there is no reason to walk around with a stuffy nose, sore throat, temperature and head aches. 

Call us today, come in to talk to us about how to keep yourself fit and healthy through the winter.  02 9389 6000 or email at

Soultonik Wellness Centre - Naturopathy, Osteopathy, Nutrition, Live Blood Cell Testing/ Hemaview, Cellular Health Analysis, Therapeutic Massage, Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, Life Coaching, Fertility and Pain Specialists

42 Grosvenor Street, Woollahra/Bondi Junction NSW 2025

(02) 9389 6000

Servicing Sydney's Eastern Suburbs including Paddington, Woollahra, Bondi Junction, Edgecliff, Bellevue Hill, Double Bay, Rose Bay at Soultonik Wellness Centre 9389 6000