As the weather grows colder and we head indoors to seek solace from the elements, the bugs tend to follow.  Less fresh air and ventilation will promote the presence of these viruses and bugs so here are a few simple preventatives that can help you and your family from contracting or spreading bacteria and viruses (colds and flu).

1. Wash your hands and surfaces regularly – tea tree oil mixed with water in a spray bottle, cheap and easy and a very effective antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal i.e general bug killer.

2. Eat well – more bright, rich coloured fruit and vegetables as they contain more antioxidants, again more bug killing capacity.  Sleep well and stay hydrated

3. Keep up regular exercise to help strengthen your immunity

4. Take immune boosting herbs from an experienced Medical Herbalist (we have 2 @ Orange Health) regularly from March to August as well as immune boosting and supporting vitamins, we blend herbs for adults and kids in liquid or capsule form

5. This one can be tricky – but try to avoid confined spaces with recycled air, if this is not possible, then rug up and walk around the block at lunchtime

If you feel you may be coming down with something it’s best to keep your bugs to yourself, stay home and rest up

1. Keep up your fluids – water and herbal teas

2. Make a hearty broth soup – chicken soup is high in lysine – a natural viral inhibitor

3. Take some of our liquid cold & flu formula (it kills everything and reduces the aches, headaches and other flu symptoms that often accompany this virus.  Add lemon, fresh grated ginger and honey – this will “nip it in the bud” so you won’t need to take time off work or school

4. Load up on zinc and vitamin C – take 1000mg of Vitamin C every 2 hours for 3 days, call us we can send these out to you by courier and you can pay online

For more advise on our specialised treatments contact the Naturopaths at Orange Health, they will be able to help you with targeted cold, flu and virus treatments to suit and your family.  Call us now for an acute appointment to support and strengthen your immune system so you bounce back quickly. If you are sick we can arrange a phone or skype consultation. 027 463 2909

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We have talked about Allergies in previous blogs here but for those who are after a quick summary we thought we would break it down further for you

Top 5 causes of Allergies:

• Animal dander & Dust mites
• Pollens & Plants
• Medications
• Food and chemical sensitivities
• Bee stings

Top natural treatments for Allergies:

• Natural antihistamines like quercetin, bromelain and histadine can help with immediate reduction of symptoms
• Of course, avoidance of known allergens is sometimes difficult but improving your gut health and immune response can help lessen the severity of symptoms
• Nettle tea and tincture help regulate the immune system and calms inflammation
• Homeopathics can be made from the source of your allergen, which can be used to treat your condition – please see a professional to help get the right remedy for you.
• Consulting with a Naturopath can help you navigate the minefield that is food and chemical sensitivity

*Those with known allergies to things like bee stings should carry an epi pen at all times.

If you have any questions regarding which treatments are right for you, please contact one of our experienced Naturopaths who will be able to individually assess which treatments would best suit your needs.

Seasonal? Hormonal? Stress-related? Mold sensitivities?  Is it a food or environmental? The questions go on but the answers are essential information.   There is so much confusion in the area of respiratory health.  Steroids, inhalers, anti inflammatory’s, antibiotics, antihistamines.  Do they work temporarily? Do they treat the cause? In most cases, the answer is no. Itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, post nasal drip, cough, sneeze, snotty, you name it we have seen and heard it.  All the above can and will contribute to the symptoms but there will be a defining underlying cause.

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A bit like a boiling pot, a combination of stress in and on the body whether it be pollen, pollutions, work stress, emotional or internal stress such as food intolerances, poor digestion, poor diet will keep the acidity bubbling and boiling over, all this contributes to hay fever ‘’ inflammation’’ flame, hot.  When the body is inflamed it makes mucous to cool and calm the hot membranes, so there it is, the cause of that mucous!  Let us help you establish clearly what the cause is, remove it, slow the inflammation, stop the mucous production, understand the process and without a doubt your hay fever will no longer be the daily battle it has been.  There will no longer need to suppress the heat or push the inflammation back in as is done with most pharmaceutical medication.

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Until you make a decision to ‘treat the cause’ it will be a longwinded viscous cycle. Have a read of the testimonials from our happy clients and come and see us to prepare a clear treatment plan to resolve your hay fever now.

Do you wake up with a head full of mucous every morning? Are you sneezing left right and center? Are your eyes itching and your nose dripping like crazy? Or maybe you are breaking out in a rash and have troubles with your digestive system. These are the common symptoms associated with allergic reactions. They can be bothersome to debilitating to life-threatening. But what exactly is an allergy and what can you do to stop it.

An allergy occurs when a person’s immune system over-reacts to substances in their environment. These allergens could be dust mites, pets, pollen, foods, drugs, insect stings, latex, moulds etc. An allergen for one person may not be a problem for another person, and everyone reacts differently.

A reaction can occur within minutes or up to a few hours after contact. During an allergic reaction antibodies, which are supposed to protect our bodies against viruses, parasites and infections mistakenly identify the particular allergen as an invader and begin to create antibodies against it. These (IgE) antibodies, attach themselves to mast cells. Mast cells are abundant under the surface of the skin and in the nose, eyes, lungs, and gut. (this is why it is so important to heal the gut, balance the immune system and reduce inflammation) When the allergen is encountered, the antibodies grab it, triggering the mast cells to release powerful chemicals, including histamine – the inflammatory chemical. (hence the reason anti-histamines are used to treat allergic reactions)
Identification of specific allergens can be done through blood/skin and hair testing and is the first step in your journey – with the correct knowledge you have the power to effect change. Symptoms can be relieved with specific remedies and changes to diet and lifestyle once your trigger/s are identified. However, the best way to prevent symptoms is to avoid what triggers you.

You don’t have to suffer through it. To find out what you can do to treat your allergies, reduce inflammation and manage food reactivity call us or come in and book an appointment with one of our Naturopaths today.