According to the World health Organisation (WHO) during the winter months, influenza may infect up to 20% of the population. Pharmacies are reporting a huge rise in people buying over the counter remedies for coughs and colds and the official advice for viral infections is rest and relaxation till it clears.
We look at natural ways to boost your immune system and speed up your healing process, so you can get back to normality faster.
Make an Ayurvedic cough tonic
Cut some fresh ginger, fresh turmeric ( or powdered if you cannot get it fresh) , the juice of one lemon, a pinch of salt to 2 mugs water and boil up, till it is half its consistency. Then sieve off and pour into a mug with 1 tsp of runny honey. The combination will boost your immune system and speed up its healing properties.
Ginger contains gingerol, a substance with powerful medicinal Properties. It also has anti inflammatory properties and can reduce muscle pains, and is excellent for respiratory problems that coughs and colds can bring on.
Turmeric is renowned for its healing properties and has been used in Ayurveda for centuries. It is an anti oxidant and is anti bacterial and anti inflammatory.
Lemons are great for treating dehydration; they are a high source of vitamin C, which will help boost your immune system.
Honey is anti bacterial and anti fungal and a great emollient. 
Massage your sinus and lung reflexology points pm your hands to ease coughs and colds. Stimulate regularly throughout the day
Lung point
Location: This point is located on the upper portion of the palm, underneath the three middle fingers. There’s a Lung reflexology point on both of your hands—the left hand is for the left lung, and the right hand is for the right lung.
How to massage: To massage your Lung reflexology area on the hand, press into the point with your thumb and massage in small circles. Make your way across and down the reflexology area.
Sinus point
Location: The sinus hand point is located on the tip of the thumb pad of both thumbs.
How to massage: Use your other thumb to massage the tip of your thumb in a side-to-side direction, from the left side of the thumb to the right side, and back again.
Steam Inhalation
Clear your sinus’s and ease your throat. Boil your kettle and to a bowl add a teaspoon of CARE Menthol and Eucalyptus or a menthol crystal to the water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale. This really relieves sinuses and moistens the throat.
Use a netti pot to clear any congestion in your sinuses
Netti pots are regularly prescribed in Arurveda to help keep sinuses clear. Neilmed have an excellent container, with the right amount of salt in sachets to safely clear the sinuses. Simply flush through each nostril once a day. Douching the sinuses regularly throughout the year helps prevent bacteria building up in your sinuses and is really effective for those who suffer from hayfever
Rest! Rest! Rest
Try and take as much rest as possible. Public transport is riddled with people sharing their germs. It is better to take a few days off to recuperate and heal, rather than spreading germs.
Take Zinc and Vitamin supplements
To keep your system boosted take Zinc and Vitamin C supplements throughout the year.
Bharti’s top tip
All the above tips should be part of your daily lifestyle, so your body is prepared for the cold season and you will notice, when you do get the virus, your body will heal faster!