Winter Woes: Staying Healthy in the Cold Season

Preventive medicine can halt the progression of winter illnesses.

The focus is mainly on strengthening the immune system, eliminating viruses and bacteria using the body's natural powers, and supporting with medicinal herbs, vitamins, and minerals. When the body is strong, winter illnesses pass quickly and easily.

People get sick more often in the winter because the cold weakens the body and immune system, allowing illness-causing agents to enter and cause flu, colds, sore throats, and more. Some people get sick more often, while others don’t get sick at all. This is related to our defense mechanisms—weakness of the immune system.

Major factors in weakening the immune system include emotional stress, worry, sadness, lack of sleep, strenuous work, and poor nutrition, which burden and weaken the immune system—then come the viruses.

How to Overcome?

It is recommended to avoid fast and non-nutritious foods. Even slight nutritional deficiencies impair the immune system's function. Empty foods like sugar, white flour, food dyes, etc., deplete minerals, especially zinc.

During illness, it is advisable to eat minimally and mostly drink, allowing the body to fight the illness without being occupied with digesting food. It's recommended to eat chicken soup with vegetables. It's not just a "grandmother's remedy". Chicken soup contains an expectorant that helps alleviate excess mucus.

Zinc - An important mineral in strengthening the immune system, found in pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, nuts, and legumes.

Vitamin C - Strengthens by enhancing the activity of white blood cells. You'll find Vitamin C in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially red peppers, kiwis, tomatoes, leafy greens, and citrus fruits.

Propolis - A beehive product containing antioxidants and a range of vitamins and minerals. Treats infections and is especially helpful with diseases that weaken the body.

Oregano Oil - Effectively fights viruses.

Ginger - Strengthens immune function and helps relieve sore throat and chills. Add half a teaspoon of ground ginger to your tea or drink tea containing fresh ginger.

Thyme - Enhances immune system activity and alleviates cough. Drink thyme infusion twice a day for prevention and treatment.

Overheating the home leads to system weakening. It is important to ventilate the home and ensure adequate rest.

Remember, prescription medications alleviate symptoms, but may cause long-term harm.

Zohara Shavit is a naturopath N.D and iridologist with many years of experience in treatment, consulting, and conducting workshops. To book a complimentary workshop, call 073-2221290