The Ministry of Health’s National Information Center for the Corona Campaign reported in July of this year that we passed the sixth wave of the Corona virus. The wave began with the spread of the BA.5 variant – a particularly elusive and kicking strain, which managed to infect Omicron healers and even cause primary disease among those who were vaccinated for the fourth time.
4 Viewing the gallery
Get through the winter illnesses in peace
(Photo: shutterstock)
This year, unlike the last two years, the first flu cases were reported in Israel and around the world as early as July and in other parts of the world even earlier.
The early exposure to the flu virus, with still attacking variants of the corona hovering in the background, signals to us that we are in for a particularly challenging winter.
The lockdown of the last two years contributed to a decrease in the incidence of the flu due to the isolation imposed on us, but the isolation, which was necessary to stop the spread of the corona virus, did not expose the immune system of most of us to the flu virus, so today we are more exposed to it.
The Center for Disease Control in the US recently shared information about morbidity caused by three viruses of the respiratory system in children and adolescents. These viruses appeared earlier than in previous years, hence beyond the double virus attack we are expecting this winter, it seems that we are witnessing a different behavior of viruses that damage the respiratory system and in different systems.
This is another important fact that calls for extra caution and more protection of our immune system.
4 Viewing the gallery
Contagion is affected by the environment, chronic diseases and mental resilience
(Photo: shutterstock)
Due to the similar symptoms to the flu and corona, it seems that this season we will experience a real difficulty in understanding whether our cough is the result of a cold or infection with one of the strains of the virus. Therefore, in preparation for a particularly challenging winter, we should prepare our bodies for a particularly harsh winter general.
Naturopathic medicine and special plant compounds to strengthen the immune system can help get through the winter in good health. The plant companies in Israel offer a variety of shelf compositions for all age groups, including for children.
Although most compositions contain plants that are safe for use, it is important to confirm the suitability of the composition to negate an overreaction – especially for those who take medication regularly.
There are three factors that affect the infection:
around the: In the winter there is a tendency to stay in closed spaces and overcrowding due to the cold. As the density increases, the chance of transmitting the disease from person to person is higher.
chronic diseases: The immune system of patients with chronic diseases is weaker. The selection of herbal compositions for them should be done very carefully, both because of the variety of drugs they take, and because of the low absorption capacity that is typical when there are many drugs in the background.
It is important for patients with chronic diseases to make sure to strengthen the immune system all year round, and not just in winter.
Mental strength: More and more studies point to the direct link between stress and diseases. When you are under constant stress, the adrenal gland is overactive and secretes high levels of the hormone cortisol. This excessive secretion causes a weakening of the immune system and hence a greater exposure to diseases.
The plants that should be taken right now to strengthen the immune system will be plants that strengthen and activate the immune system. Most of the plants in this category are adaptogenic, which help the body adapt to stressful situations. The recommendation is to take the preventive composition now, before the arrival of the flu wave.
Example plants in this category: membranous sedum (Astragalus), reishi mushroom (Ganoderma), American ginseng, withania sorrel, and licorice.
If we have already had the flu, we will take a break from the prophylactic composition and switch to a composition that includes immune-stimulating plants, for acute treatment of the disease: hedgehog, endographis, tabovia (lapasho), Peruvian marigolds and more delicate plants such as thyme and black elder.
4 Viewing the gallery
Before the arrival of the flu: plants that stimulate immunity
(Photo: shutterstock)
An example of a composition to boost the initial response of the immune system would include echinacea root, echinacea leaves, propofalis (resin), Chinese gorse (root), and bopleorum.
An example of a composition for children to strengthen the immune system would include a syrup of black elderberry fruits combined with the astragalus plant along with the leaves and root of a plant called istis the colors. The elderberry fruits contribute to increasing the production of cytokines that accelerate the movement of phagocytes to the site of infection, including strep throat. Isatis the colors will strengthen the composition due to being an anti-infection with a wide range of activity as well as an antiviral plant.
diet: The best way to balance the body is through warming foods. Besides a soup rich in legumes and vegetables, you can prepare hot drinks such as chai, an Indian tea containing warming spices.
4 Viewing the gallery
Tea containing warming spices
(Photo: shutterstock)
A spoonful of cloves
Half a tablespoon of black peppercorns
Fresh ginger root
4 cinnamon sticks
Boil the water with the spices until boiling. Lower the heat and cook on low heat for an hour. Refrigerate and keep in the fridge.
When serving the tea, you can sweeten it with date syrup or molasses.
Etty Levin, Naturopath ND, Clinical Herbalist Cl.H
Levinetty.nature@gmail.com // 052-6086016