The immune system is constantly fighting viruses, bacteria and other pathogens. How to strengthen the body to effectively prevent the development of infections during the cold season? Which natural ingredients can be particularly helpful in this?
Table of Contents:
- How to support immunity?
- Natural plant ingredients to support the immune system
- How to take care of the throat during the cold season?
How to support immunity?
In autumn and winter, the frequency of developing infections increases significantly. This is due to a number of reasons. Cold, dry air promotes the spread of viruses. Cold and frosty weather makes people much more likely to stay indoors than outdoors. This affects the easier transmission of pathogenic pathogens between successive people. Atmospheric conditions can also impair the work of the cilia, which cease to effectively clean the air inhaled through the nose.
How to support the immune system during the cold season? There are several ways to do it:
- Healthy nutrition – the immune system needs vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin D and zinc to work effectively. In autumn and winter, the diet usually becomes more monotonous, and the content of vegetables and fruits decreases. It is worth trying to regularly supply the body with vitamins and minerals, which are essential for maintaining a strong immune system. In autumn and winter, frozen vegetables and fruits are particularly valuable.
- Physical activity – although the weather outside the window does not encourage movement, it is worth finding your own ways to motivate regular activity. It will help not only strengthen immunity, but also lower stress levels, maintain a healthy body weight and sleep better. Often the hardest part is the decision itself!
- Adequate sleep – sleep deficiency negatively affects the functioning of the entire body, including the immune system.
- Giving up stimulants – it is advisable to avoid smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. The stimulants disrupt the immune system.
Natural plant ingredients to support the immune system
In supporting immunity, selected ingredients of plant origin are helpful. Elderberry contains substances with anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating effects. Virgin supports the functioning of the mucous membrane of the respiratory system. Eucalyptus has a beneficial effect on proper breathing and relieves symptoms of infection, and vervain has an anti-inflammatory effect.
For natural immune support, it is worth stocking your medicine cabinet with Althan HOT sachets. They contain a special composition of 4 plant extracts: elderberry, mullein, eucalyptus and verbena. The product is also enriched with vitamin C and zinc. Both these ingredients are essential for the proper functioning of the immune system. The sachets are convenient to use, and dissolving their contents in warm water brings an additional warming effect, which is very welcome during the cold season. The ingredients in this supplement support the maintenance of a healthy respiratory system. Althan HOT is a preparation intended for children over 6 years and adults.
How to take care of the throat during the cold season?
Hoarseness, scratchy and sore throat and cough are symptoms that many people struggle with during the infection season. To support the health of the throat and vocal cords, it’s a good idea to make sure the mucous membrane is regularly moistened. During the heating season, dry hot air promotes faster drying of the mucosa, making it more susceptible to attack by viruses and bacteria. You can try to prevent this by both humidifying the air in the apartment and directly moistening the throat.
What plants help keep the throat and vocal cords healthy? Certainly it is Icelandic shieldwort, commonly known as Icelandic lichen. It has coating properties. It forms a protective barrier on the surface of the mucous membrane. It prevents it from drying out. The lichen also relieves hoarseness and coughing. Mallow, which is used in folk medicine to treat various types of respiratory infections, also has a protective effect. Protective action against the mucous membrane is also shown by linden.
For dryness or irritation of the throat, you can reach for Althan Lozenges. The extracts of lichen, mallow and linden contained in them, as well as sodium hyaluronate, quickly bring a feeling of relief. They moisturize not only the throat, but also the mouth, vocal cords and larynx. Thanks to the presence of natural black currant flavor, they also have a pleasant taste. Althan lozenges are intended for adults and children over 4 years of age.
In younger children, and those who prefer the spray form, Althan Throat Spray may be a good choice. It contains the same active ingredients, and thanks to its suitable formulation can be used in children as young as 1 year old. Regular moisturization of the pharyngeal mucosa is particularly important for those who work with their voice, stay in air-conditioned rooms or are exposed to other adverse factors that lead to dryness of the pharyngeal mucosa.
Althan throat preparations for medical products, which can also be used supportively with already ongoing inflammation of the throat. The ingredients contained in them relieve irritation, as well as hoarseness and dry cough.
During the cold season, the body is exposed to many factors that disrupt the proper functioning of the body and promote the development of infections. To protect against it, it is worthwhile to regularly support the work of the immune system through appropriate lifestyle changes. Enriching the diet with natural ingredients that help fight unwanted viruses and bacteria can also have beneficial effects. In case of dryness, hoarseness or dry cough, remember lozenges or sprays that will quickly bring relief. During the infectious season, it is worth equipping your home medicine cabinet with Althan products, which provide comprehensive support against infection and support its treatment.
Bibliography:
- Gasmi A., Shanaida M., Oleshchuk O., et al. Natural Ingredients to Improve Immunity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2023 Apr 1;16(4):528. doi: 10.3390/ph16040528. PMID: 37111285; PMCID: PMC10143734
- EMA: EMA: Assessment report on Cetraria islandica (L.) Acharius s.l., thallus. 2014
- Mahboubi M. Sambucus nigra(black elder) as alternative treatment for cold and flu. ADV TRADIT MED (ADTM). 2021;21(3):405-14. doi: 10.1007/s13596-020-00469-z. Epub 2020 Jul 10. PMCID: PMC7347422.
