Imagine waking up one morning with a sore throat and a stuffy nose. By noon, it’s like there’s a tight band around your head, and by the evening, you can’t stop coughing. We’ve all been there: brought down by a minor infection that disrupts our daily lives. While these common ailments like bronchitis, sinusitis and ear infections can be a real pain, understanding their nature and exploring natural remedies can make a big difference. Dr. Claude Bernard stressed the importance of the environment, saying “The microbe is nothing; the environment is everything.” To support this environment, especially your endogenous immune system, plants can help protect you.
Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia or E. purpurea) is a plant that can support our immune system. Take as a capsule or mother tincture, this product helps fight various infections and acts as a natural antibacterial. The compounds of this plant, including chichoric acid, echinacosides, alkylamides and polysaccharides, stimulate the immune activity of certain white blood cells responsible for destroying and digesting infectious microorganisms to fight infection more effectively. Its immunostimulating action makes it one of the best remedies take in the fall to maximize your vitality.
Another highly effective antimicrobial from the plant world is grapefruit seed extract (GSE). It is particularly handy for ENT infections, bronchial ailments, and intestinal and vaginal infections. Particularly rich in flavonoids and vitamin C, it possesses immune-stimulating and antioxidant properties and can be used to support the immune system. You can find it in capsule format for broad-spectrum internal action or as drops you can apply locally, like to gargle for a sore throat.
Thanks to its broad spectrum of effects, garlic is a great general anti-infective remedy. This plant and its active compound, allicin, have been shown to inhibit various bacteria such as Salmonella enteritidis and Escherichia coli (which cause gastroenteritis and urinary tract infections). However, the antibacterial power of garlic decreases when it is stored or cooked, so it’s best to take it raw, fresh and crushed. If you don’t have any on hand, there are several effective garlic supplements you can take. As a preventive measure, garlic also stimulates macrophage and lymphocyte proliferation.
However, if bronchitis has already set in, you should consume plenty of hot drinks, especially herbal infusions and decoctions for the airways and inflammation like elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and plantain syrup (Plantago major).
For sinusitis, think of using a saline nasal spray and a facial steam bath with a few drops of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) or niaouli (Melaleuca viridiflora) essential oil.
If you have an ear infection, you might also want to apply an onion poultice directly to your sore ear, or massage the area around the ear with an essential oil made from narrow-leaf peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata), Ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora), or German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) diluted with vegetable oil. Never put essential oils directly inside your ear.
While some minor infections may seem inevitable, you can strengthen your immunity and reduce their frequency with a holistic approach combining healthy lifestyle habits, preventive measures to boost your vitality, and natural remedies.
Jade Marcoux, Naturopath and EESNQ graduate
École d’enseignement supérieur de naturopathie du Québec
The health and medical information published or presented in this article is the opinion of the author only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers should use their judgment. It is their responsibility to independently verify the information provided in the article. The contents of this article are for discussion and informative purposes only and should never be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A medical professional is the only person who can evaluate your health and give you advice following a medical examination. Rachelle Béry will not be liable for any of the information presented in this article or in any associated links, nor the use or misuse of the information.
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