Managing Cold & Flu Symptoms For Healthier Kids

 

Despite your best efforts at preventing infection through diet, exercise and supplementation, at some stage this winter you may succumb to a cold or flu. This can occur particularly if stress or life events get in the way of maintaining the healthy habits that help keep your immune system strong. The good news is that should you find yourself ‘under the weather’, there are measures you can take to get you back on your feet.

Going Viral

Both the common cold and influenza (flu) are caused by viruses, most commonly the rhinovirus. What many people may not realise is that antibiotics only target bacteria and are not able to kill the viruses responsible for colds and flu. Fortunately there are herbs and nutrients that can help manage these viral infections and keep your immune defences strong.

 

Herbal Heroes

A number of traditional herbs have been clinically shown to improve immune function and reduce symptoms of the common cold and flu. For example, use of the Ayurvedic herb andrographis can reduce both the severity and duration of cold and flu symptoms. In addition, picorrhiza has been used traditionally in both Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to help maintain a healthy immune system, and it is now understood that this herb has both anti-inflammatory and immune-stimulating actions. Elderberry is a mainstay of traditional Western herbalism for its anti-catarrhal and fever-reducing activity, helping to relieve acute cold symptoms as well as recurrent coughs. If you are unwell with a respiratory virus, your Practitioner can recommend a herbal formula that contains these immune-supporting heroes.

 

Fungi Force Field

Medicinal mushrooms have a long history of use in Asian cultures and are now known to have potent antiviral activity. In particular, the immune-boosting potential of reishi, shiitake, cordyceps and coriolus mushrooms have been extensively studied. Not only can they help reduce the length and severity of an acute cold, but they can help prevent future recurrences. Speak to your Practitioner about a concentrated extract of these mushrooms to reduce the symptoms and severity of your cold.

 

Getting Rid of the ‘Gunk’

Mucus and phlegm are signs that your immune system is hard at work, but the resulting congestion can lead to blocked sinuses and breathing difficulty. The decongestant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial essential oils of eucalyptus, thyme, lavender and peppermint may help to reduce the nasal and sinus congestion that accompanies upper respiratory tract infections.Mucus congestion can also cause irritating or chesty coughs. Liquorice is recognised in Western herbal medicine for its soothing, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. An extract of liquorice root can reduce irritation of the respiratory mucous membranes, helping to soothe dry coughs and relieve mild bronchitis. The Ayurvedic herb adhatoda is a helpful bronchodilator also with expectorant properties. By encouraging the clearing of congestion-causing phlegm, your airway becomes more open and that irritating wheeze reduces. If you are coughing or your sinuses are blocked, speak with your Practitioner about an appropriate formula containing these mucus-busting herbs and essential oils.

 

 

The Lost Art of Convalescence

In this modern world you may feel obliged to ‘soldier on’ despite coughing, sneezing and operating at less than optimal capacity. Taking the time to rest and recuperate reduces the risk of spreading the infection to your colleagues and helps you to recover sooner. The lifestyle prescription when you are unwell is sleep, sleep and more sleep! Resist the temptation to check your work emails. Instead, focus your efforts on restoring your energy levels with warm, nourishing foods such as soups; drink plenty of fluids to replace those lost as you blow your nose repeatedly; and avoid mucus-promoting, inflammatory foods such as dairy and processed foods.

 

Fight Back and Stay Well

If a cold or flu finds its way to you this winter and is stopping you from performing at your best, don’t despair – your Practitioner can recommend a herbal or nutritional formula with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and immune-boosting power to support your convalescence and help get you back in the game again.

 

  • Naturopathy Can Help With the Following Childhood Conditions

    Fiona provides tailored health plans based on a multitude of factors relevant to your child’s symptomology (how they are feeling), pathology (how their body is responding), plus dietary and lifestyle factors.

    • ✅ Digestive complaints – constipation, diarrhoea, loose stools, pain or bloating
    • ✅ Allergies and allergic conditions – such as asthma, eczema or hayfever
    • ✅ Poor Immunity – recurring colds or ear infections
    • ✅ Skin Conditions – rashes, eczema, acne, pimples or allergic reactions
    • ✅ Moods – anxiety, depression or mood swings
    • ✅ Food Intolerances – identifying food reactions
    • ✅ Food Allergies – identifying food reactions
    • ✅ Growth and development issues – fussy eaters or nutritional malabsorption
    • ✅ Behavioural challenges – ADHD or others
    • ✅ Energy – poor energy or chronic fatigue
    • ✅ Picky Eaters – fussy eaters
    • ✅ Sleep – trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

    What happens in a children’s nutritionist consultation

    During your consultation, Fiona will seek information about your pregnancy, birth and post birth experiences. This will provide an integrated view to give a full picture of the foundations of your child’s health status. You can expect to leave your consultation with a thorough understanding of the potential contributing factors of the presenting symptoms. Fiona will provide you with a comprehensive treatment plan that incorporates possible herbal/nutritional medicine, dietary/lifestyle recommendations, recipes and handouts. Plus an overview of the consultation so you feel empowered to care for your child’s wellbeing with Fiona’s guidance. At The Children’s Naturopath, Fiona Stock an expert in childhood health, she understands children’s needs and considers working with kids and teens to be an absolute joy. She finds that children typically respond to naturopathic treatment very well – bouncing back to good health in no time.  And she treasures the opportunity she has to teach kids about their bodies and engage them in their health journey, setting them up with strong foundations and knowledge for life.

    Meet Children’s Nutritionist – Fiona Stock

    Fiona is skilled at getting to the heart of childhood health challenges – helping to initiate lasting change.

    Fiona Stock is a respected Paediatric Naturopath & Children’s Nutritionist with a career spanning over 23 years. Armed with an abundance of experience and a true desire to transform your child’s health, she’ll listen closely to understand the underlying causes of their troubling condition. Fiona gets to the heart of your child’s presenting symptoms by deciphering what their body is trying to tell you. She will suggest simple and specific changes as well as herbal or nutritional medicine where required to nurture and restore your child, so they can enjoy the good health they deserve. Deeply compassionate and highly skilled, either of the Naturopathic Consultation Options with Fiona is a wonderful investment in your child’s health. If you’ve tried everything and are yet to find solutions to your child’s health challenges – this could well be the path to take.

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    FIONA STOCK | PAEDIATRIC NATUROPATH & CHILDREN’S NUTRITIONIST

    • ✅Poor Immunity
    • ✅Poor Focus & Concentration
    • ✅ Behavioural Problems
    • ✅ ADHD
    • ✅ Depression
    • ✅ Anxiety
    • ✅ Food Allergies
    • ✅ Food Intolerances
    • ✅ Constipation
    • ✅ Diarrhoea
    • ✅ Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
    • ✅ Tummy Pain
    • ✅ Eczema
    • ✅ Asthma
    • ✅ Obesity
    • ✅ Auto-Immune Disease
    • ✅ Recurring Infections
    • ✅ Fussy Eaters
    • ✅ Sleep Issues
    • ✅ Plus many more…

    Online Learning | Children’s Health | Children’s Nutritionist

    Would you like a consultation with me at a fraction of the cost? My online learning classes are jam packed with more advice than I provide in a face-to-face appointment. It’s evidence-based naturopathic wisdom coupled with the latest scientific research on kids health I’ve successfully shared with clients over my 20+ year career.

    I’ve also included cheatsheets, checklists, nourishing recipes and 25 page book of class notes.

    You will learn:

    • ✅ Understand the cause if common childhood conditions (eczema, poor immunity, food allergies, food intolerances, poor focus & concentration, ADHD, behavioural problems).
    • ✅. Supporting immune function to help support allergic conditions.
    • ✅. Support optimal brain function.
    • ✅. Healthy Eating Plan – including portion size for each age-group.
    • ✅. Natural medicine recommendations,
    • ✅. Plus much more…

    Brisbane Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Brisbane

    Adelaide Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Adelaide

    Sydney Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Sydney

    Perth Child Naturopath | Children’s Naturopath Perth

    Kids Nutritionist | Children’s Nutritionist | Baby Nutritionist

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