For many, the recent pandemic seems a nightmare best forgotten. While some wear masks and cover their mouths when coughing, lots of folks have returned to pre-pandemic norms—touching all manner of things with unwashed hands, using fingers to wipe their nose, standing inches from another’s face when talking or shouting, and most difficult of all, attending social events or going to work when sick.
As winter approaches, the risk of contracting a respiratory virus increases. We are indoors, on buses, in stores, and in offices and houses with windows closed and shared air. The weather is cold, sun is limited, and our immune system is challenged.
We can’t control the behavior of others. There are no contagion police, requiring masks, vaccines, and health-risk-conscious behavior. So, we’re on our own. Our task is to protect ourselves. Thankfully, it’s not too hard.
First, and most obvious, remember that germs are everywhere. You don’t need to be fearful, just thoughtful. Wash your hands before eating, after using the bathroom and after being out and about in the world. Keep antiseptic wipes in your car, and use them before driving home after shopping or a social event.
Keep a couple feet between yourself and others when you have a conversation. Doing this reduces the amount of possibly infected respiratory droplets your immune system has to defend against.
Take a small daily dose of antioxidant, immune-supportive vitamins and minerals. While most of your vitamins and minerals ought to come from a healthy diet, come contagion season, extra supplementation is a good idea. My typical recommendation to my patients: 10,000 international units (IU) vitamin A, 1,000 milligrams (mg) vitamin C, 200 IU vitamin E, 400 IU vitamin D, 30 mg zinc, and 150 mg magnesium.
Start an immune-supportive herbal tincture in early November and stay on it through February. The best plant medicines for this are Echinacea and Elder. Get a tincture made from equal parts of each of these herbs. For winter immune support, take one-eighth of a teaspoon of a tincture in 1 ounce of water away from food twice daily.
If you are not allergic to bees and you do not have weed and flower allergies, bee pollen is another great immune supportive supplement. Bee pollen is a nutritious and healthy food, containing vitamins, minerals, proteins, and carbohydrates. Add a spoonful to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie to enhance your resistance to contagious diseases.
Exercise at least 3 times a week. You don’t have to take up marathon running or long-distance biking. Science has shown that regular mild-to-moderate exercise improves health in every area, including the resistance to transmittable disease. A 20-minute walk, laps in an indoor pool, or riding a stationary bike will do a lot to boost your overall health and reduce your risk of catching an infectious disease.
If you are exposed to someone who is sick, kill germs that might be trying to infect you by doing a 60-second gargle with an antiseptic mouthwash like Alkathyme or Listerine a couple of times over the 12 hours following exposure. If you have access to a neti pot, augment your resistance by doing nasal irrigation each time you gargle.
