Just Ask Terry

Terry is happy to provide his opinion on diet and nutrition, supplements and lifestyle choices. This information is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your physician and is not to be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Should you have any concerns please contact your physician directly.

Q. Dear Terry, “I am an elementary school teacher and I seem to end up with several colds every year. They each tend to hang on for a number of weeks. I will even have a cold or two through the summer. Can you recommend something that will either build up my immune system or help me through the cold episodes? Thanks!” — Barrett H., New York, NY

A. Dear Barrett, There’s no denying it – cold and flu season is upon us. The likelihood of you having a bacterial and/or viral infection is higher, especially because you work with young children. No worries, though – I have a couple of great options when it comes to boosting your immune system and reducing the severity of the colds you may get.

I like a combination of black currant and elderberry, plus zinc, selenium, lactoferrin, and the probiotic lactobacillus sporogenes to boost your overall health and immune system. All of these ingredients have antiviral, antibacterial, or immune-supportive properties. I suggest taking 1 capsule daily to maintain good health. Then, when you feel extra support is needed, you can increase to 1 capsule every three to four hours.

For a cold, my two favorite herbs are pelargonium and andrographis. I have seen clinical studies on both herbs which prove they reduce the severity of a cold and shorten the duration. While most people who have colds usually struggle 5-10 days before they are completely free of symptoms, using a combination of these two herbs will significantly reduce the severity and duration to whereas most colds can be eliminated in 24-72 hours.

Another great combination to battle viruses uses Ravensara, Myrtle, Thyme and Bay Leaf concentrated plant oils. These flu-fighting plant oils are exciting and work very well together. I recommend taking 1 softgel of this blend daily. When extra support is needed, you can take up to 3 softgels daily. Just be sure to choose a formula which features concentrated plant oils that have been laboratory tested to accurately identify elements of their natural chemical composition. Unlike essential oils used for massage and aromatherapy, these plant oils are tested and “fingerprinted” based on specific molecular makeup, species, marker compounds, purity and safety for internal medicinal use. The extraordinary potency of these tested plant oils allows for relatively low doses, but very powerful health benefits.

Healthy Regards!

Terry . . . Naturally