Colds and Flu
Strengthening Your Natural Defences
At The Natural Way Northern NSW, we believe in supporting your body’s natural healing ability. Owner and practitioner Tama Ballantine brings 20 years of experience in holistic health, offering personalised solutions to strengthen immunity and reduce the impact of seasonal colds and flu. With 45 years of company history behind us, our approach combines traditional wisdom, nutrition, and natural therapies—helping both men and women stay healthy all year round. Free consultations are available to create a tailored wellness plan that works for you.
How We Can Help With Colds and Flu
Colds and flu often begin when just a few viruses invade your system. If your immune system doesn’t stop them quickly, they can multiply rapidly and make you feel unwell. Fruits and vegetables contain a wide range of nutrients that strengthen the immune system and stimulate its defences during the early stages of infection. Research indicates that many fruits and vegetables contain glutathione, a compound that helps trigger the release of macrophages—specialised cells that capture viruses and mark them for destruction.
Foods rich in glutathione include avocados, watermelon, asparagus, winter squash, grapefruit, oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, cantaloupe, strawberries, and peaches. Traditional remedies also play an important role. Studies have shown that a cup of hot tea followed by a bowl of homemade chicken soup remains one of the most effective home remedies. Both of these, along with chilli peppers and other spicy foods, contain compounds that relieve congestion and help keep the immune system strong. The Natural Way Herbal Tea offers a nourishing alternative to regular tea.
Vitamin C has also been widely studied for its benefits in reducing the length and severity of colds and flu. Researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland concluded that taking 1000mg of Vitamin C daily can reduce symptoms and shorten illness duration by up to 23%. Taking smaller doses spread throughout the day is more effective than consuming one large dose. In conclusion, staying active, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and considering supplementation can help reduce your risk of colds and flu this winter.