How to Fight Colds And Flu Naturally and Effectively

It seems a number of my lovely clients are under the weather with cold or flu at the moment. So with this in mind this has led me to write this post...

Image source

In 2011 I was hospitalised with Pneumonia after suffering from countless severe colds and chest infections. I normally steer clear of antibiotics (being the natural kind of lady) but as I'd been ill on and off for over 5 months I had actually taken a good few courses, but nothing seemed to be working.

My doctor was also concerned that I had asthma - this unfortunately took 3 months just to get an appointment with a Respiratory Specialist (which took place after I was discharged from hospital!!)  Turns out I do have mild asthma.

Since then I've been a lot more cautious about coming into contact with people with colds or flu; if I catch one and if I'm not careful they tend to go to straight to my chest which means more antibiotics (which I am loathe to take not only because of the side effects but also I don't want to build up an immunity to them as I may really really need them again one day!)

Don't get me wrong antibiotics have their place and indeed they saved my life. The RVI Hospital in Newcastle did an amazing job getting me back on my feet and I'm forever in their debt.

However I refuse to pop them down my neck them lightly and will try my utmost to find natural remedies first with the help of my amazing alternative therapists.

Enough about me, let's move on to those helpful hints and tips!...


How to Fight Colds and Flu Naturally and Effectively

The tips in these blog articles from my amazing herbalist Nick Hudis have been a huge help to me and has nipped many a cold in the bud for me and let me get on with my daily life and running the salon a lot quicker.

Beyond Echinacea: How to survive the winter part 1
How to treat colds and ‘flu’s naturally

                         

Images via Boots and Holland and Barrett

I now take daily doses of Sambucol Elderberry Syrup (easily available from Boots and usually on 3 for 2!) and a Vitamin D3 supplement from Holland and Barrett all year round.

Why not give these tips a try next time you feel a cold or flu coming on, they've worked wonders for me and may for you too.*

Herbalism and How It's Helped Me

Nick also sends me with a monthly bottle of prescribed herbs to help build up the strength of my lungs and keep my immune system fit and healthy. I've even managed to stop taking my preventative steroids (under the guidance of my doctor) and bonus I clear my throat and cough far less as the steroids were actually exacerbating these major symptoms of my asthma. I still carry around an inhaler at all times, but it's great to know I don't need to take daily steroids at the moment (fingers crossed!)**

If you live in Newcastle and would like to see an alternative therapist I'd highly recommend Nick, he's helped me and my family with various problems for over 9 years. To read more about Nick and his healing herbs click here.

* These links will take you to the website of a professional, certified and practising alternative therapist, but if you have a medical condition and have any concerns they may not be suitable for you, please consult your doctor first.

** Always consult your doctor or medical practioner before reducing or stopping any prescribed medication.

COMING SOON to Rituals Beauty - Outback Organics

I am super excited to announce  Outback Organics Tea Tree products will be available from Rituals Beauty soon.

These unbelievably effective products are for use after waxing or any hair removal to keep those pesky ingrown hairs away.

I suffer badly from ingrown hairs and have rigorously tested these products myself... and I can tell you they are truly amazing - and I am very very fussy!!!

Outback Organics is a British company. I feel it's incredibly important to support British companies and especially ethical ones.  I am very proud that I will soon be part of the team and must say their customer care is second to none.

The products are free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulphate, SLES, mineral oils, synthetic fragrance and propylene glycol. They are not tested on animals and are free from harsh synthetics or man-made chemicals. The kind of products I LOVE!

Australian Tea Tree. Image via Flickr

The products contain natural, organic plants which are ethically sourced from a company in Australia who financially support the indigenous people who plant and harvest them. 

Tea Tree oil is the perfect solution to many skin care needs, in fact it has been found to be ten times more powerful than carbolic acid but is non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin (use as a mild dilution to start with).Tea tree oil has been proven to be a powerful yet natural antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal medicine (essential oil). 

Source: Outback Organics

My Tried and Tested Products

Hand & Body Lotion 100ml tube £5.99 or 250ml pump bottle £9.99 
This nourishing hand and body lotion is rich in Macadamia Oil that quenches and soothes dry, itchy skin, leaving it silky soft and deeply hydrated. It contains pure Tea Tree and Anisata (antiseptic) essential oils. It is safe and gentle enough to use straight after hair removal and can help prevent and treat of ingrown hairs- as I have experienced to my delight! I have very dry and sensitive skin and I had absolutely no problems.

I had no ingrown hairs on my legs or bikini line for the whole year I was using the Hand & Body lotion and now they are back after a long break - well not for long! Never again will I be without this little baby.

Ingrown Hair Serum 8ml roller ball £7.50 
This is 'the ultimate defence in the fight against ingrown hairs' - yeah baby! A powerful, dual-action product containing super duper effective fruit enzymes from Pineapple and Papaya, which nibble away at your dead skin cells like a possy of lil Pacmans! These enzymes are blended with betaine salicylate (polysaccharide from Sugar Beet) to exfoliate the area where your hair is trapped. Those stubborn ingrowns are freed from captivity revealing smooth, blemish-free skin. Great for both men and women. It's super handy to pop in your bag.

Face & Body Scrub  100ml tube £8.99 
This gentle exfoliating scrub is suitable for the face and body to lift hairs and prepare the skin for waxing. So great for men too!

This rich, moisturising scrub contains gentle but effective Jojoba micro-beads to buff away dead skin cells and leave your skin feeling silky soft and no scratching your delicate precious skin.

It is infused with some of my favourite essential oils:
Bergamot orange (antiseptic), Sandalwood (skin softener, antiseptic, anti inflammatory and super nourishing), Patchouli (healing and anti inflammatory) and Rose (nourishing, soothing and antiseptic).

These products have well and truly earned a place on my Hero Product List!

Always do the patch test before applying any products to detect the reaction of your skin.

Other products in the range are available upon request - don't be shy!

To order any product from Rituals Beauty, call 0789 4120073 or email hello@ritualsbeauty.co.uk. If you aren't local, I offer a postal service for a little extra cost.

Images via Outback Organics