The time to treat a cold is when you don't have one! As with many things in life, prevention is always better than the cure. Our Mediterranean diet and climate help considerably in the battle against colds and flu but even here they are very difficult to escape. However, you can take some simple dietary and lifestyle steps which will help you fight off those dreaded viruses.

Good nutrition is essential in resisting and recovering from a cold.  It’s important to eat a balanced diet all year round, not just in the winter months, but as the days shorten and the weather turns cold there are some special foods and herbs that can give us all a boost. Garlic and ginger contain natural anti-bacterial properties that help the immune system to fight infection and help prevent bacteria from invading our tissues.  Garlic also contains a compound called allicin, which is one of the plant kingdom’s most potent antibiotics and is most effective eaten raw, chopped into salads or soups – eat with some parsley to help with the ‘garlic breath’ - but if that all seems like a step too far then it can be taken in capsule format.

Olive oil isn’t the only healthy gift bestowed by our region’s most prized tree. Olive leaf extract is considered to be anti-bacterial and has the ability to halt infections. Perhaps less commonly used here, it has been employed for many centuries by Middle Eastern cultures to treat coughs, sore throats and fever. It can be found in tea, capsule or tincture format  - anyone considering taking any supplements should always consult a doctor before doing so.

Since colds and flu tend to strike during the darker winter months, some researchers believe a lack of vitamin D, the “sunshine” vitamin, might have something to do with making us more susceptible, so enjoy our great climate and get out and about in the sun as often as possible.

Colds spread from person to person and are highly contagious. Coughing, sneezing or hand to hand contact will easily pass the virus on and the virus can live for several hours on everyday surfaces. Become slightly germ-obsessed in the winter months. Make sure that you and your family wash your hands regularly and wipe down kitchen and office surfaces as often as you can.

If you do notice cold symptoms then your first line of attack is to drink plenty of hot fluids as this will warm your throat and slow down the replication of the virus. Try adding some healing herbs such as lime flower, peppermint, sage or ginger to give additional antiviral properties, strengthen the respiratory system and eliminate toxins. You may also find that the heat helps to unblock a stuffy nose.

I am a qualified nutritional therapist with my own practice in Biot. I am passionate about all aspects of natural health and will work with you to fnd the best régime to suit your lifestyle. I hope these pages will be of some help to you and you can always contact me for a personal consultation. If you are a registered member you can also see my Workshop entry here on The Riviera Woman. To make an appointment please call +33 (0)6 08 77 81 58 or go to www.nutritionaltherapy.biz