Ever been caught in the clutches of a nasty cold or a relentless flu, wishing for a quick remedy? We've all been there. There IS something you can do to speed up recovery and get back to your plans. Supplements are a great way to give the body what it needs while on the mend, but it can be confusing to know what to take and when.
In this guide, we'll navigate the realm of vitamins and herbs and their role in combating colds & the flu. Let’s answer questions like “Which supplements pack the punch needed to combat sickness effectively? How do they work, and which ones are worth incorporating into your regimen?” and most importantly: “which should I take to get better quicker?”
This root has been recognized for centuries for its cold and flu relief properties. And it’s no wonder ginger tea is a go-to, easy home remedy to soothe symptoms. Ginger has over 400 different compounds, and gingerol is one of the most important, especially since it’s been linked to anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity.1 Studies show that ginger can prevent viruses from overstaying their welcome. 1 Not only does it prevent viruses from entering and replicating, but it can also influence the immune system to be more vigilant.1 One quick and easy way of incorporating this root while you’re already sick is with ginger tea. Another easy way is with Jamieson’s Ginger, as it’s traditionally used in herbal medicine to help relieve bronchitis as well as coughs and colds.
Another herb that is a staple in almost everyone’s kitchen, garlic is also found to help fight off colds & the flu. Research has indicated that allicin, one of How does garlic help with prevention and alleviation of colds and the flu Research shows that garlic can block viruses from entering cells and replicating.3 It also does a great job at strengthening the immune system – especially fighting cells like macrophages and antibiotic-producing B-cells, enabling them to work more effectively and fight off unwanted viruses.3 Try adding garlic to get a boost during the winter season, along with Jamieson’s Odourless Garlic.
Not only delicious on your favorite pasta, oregano also boasts strong antiviral, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Carvacrol, a key compound in oregano oil, has strong antimicrobial actions and works by damaging bacteria so they’re rendered ineffective.4 Jamieson has made it easy to get these antimicrobial benefits with its Oregano Oil plus Vitamin D and E. This supplement helps maintain immune function and helps reduce the number of upper respiratory tract infections and colds in those with a vitamin D deficiency.
Another must-have for treating colds & the flu is elderberry. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and anthocyanins, elderberry boosts antibacterial and antiviral activities as well.5 Research shows that those who supplement with elderberry experience fewer symptoms and spend fewer days having a cold.5 Based on the research, some health experts find elderberry a safer alternative to prescription drugs for common colds.6 A delicious way to benefit from elderberry is with Jamieson’s Elderberry Gummies with immune-fighting echinacea and ginger. They help relieve cold and flus symptoms, like coughs and sore throats, and are a family favourite that can be enjoyed by both adults and children!
Last but not least, Jamieson’s Cold Fighter has a synergetic blend of immune-supportive herbs like echinacea, and ginger and vitamins and minerals like vitamin C and zinc. Echinacea is another herb that positively 7 influences the immune system and helps reduce the incidence of colds.8 Vitamin C and zinc support immune cells so they can work more effectively. Jamieson’s Cold Fighter is an expertly formulated supplement that helps fight early signs of cold and flu symptoms and can help shorten the duration of upper respiratory tract infections.
Make sure you’re prepared for this cold and flu season with these 5 must-have supplements.
References:
- Jafarzadeh, A., Jafarzadeh, S., & Nemati, M. (2021). Therapeutic potential of ginger against COVID-19: Is there enough evidence?. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medical Sciences, 8(4), 267–279. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcms.2021.10.001
- West, H. (2021, September 28). How garlic fights colds and the flu. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/garlic-fights-colds-and-flu
- Rouf, R., Uddin, S. J., Sarker, D. K., Islam, M. T., Ali, E. S., Shilpi, J. A., Nahar, L., Tiralongo, E., & Sarker, S. D. (2020). Antiviral potential of garlic (Allium sativum) and its organosulfur compounds: A systematic update of pre-clinical and clinical data. Trends in food science & technology, 104, 219–234. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2020.08.006
- Wijesundara, N. M., Lee, S. F., Cheng, Z., Davidson, R., & Rupasinghe, H. P. (2021). Carvacrol exhibits rapid bactericidal activity against streptococcus pyogenes through cell membrane damage. Scientific Reports, 11(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-79713-0
- Wieland, L. S., Piechotta, V., Feinberg, T., Ludeman, E., Hutton, B., Kanji, S., Seely, D., & Garritty, C. (2021). Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 21(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03283-5
- Hawkins, J., Baker, C., Cherry, L., & Dunne, E. (2019). Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms: A meta-analysis of randomized, controlled clinical trials. Complementary therapies in medicine, 42, 361–365. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctim.2018.12.004
- Dobrange, E., Peshev, D., Loedolff, B., & Van den Ende, W. (2019). Fructansas immunomodulatory and antiviral agents: The case of echinacea. Biomolecules, 9(10), 615. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9100615
- Rondanelli, M., Miccono, A., Lamburghini, S., Avanzato, I., Riva, A., Allegrini, P., Faliva, M. A., Peroni, G., Nichetti, M., & Perna, S. (2018). Self-care for common colds: The pivotal role of Vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea in three main immune interactive clusters (physical barriers, innate and adaptive immunity) involved during an episode of common colds—practical advice on dosages and on the time to take these nutrients/botanicals in order to prevent or treat common colds. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2018, 1–36. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/5813095
