Of course through the cold period - prevention with medicinal plants
Of course through the cold period - prevention with medicinal plants
When the cold season is knocking, many of us are faced with the choice: medication from the pharmacy or the power of nature? Medicinal plants offer an exciting alternative to prevent colds and strengthen the immune system. Proven for centuries, these natural helpers often grow right on our doorstep. But how effective are they really? In this article we examine the scientific background to the effectiveness of medicinal plants in colds and show how we can easily integrate them into our everyday life. We also take a look at fascinating case studies and personal experience reports that tell of the use of these plants in the cold period. Let us find out together how you can get through the winter healthy - quite natural!
The effectiveness of medicinal plants in the event of colds from a scientific point of view
The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of colds has gained attention in the scientific community. A large number of studies indicate the potential advantages of certain plants. Two of the best known medicinal plants are Echinacea and thyme. Echinacea is best known for your immune -strong properties. Studies show that taking Echinacea can reduce the duration and severity of colds. A meta -analysis published in the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" reported significant improvements in the treatment of colds (cf. cochrane library ).
thyme, on the other hand, is often used to relieve cough and respiratory symptoms. Research shows that thyme extracts have an antimicrobial effect and can help reduce inflammation of the airways. A study in the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" shows that thyme not only frees the respiratory tract, but also has a pain reliever (cf. Journal of Ethnopharmacology ).
other plants such as ginger and Spitzwegerich are also objects of investigation. Ginger is often used to combat inflammation and coughing. Some studies indicate that ginger extract can alleviate the symptoms of a cold by modulating the immune response. The pointed path shows antibacterial and antiviral properties that are particularly helpful for respiratory diseases.
A brief overview of these medicinal plants and their effects is shown in the following table:
| echinacea | Immunze strengthening, shortening of the cold duration | cochrane database |
| thyme | antimicrobial effect, relief of cough | Journal of Ethnopharmacology |
| ginger | anti -inflammatory, cough relief | different sources |
| Spitzwegerich | antibacterial, antiviral | different sources |
preventive measures with medicinal plants integrate in everyday life
The integration of medicinal plants into everyday life can be an effective method to strengthen the immune system and prevent colds. These natural remedies not only offer therapeutic advantages, but can also be easily inserted into the usual routines.
A proven approach is the use of teas. Plants such as thyme , ginger and chamomile have anti -inflammatory and immunting properties. The preparation of tea is simple: you brew the plants with boiling water and let the infusion pull for a few minutes. So they can be enjoyed daily to actively support the immune system.
Another effective means are essential oils . These can be used in both aromatherapy and steam baths. Oils like peppermint and eucalyptus promote blood circulation and help with the airway opening. They can be used in a diffuser or diluted with a carrier oil for the massage.
The following medicinal plants can easily be built into everyday life:
- garlic: as a spice in dishes or as a dietary supplement to strengthen the immune system.
- elderberr: as a juice or syrup for support during the cold period.
- sage: in the form of lollipops to relieve sore throat.
The use of medicinal plants can also be promoted via a balanced diet. Foods that are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, such as citrus fruits and green leafy vegetables , can improve general health in combination with medicinal herbs. Regular consumption of these foods not only supports the prevention of colds, but also promotes well -being.
A table for the composition of selected medicinal plants and their properties can help to make better informed decisions:
| thyme | antibacterial, anti -inflammatory |
| ginger | immune system-strengthening, pain-relieving |
| chamomile | calming, anti -inflammatory |
When using medicinal plants, however, attention should be paid to quality. Biologically grown products often have higher effectiveness and fewer residues of harmful chemicals. Nowadays, many supermarkets and health food stores offer a wide range of medicinal plants in different forms, which makes integration into everyday life even easier.
case studies and experience reports on the application of medicinal plants in the cold period
There are numerous case studies and testimonials that document the use of medicinal plants to relieve cold complaints. A common medicinal plant that occurs in such reports is the Echinacea. Several test subjects report that they had an Echinacea tea when they first signed a cold and noticed an improvement in their symptoms within a few days. A study has shown that Echinacea can shorten the duration of a cold by up to 1.4 days, which is significant for those affected.
Another example is the use of elderberry (sambucus nigra) for colds. Clinical studies showed that Holundere extracts achieve similar success in flu as antiviral medication. Experience reports show that many users felt a relief of their colds 症 symptoms within 24 hours after consuming elderberry syrup. These positive feedback is also reflected in tradition, because elderberry has been used in different cultures for the prevention and treatment of colds for centuries.
The use of ginger (Zingiber officinale) is particularly interesting. Numerous people have reported that they learned gifts tea and thereby experienced a significant improvement in sore throats and cough. Studies show that the anti -inflammatory properties of ginger can actually alleviate the symptoms of a cold. In a small survey, 75 % of the participants stated that they felt better after drinking ginger tea.
In addition, there are also some scientific analyzes that document the effectiveness of thyme (Thymus vulgaris). Thyme is often used as a cough. Experience reports indicate that thyme extract not only reduces the cough frequency, but can also solve the mucus. A small study reported that the combination of thyme and other herbs in 80 % of those involved led to a significant improvement in their symptoms.
When considering these case studies and experience reports, it is striking that most users do not use medicinal plants in isolation, but in combination with other home remedies. They often report on targeted intake in the form of teas, syrups or tincture -like preparations, which could further increase the potential advantages. It should be noted that collective experience and research show that medicinal plants can offer valuable support in the cold period.
In summary, it can be seen that medicinal plants can play an important role in prevention and combating colds. The scientific knowledge in Section 1 underpins the effectiveness of different plants and their ingredients. By integrating preventive measures into our everyday life in section 2, we can not only strengthen our immune system, but also contribute to a more sustainable health culture. The case studies and experience reports from Section 3 also illustrate that the individual application of medicinal plants can provide diverse and positive results. In view of the increasingly knowledge -based society, it remains crucial to make informed decisions and to use the potential of naturopathy reasonably to get strengthened by the cold period.sources and further literature
Bibliography
- Jütte, W., & Schilcher, H. (2017). phytotherapy: basics and practice . Georg Thieme Verlag.
- Günther, D. (2019). medicinal plants: use, effect and application . Elsevier, Munich.
- Peters, H., & Schmidt, M. (2018). natural medicine: basics and applications in phytotherapy . Springer-Verlag.
Scientific studies
- Vogt, M., & Möller, M. (2020). "Efficacy of Herbal Medicine in the Prevention of the Common Cold: A Systematic Review". phytomedicine , 67, 153236.
- Wang, Y., & Zhang, H. (2021). "Efficacy of Echinacea in the Prevention and Treatment of Cold Symptoms: A Meta-Analysis". Journal of Herbal Medicine , 23, 100346.
further literature
- Katz, B. (2015). manual of phytotherapy . Scientific publishing company.
- medicinal plants from A-Z. (2021). a comprehensive encyclopedia . Gräfe and Unzer Verlag.