Following on from the warm days of summer, the sudden onset of cold weather due to the arrival of winter can be a difficult time for the body. Illness caused by chills are often regarded as inevitable at the beginning of the cold season but in actual fact, chills are not to be dismissed as trivial and can result in colds and flu. When the body becomes chilled, it is more susceptible to infection.
Poor circulation means that the body cannot warm itself sufficiently when subjected to temperature changes and this in turn increases susceptibility to chills. That’s why it’s important to exercise in order to speed up slow circulation. It’s not enough to turn up the thermometer on the central heating. This will only serve to help germs circulate more easily.
To generate the heat your body needs, you must get blood moving and that means doing regular exercise. You don’t need to do anything too strenuous. Go for a 10-15 minute walk on a regular basis, run up and down stairs a couple of times, go swimming or cycling. Any exercise done regularly will be beneficial.
If you are planning to go walking, make sure your shoes fit correctly. If they are too tight they will actually make your circulation worse. It is very important to keep feet warm in order for the body to ward off colds. Warm feet indicate that the body is generally warm. Wear clothes made from natural fibres that not only keep you cosy but also allow the skin to breathe. If you have been outside in the snow or rain and are freezing cold on your return, take a hot shower or bath to get the heat up and circulation going again.
If you are not correctly dressed and venture outdoors from somewhere that is overheated and stuffy, the sudden drop in temperature can prove quite a shock for the body. When the body becomes chilled, cold germs present in the mucus membranes are awakened, leaving the membranes prone to infection from bacteria and flu viruses.
There are herbs that can improve the health of our circulatory system, one of those being Ginkgo biloba. It increases the blood supply to all areas of the body – excellent for people who suffer from Raynaud’s Disease or just plain cold hands and feet, or from poor memory and concentration due to sluggish blood flow to the head. It is suitable for long term use and works best if taken in the form of a tincture. If, however, you take Warfarin or long term Aspirin, you cannot take Ginkgo and should try a tincture of ginger instead. Ginger has a warming effect on the body, stimulates circulation and helps to deliver nutrients to the affected areas. It is also pleasant to taste.
With the arrival of the cold and damp weather we become less active. This is when people with bad joints start to feel the strain. Arnica is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory herbs and can be used as an external application in the form of a gel for people with painful joints and muscles. It is well known for its use for bruising and tissue damage too should you be unfortunate enough to suffer an injury due to the icy conditions of winter.
There is a tendency for people with joint pain to limit their movements thus compounding the problem. It is important to keep joints moving in order to increase blood flow and promote healing. The best way to achieve this is to incorporate 20 minutes of gently exercise such as swimming or walking into your daily routine. The form of exercise you choose should not cause you undue pain but just be enough to keep you mobile. If you are out walking in the cold make sure you keep joints warm by wrapping up well.
Alison Cullen is an education manager for the leading herbal remedy company A.Vogel. She has worked in the health industry since 1987. Alison lectures & trains on health issues, and is often to be found quoted in health magazines.