Supplements help fight winter woes

By KATHERINE HOBY

New Zealanders spend more than $100 million a year on nutritional supplements.

Some of the most popular supplements are those takenin winter, including vitamin B, for energy, and vitamin C and echinacea, both for relief of cold and flu.

Widespread disillusionment with modern medicines has led people to look to other sources for staying healthy.

Some popular herbal remedies and supplements are:

* Echinacea - used as a poultice by many Native American tribes. It prevents and treats colds, helps in recovery from illness, and has anti-bacterial properties.

* Garlic - a member of the lily family, was widely used in ancient Egypt. It is said to prevent and treat colds and flu. Sadly, it loses its efficacy for cold prevention when cooked.

* Ginger - a great sore-throat remedy. It can be taken in the form of ginger tea. Or slices of fresh ginger can be dropped into a thermos with a stick of cinnamon and boiling water. Add lemon and honey to taste.

* Vitamin C - many opt to take supplements but it is unwise to take very high doses. It is water soluble, and is not stored in the body - therefore excess is simply excreted.

Others worth a try:

* Olive leaf extract - contains oleuropein acid and interferes with the ability of a virus to replicate, and stimulates the immune system.

* Cat's claw - Peruvian Indians have used it for hundreds of years to treat immune disorders. Tea and capsule.

* Meanwhile, it seems your mum was right! If she fed you chicken soup as a child, it not only made you feel warmer, it aided recovery.

It used to be known as "Jewish penicillin" because Jewish mothers believed it relieved coughs, colds and other infections.

A doctor at Mt Sinai Medical Centre found the beneficial ingredient of chicken soup is a sulphur compound that helps the body to expel the nasty virus and bacteria more quickly.