Of course, a full consultation is always initially recommended to identify the cause of your current state of health and for a personalised wellness plan that covers all areas of your life.

Apart from herbal medicine, you also receive dietary recommendations and lifestyle suggestions to balance your life and your health.

However, have some faith in yourself and your body’s ability to cope! You can treat yourself first. For example, Colds and flu are easy! Try three cups per day of Plant Essentials’ Winter Blues Tea Blend, increase your citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, strawberries, carrots, capsicum, tomato, paw paw, pineapple and green vegetable intake. Burn Breathe Easy Essential Oil blend to decongest. If you have a sore throat, gargle 20 drops of myrrh tincture in half a glass of water twice daily. Take 40-50mg zinc daily with food for three days then drop to half of that dose (high zinc foods include oysters, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pecans, hazelnuts, fish, kelp, alfalfa, lima beans, mushrooms, soybeans and whole grains).

Other excellent anti-viral herbs include Echinacea, Elder, St John’s Wort and Pau d’arco. Cat’s Claw and Andrographis are herbs available from your naturopath that are powerful immunity enhancers.

Natural medicine works on raising the Vital Force – our own healing ability. This includes boosting your immune system, oxygenating the blood, encouraging cell regeneration after damage, improving digestion and increasing energy levels. Herbs and correct nutrition can stimulate your body to achieve this.

Remember, being “not sick” is not the same as being “well”. You can achieve optimal health. See your qualified health professional if you are not better within five days.