In our species it is normal to contract respiratory system infections in the first few years of our lives.
When we are born, we have fully developed resistance to things which we may ingest or which may infect us through damage to our skin.
However we dont take our first breath until we leave the womb, and although we are initially protected by piggy backing on our mothers immunity through breast milk, this only lasts for 6 months. At this time this protection switches off and we are left to develop our own immunity to the multitude of bugs which we are exposed to with every breath.
This is all as it should be and the experience that parents have of their children getting lots of infections during their early teething is also how is should be.
We were provided with the caring instincts and herbs which we were meant to use to help our babies over these first few years while their own immune system develops to maturity. Properly encouraged and supported, by the age of around 7 years, our children should be able to throw off even a pretty severe respiratory infection after a fever and illness of 2 or 3 days maximum.
We used to give rosehips syrup, hot lemon drinks and all sorts of gargles and poultices made from herbs to help our systems fight the infections and emerge stronger with each exposure.
Needless to say, through intervention in every infection with antibiotics and every fever with asprin, we have subverted this normal process and many of our children never really develop their own immunity at all well and can be prone to such infections all their lives.
Some folk seem to be more prone to Sinus and Ear Infections, others to Throat and Chest Infections and there are many simple home remedies which we can use to assist in general. The herbs Lemon, Garlic, Rosehips, Fenugreek and Thyme cover the whole range of possible weaknsses pretty well and all should be included in all childrens diets.
In particular, to treat a case of a patient whose weakness seems to be more in the throat area, maybe involving the tonsils in a younger person or the throat generally in an older perosn. I provide specific support for these cases by making up a herbal combination of: Yarrow, Garlic, Rosehips, Ginger, Thyme Cayenne, Liquorice and Nettle with the Bach Flower Remedies: Olive and Chestnut Bud.
This mixture given three times daily in a hot Rosehips and Lemon drink will quickly clear a throat infection and, if continued for 3 or 4 weeks after the symptoms have gone, will build up the immunity in the area dramatically.
Some folk place very high demands on their throat or vocal cords through their professional lives as singers, speakers or teachers.
To assist such persons I make up a herbal combination of: Rosehips, Yarrow, Thyme and Marshmallow which is to be added to a fresh lemon drink and taken before they start using their voice. Then as opportunity provides, they should sip as frequently as possible the same combination during their performances, and again afterward.
Such a simple practice will minimise thoat irritation and stress on the vocal cords, reduce the likelihood of larangitis and preserve a singers voice.
For an adult with a more chronic problem, or for additional support, I recommend also that they take a 1/4 teaspoon of dried Thyme and make a tea with boiling water. This tea when cooled to a comfortable temperature may be gargled morning and evening to provide additional protection against reinfection.
This sort of course may be repeated as frequently as you need until your own, or your childs immunity is fully strong.
It is as simple as that.