As children across Mayo prepare to head back to the classroom, A Vogel herbal advisor Nicola Murphy gives parents her top four remedies to ensure they stay healthy this September.
Cold and flu viruses spread easily from classroom to classroom, particularly at the start of a new school term. While it is important that a child’s immune system is exposed to challenges from time to time to allow him to mature, an immune system that is already weak will not benefit from repeated infections.
Echinacea and vitamin C are a great combination and help support the immune system and prevent infections. Echinacea works to strengthen immunity, helping to keep nasty cold and flu symptoms at bay. Vitamin C helps to support the production of antibodies so your child’s immune system can work more effectively. To avoid chlidren ending up on the couch with a dose of September sniffles, a combination of Echinacea Junior and Nature C, a natural form of this immune boosting vitamin, will help to ensure a healthy start to the new school year.
Nits are an inevitable hazard of going back to school for Irish youngsters. If your child starts to scratch, make sure to tackle those itchy pests straight away. NeemCare Riddance Shampoo contains Neem seed extract, a highly effective treatment against head lice. It has proven natural insecticidal activity, which prevents the cell growth, feeding, and reproduction of nits. Use every day for four days and repeat again after seven days to ensure your child’s hair stays nit free.
Atrogel is essential first-aid for schoolyard bumps and bruises. It soothes and treats bruises and sprains quickly and effectively giving instant relief after a tumble in the playground or sports pitch. Made from extracts of fresh arnica flowers, this easy to apply non-greasy gel is the ideal treatment to relieve your child’s daily knocks and falls.
A Vogel Echinacea Junior Tablets (€11.80 ), Nature C (€6.45 ) NeemCare Riddance Shampoo (€9.40 ) and Atrogel (€14.95 ) are available from Mayo health food stores and selected pharmacies. See www.avogel.ie for details.
