The cold winter weather places an inevitable strain on our immune systems which are already stretched by pregnancy. Many of the normal cold and flu tablets are not safe during pregnancy, but that doesn’t mean you need to suffer! Here’s our top natural remedies for preventing and curing winter colds, all of which are safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding:
- Sleep is the best cure! Although it’s not always possible with pregnancy insomnia and aching hips keeping you awake. Try to nap during the day when possible.
- Go Green! Maintain your health with daily Spirulina tablets or mix up a drink using Vital Greens (available from chemists or in some supermarkets) – or better still, use a NutriBullet to make a green smoothie! Our favourite recipe is:
1 cup Kale or Baby Spinach (frozen works just as well)
1 cup Coconut Milk or Almond Milk
2 Oranges
1 Kiwi
Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/2 tablespoon fresh ginger
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric, to taste
Sprinkle of Chia Seeds
Blend the kale/spinach and coconut/almond milk together. Then add the rest of the ingredients.
- Sprinkle Cinnamon on your morning porridge, or at the first sign of a cold mix a teaspoon of honey and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon and take it 3 times per day
- Ester C – this is a high dosage vitamin C tablet which can be taken at the first sign of a cold
- If you do get a cold, add turmeric, ginger, honey and lemon to a cup of warm water and drink 2 – 3 times per day. Go easy on the ginger when pregnant as it can be overly warming for your body
- Try Kali Mur – a homeopathic remedy for reducing congestion and swollen glands, taken as tissue salt tablets
- Olive leaf extract is great but ONLY safe when breastfeeding (not when you’re pregnant)
- There are also some great Chinese herbs that can knock a cold on the head really quickly but you’d need to get them from your acupuncturist or a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner
- Get a regular adjustment from a Chiropractor who is specialised in working with pregnant women. Numerous research studies have shown that chiropractic treatments can help improve the functioning of your immune system.
And last but not least, stay relaxed and nourished with your weekly yoga classes – it might be more of an effort to leave the house in the cold weather but your body will thank you for keeping the blood circulating!
Prepare for your best birth with virtual prenatal yoga classes.
