With immune strength, one passes through major infectious epidemics and challenges relatively unaffected; one's terrain is simply too well protected to succumb. I say "relatively" because the common cold that progresses in most from upper to lower respiratory symptoms, for instance, may never affect the bronchi in a strong host. It behooves us to attain maximal immune strength and to facilitate that for our families as well.

The Blood Type Diet is a crucial avenue to host immunity, as are blood type-specific lifestyles, fitness choices, and nutritional supplements. Then, if one does succumb to infectious illness, one may be afflicted to a lesser degree than otherwise.

I also favor French-school aromamedical approaches to the palliation of an infection's symptoms, as these naturally strengthn the terrain and host-immunity at the same time. Significantly, many essential oils are actually anti-viral, whereas allopathic medicine has yet to compete with these, synthetically or derivatively. Certain essential oils also strengthen the liver, helping to rid the body of infectious debris during convalescence, plus: They uplift mood and disinfect the sickroom.

Remember that antibiotics are over-prescribed and are actually harmful in cases wherein they are inappropriately matched to the specific infective organism. The overwhelming majority of cold and flu cases do not require them, and, often, even severe cases of viral illness are better served without resorting to them.

One knows one is robustly healthy when a cold is suffered briefly with no chest symptoms, or when one is on the verge of succumbing to the cold and doesn't. Though I'm rarely ill, I recently came down with a cold and spent 3 days at home with it. I used no nighttime antihistamine and, yet, when it was finished with my nose and sinuses, it was OVER. I'd had no fever, no hoarseness, and no bronchial congestion. I emerged from it feeling very vigorous on day 4. Most important, I know that the immunity I enhanced by permitting my own system to rally to the challenge will stand me in good stead the next time I'm exposed to a cold virus (something particularly important for my blood type, B, which, Dr. D'Adamo teaches, is somewhat more prone to debilitating viral infection).

Over-The-Counter symptom relievers may be required at bedtime and/or if one must be out and about during the early phase. One can gradually learn to implement self-care with natural substances, however, and it is actually more considerate to isolate oneself from social contact at this critically contagious time.

For the common cold, steam vaporization is highly effective. The infusion of mucolytic and decongestant essential oils into the the steam brings relief, and these can also be incorporated into chest rubs and nasal ointments. Antiviral and antiseptic essences are good choices, too, for diffusion and, if available, internal application. Peppermint gelcaps now grace the shelves of health food stores: Take as directed during the convalescence phase for natural hepatic support. The herb thyme is a phenomenal expectorant. Use thyme teabags (or a sprig of thyme) in your teapot.

If at all possible, head off what feels like an imminent cold, by taking a Larch-elderberry supplement, drinking double-packets of Alacer Emergen-C, and letting drops of eucalyptus globulus essential oil fall onto the edge of your mattress/pillow or onto tissues placed around the head of your bed...or vaporizing them overnight; this latter essential oil can be a real miracle worker! And try to avoid your blood types "avoids".

"Cold Season" comes around at least once a year. Learn what works and. over time, you'll find yourself often resisting all signs of it.