​Autumn is here, time for snuggly knitwear, pumpkin spice… and stocking up on cold and flu tablets! October marks the start of 'winter bug' season in the UK, with a whopping 1.5 million people visiting their GP each autumn with cold or flu symptoms – and millions more self-medicating at home with over-the-counter remedies.
But did you know cold and flu medicines may not be your best bet for feeling well, now that viruses are on the rise? In fact, while they can temporarily mask symptoms, they don't help your body recover any faster, and won't boost your immune system to prevent you from falling ill AGAIN. So what's the alternative, if you're looking for natural, effective ways to support your immune system this winter? And could supplements, like our handy vitamin patches, help you stay fit and well?
​What’s the problem with cold and flu tablets?
Most cold and flu tablets contain painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, alongside a cocktail of other drugs like phenylephrine to manage symptoms. Found in lots of medicines, phenylephrine was thought to help decrease swelling in the nose and thin and loosen mucus in the airways. However, in 2023, the FDA released research suggesting it doesn't actually work!
And that's not the only reason cold and flu tablets aren't always the answer; some studies show that suppressing fever could actually prolong viral shedding. Potentially keeping you sick for longer AND increasing the risk of spreading infection. So not only will you feel lousy, your family and work colleagues are more likely to share the germs too!
Many medications also contain lots of 'fillers', ingredients that won't make any difference to how you feel, but are added to make pills or capsules because the amount of active drug is too small to be handled conveniently. Check the back of the pack and you'll spot dozens of 'filler' ingredients, commonly substances like magnesium stearate, gelatin, and glycerin. Not ideal if you have sensitivities to these ingredients (and something you don't need to worry about with patches, where the active ingredients are delivered transdermally – with no need for fillers.)
And then there are cold and flu tablets side effects like drowsiness, digestive upset, or raised blood pressure…
​So, what can you do instead of taking cold and flu tablets?
If you'd prefer to tackle bugs by avoiding getting ill in the first place, there are plenty of things you can do to strengthen your immune system. There are plenty of science-backed, natural ways to stay healthy during cold and flu season – and none of them involve artificial fillers or symptom-masking meds to relieve your symptoms:
Here are 4 ways to support your health:
1. Strengthen your immune system daily
Your immune system is your best defence against falling ill. Instead of waiting to get sick, start supporting it now – so there's no need for cold and flu tablets!
Our Immune Defense Plus Patch is a fantastic immune-boosting 'catch-all'. Packed with ingredients like zinc, a must-have for the development and function of your immune cells, and vitamin D, which helps activate your immune system by boosting the function of immune cells like T-cells and macrophages, while also calming inflammation by reducing the release of cytokines, which can worsen illness. It also contains tried and tested herbal helpers like elderberry and echinacea, which one study showed could reduce the duration of a cold by 67%, if taken when you start to feel under the weather.
For super-duper immune support, pair Immune Defense with the Vitamin C Plus Patch. While Immune Defence already contains vitamin C, adding a more concentrated source can give your immune system an extra boost. Vitamin C helps your white blood cells work more efficiently, protects them from damage, and strengthens your skin’s barrier against germs, all of which help your body fight off colds and flu more effectively. Plus, using a daily vitamin C patch isn't just preventative; it may also help shorten the duration of illness if you do catch something, with plenty of scientific research to support this benefit.
​2. Prioritise quality sleep
Lack of sleep weakens your immune response, mainly because not getting enough rest can reduce the levels of protective cytokines that help you recover, as well as lower the number of antibodies and infection-fighting cells.
Of course, it’s hard to sleep when your nose is streaming or you’re worrying about taking time off, so it’s no surprise that many of us turn to cold and flu tablets at night to knock ourselves out. But if you’d prefer a natural alternative – without the groggy morning-after feeling that many cold remedies leave behind – Magnesium could be the answer. This essential mineral plays a key role in promoting deep, restorative sleep, and our Tri-Magnesium Patch is a brilliant way to supplement, as it delivers the active ingredient steadily over the eight hours you wear it. Helping you get that all-important rest your body needs to recover.
3. Keep moving (but don’t overdo it)
Regular, moderate exercise boosts circulation and immune cell activity, so it's important to stay active in autumn and winter. But don't go mad! Overtraining can suppress immunity, so aim for 30 minutes of walking, yoga, or light cardio most days of the week.
4. Eat immune-nourishing foods
Fill your plate with colourful fruits and veg, fermented foods, and protein-rich meals. For a deeper dive on how diet can improve your microbiome, and in turn your immune system, and more lifestyle tips on improving immunity, read: Healthy habits – what your daily routine should include to boost immunity and wellbeing.
