Posted on: March 17, 2026
Don’t forget to change your clocks when you go to bed on Saturday night. Daylight savings time ends this Sunday at 2 AM which means you’ll get an extra hour to sleep in on Sunday.
Fire safety officials like to point out that this is a good time to test and switch the batteries on your smoke detectors. I think that it’s also a good time to look at your health, and prepare your immune system for the cold and flu season. It’s time to make sure you have all the essentials on hand when the first signs of a sore throat, or sniffle show their ugly face. This is a standard “first aid remedy kit” that I recommend to all of my patients:
Cold and Flu First Aid Remedy Kit
- Chemical-free liquid soap and automatic soap dispenser (to keep the germs away)
- Elbows and tissues (to control the spread of germs)
- Herbal teas (I like Traditional Medicinals Seasonal Herb Tea Sampler: Organic Throat Coat, Organic Echinacea Plus, Breathe Easy, Gypsy Cold Care. Drink 3 cups a day)
- Oil of Oregano (This is anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and broad spectrum. Make sure to take this with a probiotic)
- Probiotics (Please make sure that you buy a GOOD QUALITY probiotic. It should be found in the refrigerated section of your health food store or naturopathic office. I like Genestra, Natren, NFH, and Advanced Naturals).
- Homeopathic remedies (At the first sign of cold and flus, I use and recommend products from Heel Canada. These products are from Germany, and have research and randomized control trials on their efficacy).
- Vitamin C (Again, use a trusted brand from your health food store or naturopathic office. They come buffered, and with added bioflavanoids)
- Vitamin D (This essential vitamin helps to mature white blood cells/antibodies, and is absolutely necessary in our northern hemisphere through the year, despite exposure to the sun. I dose very high when you are fighting an infection, and you should always be tested for deficiency. Ask your doctor for a serum 25-OH Vitamin D test. It’s no longer covered by OHIP, but it can be covered by your extended health insurance plan).
Please contact me at [email protected] to book your individualized consultation. You are likely covered for about $500 per calendar year of naturopathic coverage. Talk to your HR or Health insurance provider for exact details of your plan. Hurry to book your appointment this year, before your coverage runs out.
Did you know that you can prevent the flu? Consult me at [email protected] for more information!