It's that time of year again where it feels almost impossible to avoid the dreaded cold – but no one wants to feel fluey at Christmas time.
While washing your hands and avoiding public spaces can help, it isn't always possible. One thing you can do is keep specific plants in your home which are thought to help you avoid getting colds and flu.
Research identified in a report commissioned by plant-based health products Puressentiel recently found that houseplants can improve indoor air quality.
Wellness expert Dr Tim Bond from Puressentiel explained how plants play a huge role in our health and wellbeing.
He told The Mirror: "Essential oils borne out of plants help bust colds and other respiratory illnesses by reducing indoor toxins, moulds, viruses, and bacteria so improving air quality.
"Poor indoor air quality helps respiratory illnesses spread and worsen. By purifying the air with plant based essential oils that have an anti-inflammatory action can help prevent colds and flu and is good news for our immune health."
Dr Bond has also shared some of the top houseplants that can help prevent colds and flu this winter.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus, which grows well outside can also be brought indoors, says Dr Bond.
He added: "Eucalyptus has long been used for respiratory illnesses and has huge potential for preventing and treating respiratory conditions like colds and flu."
Lavender
Lavender is often considered to be an outdoor plant, but it can thrive well indoors provided you put it in a sunny spot.
Dr Bond said: "Lavender has long been recognised as a gentle but effective sleep aid, and a good night’s sleep is essential for maintaining immune function and helping to fight off colds and flu, so Dr Bond recommends putting it in your bedroom."
Echinacea
Echinacea can grow tall indoors, with a sun room or enclosed balcony being the ideal place.
Echinacea is widely used to treat and prevent colds and flu, said Dr Bond. "It stimulates immune function through increasing the effectiveness of the mucosal barrier in the respiratory passages including the nose," he continued.
A review of 14 studies found that echinacea may lower the risk of developing colds by more than 50% and shorten the duration of colds by one and a half days.
English Ivy
"English Ivy reduces toxins in indoor air, like formaldehyde and also reduces mould, which is very common in the winter due to condensation," said Dr Bond.
Mould can be a source of respiratory tract irritation and inflammation. There are also some other houseplants that can help protect against damp and mould.
Geranium
Geranium is a very popular outdoor plant but it thrives indoors too.
It has antiviral properties and inhalation of geranium oil has long been recommended by herbalists to ease, colds, flu and sinusitis symptoms.
Geranium is a natural air filter, helping to purify the air and stop the spread of respiratory infections like colds and flu.
Dr Bond recommends Puressentiel's Purifying Air Spray, which includes 41 essential oils – including two species of lavender, eucalyptus, lemon and geranium.
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