"Everything contributes to weaken our immune system," says Alain Robert, a doctor of pharmacy specializing in homeopathy, herbal medicine and aromatherapy.

"The cold and the humidity contribute to the recrudescence of the viruses and the bacteria , the lack of sun causes a vitamin D deficiency and the seasonal depression which is linked to it." To make matters worse, one jostles oneself in the malls, the doctor's office, hospital emergencies, where all viruses incubate ", describes the author of the" Practical Guide to Homeopathy ", recently published by Marie-Claire.

Good news: alternative medicine offers a rich palette of tips and simple gestures to fetish the body against this great microbial bath.

Common sense in cooking

Food is our first medicine, the simplest too, provided we use common sense.

Fresh fruits and vegetables, fish and quality meat ... eat a little of everything without forgetting to please you. Favor aromatics that, in addition to trace elements and vitamins , provide phyto-chemical compounds (sulfur derivatives, flavonoids, anthocyanins and other super antioxidant super molecules) all beneficial for our immunity.

Weapon of mass destruction of bacteria: garlic . Like turmeric , you can put it everywhere!

The tip of Alain Robert: prepare your dishes by crushing with a knife cloves of raw garlic peeled. Let stand 6 to 8 minutes before using. Garlic will thus manufacture in abundance its famous antiseptic and anticancer molecules.

A good plan easy and inexpensive: the miracle broth of our grandmothers: in a stew, put to simmer two hours carcass of chicken, garlic, onion, parsley, carrot, parsley, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf ... To sip as usual dinner or mono diet Sunday.

"A soup is like a decoction, you get hydrated and you fill up on vitamins and more," enthuses Alain Robert. Are you bothered by the smell of garlic? Chew a sprig of fresh parsley or a bean of coffee to find fresh breath .

To care for your intestinal flora

Against all odds, that's where most of our immune system is.

" An inflamed bowel is distended and no longer plays its role as a filter.It passes bacteria, heavy metals and other large molecules that attack and disrupt our immune system," says Alain Robert.

Not to mention that a weak intestinal flora poorly fixes vitamins and trace elements, aggravating the difficulty of the body to defend itself.

Solution: eat better, chew your food, drink enough water . As a boost, glutamine capsules, an amino acid, help to calm the inflammation of the digestive tract while nourishing the cells of the intestine. Once recovered their Olympic form, these "enterocytes" again fulfill their role of barrier.

Another super anti-inflammatory, curcumin (extracted from turmeric ), which removes the cells of the intestines in addition. Its assimilation is optimal when it is coupled to the molecule of resveratrol, a super antioxidant, or to quercetin, another plant flavonoid. Associations that offer the formulas Curcumicine or Flavocurcumine.

Once our intestinal mucosa in better condition, our flora (microbiota) grows better. It is advisable to reseed the latter from time to time with a cure of probiotics well chosen and in sufficient quantity. Example: The Yerbaflore cocktail mixes 8 strains with distinct roles. Lactibiane Defense and Lactibiane H-Py strengthen the immune system and the intestinal mucosa respectively. Manual ? 3 weeks of treatment, followed by a week off, to resume all winter.

Stimulate its anti-body

In addition to the traditional vitamin C cocktail and trace elements, Echinacea Purple (also Purpurea, Latin, the most concentrated immuno-stimulant principles) acts on innate immunity and acquired immunity.

It helps the body to open its broad-spectrum shield against attackers and foreign bodies while stimulating the production of specific anti-bodies against bacteria.

"Mixed with vitamin C, it reduces by 88% the risk of catching a cold, " says Alain Robert. Be sure to always take short breaks - a few days without any supplement - to avoid overheating the body.

Fight microbes with essential oils

Used properly, essential oils are powerful protection and prevention agents. Not recommended for pregnant women, epileptics or in cases of allergic or asthmatic grounds, they should be administered with care to children.

The magic formula of Alain Robert? Rub your forearms once a day with a blend of pure essential oils of SARO, eucalyptus radiata and tea tree . For children, simply dilute the mix in a neutral vegetable oil . If classmates' derogatory remarks about the smell of plants, go for the evening ritual.

In diffusion, the essential oils of eucalyptus radiata and tea tree sanitize the air - but avoid that the children are in the room. Eucalyptus or sage leaves can be burned in an incense burner or boiled and the vapors purified.

Antibacterial, anti fungal and anti viral essential oils to ingest are also effective against viruses, unlike antibiotics, but also on the flu and angina.

Dilute one to two drops in a teaspoon of olive oil or honey , consume during meals so as not to irritate the mucous membranes. You can also soak a sugar or a little crumb of bread.

Winter stars: tee tree, lemon (effective and cheap), thujanol thyme (a bit more expensive) and eucalyptus radiata. More aggressive, cinnamon, savory and oregano, will rather be taken in capsules.

Finally, avoid the entry of microbes and viruses by air cleaning the nose regularly with seawater or saline. At the same time, you eliminate the allergenic agents attached to the nostrils: mold, pollen and other dusts that trigger the allergic component of rhinitis.

Strengthen the ground thanks to homeopathy

In prevention, take one dose per week of Influenzinum in 9CH (its formula is made from the vaccine of the year) the first month, then one dose per month until the end of winter.

Combine a dose of Thimulin 9CH at the same frequency but scheduled for a different day of the week.

Fragile intestines? Avoid gastroenteritis with a dose of Yersin Serum in 9CH every 15 days alternating with a dose of Aviaire 9CH, also every other week. The children will take every morning 3 granules of Echinacea in 5CH.

And if one is (already) sick?

Proper hydration allows the body to better fight. Opt for herbal-based antiseptic respiratory plants: eucalyptus, pine, thyme, wild thyme, hyssop, lavender and peppermint.

Choose preferably organic or controlled (with an analysis report compliant with the French pharmacopoeia, even stricter than organic).

In special children's tea: eucalyptus, thyme, savory, rosemary, hyssop, lavender work miracles.

In case of cough , sip an infusion of Erysimum or liquorice (anti-inflammatory and fluidifying). To cure dry coughs, prefer drinks based on wild pansy, thyme, horehound, poppy flower, white broth. 2 or 3 drops of tee tree or eucalytus radiata essential oil on the pillow help to clear the stuffy nose.

Influenza special recipe in adults:

Fever , joint pain, body aches? Combine essential oil of oregano (2 capsules three times a day) friction from the head to the feet of a homemade mixture (15 ml of equal quantity mixture of ravinsara, lemon eucalyptus, and caffeine rosemary, with emphasis on the bronchi and painful joints).

This is called an aromatic embalming! The first night, expect a good sweat ; take paracetamol if the fever is high. Moist well with herbal teas. In 72 hours, you are on foot!