Pharmaceuticals
Echinaforce® Forte, Cold Resistance, Tablets
To boost the body’s natural defences in cases of susceptibility to colds, as well as in cases of colds accompanied by fever. It also supports the healing process during colds.
Boosting the Immune System: What Helps Strengthen Your Body's Defenses
The immune system protects the body from pathogens and helps it respond to infections. It works constantly in the background—especially when viruses and bacteria are more prevalent.
A healthy immune system does not depend on any single measure. What matters most is the combination of sleep, exercise, nutrition, hydration, rest, and well-moisturized mucous membranes.
How does the immune system work?
The immune system consists of various defense mechanisms. These include, among others:
- Skin and Mucous Membranes
- Stomach acid
- Gut flora
- Immune cells
- Antibodies
- Immune System Messengers
The skin and mucous membranes form the first line of defense. They prevent pathogens from easily entering the body. If pathogens do manage to get in, the immune system recognizes them and triggers a defensive response.
What weakens the immune system?
The body's immune system may be under temporary strain. Common factors that contribute to this include:
- not enough sleep
- prolonged stress
- unbalanced diet
- not enough fluids
- dry indoor air
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking
- Alcohol
- frequent infections
- certain medical conditions or medications
Not every infection automatically means a weak immune system. However, anyone who gets sick very often, or whose illness is unusually severe or prolonged, should consult a doctor to have this checked out.
What supports the immune system?
Get enough sleep
Sleep is important for recovery and resilience. People who consistently don't get enough sleep often feel more exhausted and vulnerable.
It helps to go to bed at the same time every night, have a quiet bedroom, and limit screen time before bed.
Exercise regularly
Exercise in the fresh air promotes circulation, metabolism, and well-being. Moderate activities such as walking, biking, hiking, or light endurance training are particularly suitable.
If you have a fever or feel very ill, you should avoid exercising.
Eating a Balanced Diet
A varied diet provides important nutrients. The following are particularly valuable:
- Vegetables and Fruits
- Whole-grain products
- Legumes
- Nuts and Seeds
- high-quality sources of protein
- healthy vegetable oils
Vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system.
Drink enough
Drinking plenty of water and unsweetened teas helps keep the mucous membranes moist. This is especially important when the air is dry from heating, when you talk a lot, or when you start to feel the first signs of a cold.
Caring for Mucous Membranes
The nose, mouth, and throat are important points of contact with the outside world. Dry mucous membranes may be more sensitive.
The following are helpful:
- Ventilate regularly
- Avoid dry indoor air
- drink enough
- Use saline solutions for the nose as needed
- Avoid smoke and strong odors
Reducing Stress
Prolonged stress can take a toll on the body. Short breaks, exercise, breathing exercises, spending time in nature, and getting enough rest can help relieve strain on the nervous system.
Nutrition for the Immune System
A healthy diet doesn't have to be complicated. The important thing is to ensure that your body gets a regular supply of energy, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
In everyday life, a simple guideline can be helpful:
- Eat fruits and vegetables every day
- Cook fresh meals as often as possible
- Choose whole wheat instead of white flour
- Make sure to include enough protein
- Use vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds
- Reduce your intake of highly processed foods
Individual foods cannot replace a balanced diet. What matters is the overall picture over several days and weeks.
The Immune System and the Gut
A large part of the immune system is closely connected to the gut. The gut microbiota, the intestinal mucosa, and immune cells work closely together there.
Fiber is particularly important for gut health. It is found in vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole-grain products, flaxseeds, and nuts, among other foods.
Learn more about gut health
The Immune System in Winter
Colds are more common during the cold season. This is due, in part, to the fact that people spend more time indoors and dry air irritates the mucous membranes.
Therefore, the following are important:
- Ventilate regularly
- Wash your hands
- drink enough
- Outdoor Exercise
- Do not overheat rooms
- get enough sleep
- Keep your distance from people who are sick
Purple Coneflower / Echinacea purpurea
Plant Facts: Red Coneflower
Purple coneflower (*Echinacea purpurea*) is a well-known medicinal plant used to treat colds and support the body’s natural defenses. A.Vogel uses fresh flowering tops and fresh roots of purple coneflower in its products.
To the Plant Encyclopedia: Red ConeflowerMatching Product
### Echinaforce® Cold Resistance Echinaforce® Cold Resistance is made from freshly harvested purple coneflower. To boost the body's natural defenses when prone to colds. **This is an approved medication. Read the package insert.**
When should you seek medical advice?
A medical evaluation is recommended in the following cases:
- unusually frequent infections
- Infections that last a very long time
- high or recurring fever
- severe exhaustion
- unintentional weight loss
- Shortness of breath or chest pain
- severely swollen lymph nodes
- recurrent severe infections
- weakened immune system
- existing serious medical conditions
- Symptoms in infants, older adults, or pregnant women
If you experience sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or symptoms that seem serious, seek medical help immediately.
Cold
Common symptoms, the course of the illness, and what can help with a flu-like infection.
Flu
How to tell if you have the real flu and when it's important to seek medical advice.
Immune system
How the body's immune system works and what helps support it.
Gut Health
Why the Gut Is Important for Well-Being and Immunity.