The turning of seasons is one of the abundant miracles found in nature’s wonderland. In many parts of the world, the onset of winter brings a frosty landscape, while the arrival of spring heralds the blooming of nature once again. Each season offers its own beauty and delight, but unfortunately, as we all know, each season also comes with its own discomforts. It’s difficult to get through winter without catching at least one cold and the blooms of spring and summer can spell misery for allergy sufferers.

As I write about in my new booklet/CD combo, “Conquer Colds & Allergies: Surefire Tips to Find Comfort Naturally & Boost Your Immune System,” when it comes to dealing with the respiratory irritations of colds and allergies, everyone seems to have a bit of homespun advice. Some swear by a bowl of hot chicken soup while others may take a gulp of hot whiskey at bedtime to chase the sniffles away. However, when such interventions fail and our symptoms are severe, we may wind up at the doctor's office seeking something a bit stronger for relief.

Despite the achievements of Western medicine in minimizing communicable diseases such as polio and even once-common childhood diseases like mumps and measles, there remains no "cure" for the common cold, or for allergies for that matter. Doctors may prescribe drugs for transient relief from symptoms, but such pharmaceuticals can have harsh side effects. Decongestants, for example, may raise blood pressure or cause insomnia, while antihistamines may cause drowsiness. All too often, doctors erroneously prescribe antibiotics for respiratory symptoms, even though neither colds nor allergies are caused by bacteria and therefore cannot be treated with antibiotics. By taking antibiotics when not needed, we may experience unpleasant side effects and may even increase our risk of developing more colds in the long term. Studies show that overuse of antibiotics can make us even more susceptible to upper-respiratory tract infections.

Since folksy advice may be ineffective and allopathic medical treatments too strong, the best course of action when confronted with seasonal discomforts like colds and allergies is to turn to the source of those turning seasons: Mother Nature. In the herbal bounty of nature, you can find ways to not only soothe the misery of cold and allergies but also to boost your immune system and help prevent these problems from developing in the first place. In my private practice and new book “Walking on Air: Your 30-Day Inside and Out Rejuvenation Makeover,” I highly recommend lozenges such as the tasty Black Currant Olbas Lozenges to help fight coughs due to colds, allergies and minor bronchial irritation.

My own grandmother taught me how to take care of my body using only natural remedies, including foods, herbs, spices and other lifestyle choices. Because of her wisdom, I have never had to take medication in my life and have been without a cold or the flu for over 25 years. As a teenager, when I had an allergy attack, she would encourage me to drink a tea that was rich in Vitamin C such as black currant, use a steamer to breathe in the vapors of eucalyptus, and rub a menthol salve on my chest.

Now, I am never without the best-tasting, sugar-free, black currant lozenges called Olbas Lozenges. For more information on Olbas Lozenges, you can click on OlbasMovie.com or Olbas.com. They also have a natural anesthetic action that provides instant, cool, soothing relief for a sore throat. If you get a tickle in your throat, experience a dry throat when flying, or burn your throat with some hot food, these lozenges are perfect. They also freshen your breath. When you take one and breathe in deeply, you’ll notice almost immediately how the powerful, cooling vapors give you an intense feeling of increased airflow in your lungs and sinuses. The Olbas Lozenges feature soothing menthol, eucalyptus and Vitamin C — a key immune-system nutrient and a potent free-radical fighter.

Susan Smith Jones, MS, Ph.D., is a leader in the fields of optimal nutrition, balanced living, anti-aging, and human potential. She taught students, staff, and faculty at UCLA how to be healthy and fit for 30 years and now travels the world giving motivational talks on living a healthy, balanced life – no matter one’s age. She is the author of 27 books, including “The Joy Factor,” “Recipes for Health Bliss,” and the just-released “Walking on Air: Your 30-Day Inside and Out Rejuvenation Makeover.” To order her books, call (800) 523-9971 or click on www.SusanSmithJones.com.