As we move into Autumn in the Northern Hemisphere so starts the season of colds, flu and then other Winter ailments. By taking some preventative steps now and boosting our natural defence mechanisms it is possible to avoid a lot of the seasonal maladies.

Mucous is not a pleasant subject for polite company but we all produce gallons of the stuff over a lifetime and sometimes this natural, self managing, protective mechanism is adversely affected by inflammation, toxin overload, allergens, intolerances and infection.

If the nasal passages are affected by excess mucous this can lead to sinusitis and bronchitis. Adding 10 drops of Tea Tree oil to a bowl of steaming water and using this as a vapouriser with your head under a towel inhaling the moist air will give relief from congestion and fight any infections. A common cause of sinusitis is fungal overgrowth so using Tea Tree oil not only soothes and heals but its anti fungicidal properties tackle the root cause too.

There is an increasing amount of research indicating that the use of formaldehyde in shampoos, personal care products and air fresheners can trigger or exacerbate respiratory problems, including asthma, so do check the labels of the products you bring into your home.

Taking a good quality Echinacea formula for 30 days in alternate months will naturally enhance your body's ability to ward off infections which would otherwise take root and thrive in mucoid situations. Look for a formula which contains other immune system boosting ingredients to help your body defend itself.

In the gastro-intestinal tract excess mucous is formed as a result of irritation, infection, overgrowth of bacteria, viruses and fungal infections. In the colon, mucous has the ability to cause endless problems. Good health and wellness begins in the colon but unfortunately, over a lifetime, everyone experiences a build up of mucoid plaque in their gut which impacts health and wellness. This build up can be likened to the build up we see in pipes if we live in hard water areas.

In the digestive process the foods we eat are broken down into basic nutrient molecules for absorption into our cells, with the remainder being excreted as waste. The absorption of nutrients takes place in the gut. Imagine how difficult and ineffective this process becomes when our guts are lined with mucoid plaque. Even if we are eating healthy, nutrient rich diets we cannot possibly absorb all of the available nutrients through this barrier. How shocking to realise that even though we are eating well we can still be malnourished.

Without getting too personal, I invite you to think about your daily routine. I guess you eat between 3 and 6 meals a day depending on personal preference and appetite. How many of you have between 3 and 6 bowel movements a day? I don't think I saw a single hand raised there! And we wonder why we suffer from bloating, irritable bowel, colitis, diverticulitis and a host of other bowel related problems - possibly even bowel cancer.

This is where fibre comes to the rescue. Adequate fibre in our diet will gently and effectively remove excess mucoid plaque by encouraging regular bowel movements. The fibre will collect up the toxins which loiter in the gut and remove them safely. Once the plaque is removed the nutrients are able to pass through the gut wall unimpeded and health and vitality improves.

I invite you to think about your health and well being in a new way. You wouldn't dream of putting diesel in a petrol engined car so why do so many of us abuse our bodies with the wrong fuels and yet expect them to function problem free? Take steps now to clear your body of excess mucous leaving nowhere for the germs and bugs to proliferate keeping you healthy and well right through until Spring.