Flu Problems
The following article gives information about cold and flu problems.
It is possible to effectively ease the pain and discomfort of
colds and flu, naturally. As part of our regular newsletter there
will be examples of successful alternative treatments.
Natural flu and cold remedies
The time to treat a cold is when you don't have one! This may sound
silly but prevention is always better than cure. However the same
herbs that keep colds and flu at bay, will also help you get rid
of it faster.
The common cold is caused by any one of 200 different viruses.
When infection occurs , the walls of the respiratory tract swell
and produce excess mucus, giving rise to the typical cold symptoms.
Symptoms range from sore throat, running nose, nasal congestion,
watery eyes to hacking cough, headache, and fever. Most colds run
their course in 7-10 days. Recurrent colds (almost constantly suffering)
may indicate a lowered immune capacity and too much stress and often
not enough sleep.
Colds spread from person to person and are highly contagious. Coughing,
sneezing or hand to hand contact will easily pass the virus on.
The virus can also live for several hours on everyday surfaces.
One particular herb has recently had a lot of press coverage and
marketing as a 'new' cure for colds. Echinacea
has in fact been used by America Indians for hundreds of years.
It is native to the North America Plains, but varieties of the species
are now found on most continents. Echinacea
increases levels of properdin, a chemical which activates the part
of the immune system responsible for increasing defence mechanisms
against virus and bacteria attacks.
Its anti-bacterial effect makes it a good herb for treating many
viral and bacterial infections. Echinacea
is also an excellent blood cleanser, it helps to sweep dead cells
and other debris through the channels of the lymphatic system. And
dispatches white blood cells to fight the infection. The best test
to determine if you are taking a good, high strength echinacea is
the tongue test. After you have taken the tincture, the back of
your tongue should feel numb or tingly. This feeling will soon pass,
but you know you are using a good quality product. So when you feel
the cold coming on - reach for the echinacea tincture. It is important
to try to take echinacea
before the full onset of a cold or flu to give the best chance of
a swift recovery.
No treatment of colds would be complete without Garlic.
This pungent herb was highly esteemed by the ancient Egyptians,
who ensured that the slaves building the Great Pyramids at Cheops
were given a daily supply. The Romans also acknowledged garlic's
strengthening powers and fed it to their soldiers before battle.
Garlic has anti-bacterial
properties that help the immune system to fight infection, it is
an excellent boost to the immune system. The reason for this is
garlic contains several helpful compounds, including allicin, one
of the plant kingdom's most potent antibiotics. Garlic combines
well with echinacea and together make a strong fighting force against
infections.
Onion is a close relative of Garlic and has similar properties,
containing similar antiviral chemicals. Use onions and leeks in
your cooking when you have a cold or are around people who do.
Ginger is another
of natures' antiviral herbs. It contains nearly a dozen antiviral
compounds. Ginger
is pain relieving, antiseptic and antioxidant. It is valuable for
preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of
mucus membranes. Ginger
reduces pain and fever and has a mild sedative effect that will
encourage rest. And it is tasty! (with no lingering odours!) Drink
a tea, or soak fresh ginger in hot water, take as a tincture and
include it in your food. Ginger is also delicious in a fruit smoothy
(a mix of soft chilled fruits put in a blender).
Vitamin C is very good for the relief of cold symptoms and to
help the body fight infection. The best source of vitamins is always
fresh fruit and vegetables. Citrus fruit is especially high in vitamin
C. Combine orange, pineapple, seedless grapes, lots of fresh ginger,
banana, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe in a blender. Add orange juice
if more liquid is needed. This not only makes a delicious drink,
but is healthy and fights that cold.
When you have a cold or flu your body is under a lot of stress,
fighting the viral infection. Big, heavy meals take vital energy
to digest, resources which your body could be using to fight the
infections. An old saying states "Feed a cold and starve a
fever". A better saying is "Starve a cold and starve
a fever". The best thing to do is drink plenty of liquids -
water, fruit juices and if needed soups, but stay away from heavy
and high processed food. High liquid intake is important as the
body uses water to carry waste products and toxins to your elimination
systems.
Goldenseal
is both antiseptic and immune stimulating, increasing blood supply
to the spleen. The spleen is the bodies staging area for the fighting
cells in your immune system. Berberine is present in goldenseal,
and activates macrophages (special white blood cells), which are
responsible for destruction of bacteria, fungi, viruses and tumour
cells.
Herbalists have been using liquorice
to soothe chest and throat complaints since the third century BC.
It is used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, throat problems,
colds and coughs. Liquorice
contains anti-viral compounds that induce the release of interferon,
the bodies own anti-viral constituents. It is an expectorant* and
anti-inflammatory making it excellent for stubborn coughs and lung
infections. As well as being a soothing herb, liquorice tastes nice!
Large doses can act as a laxative.
*expectorant: promoting the secretion, liquefaction or expulsion
of sputum (mass or salivary matter ejected from the mouth) from
the respiratory passages.
Sage is a traditional
remedy of long standing for soothing sore throats as it has antiseptic
and anti-bacterial properties. For an inflamed throat and hoarseness
use a hot sage
infusion or gargle with a sage, apple cider vinegar and honey mix.
In feverish conditions, sage is very cooling. Take as a tea or tincture.
Peppermint
is a valuable expectorant* in the treatment of bronchitis, colds
and flu. It reduces fevers by inducing sweating and cooling the
body. It is also a painkiller for headaches and some migraines.
It is a soothing decongestant and makes an effective inhalation
for clearing blocked sinuses.
Other herbs which will assist in combating and relieving colds
are:
Lemon Balm:
Lemon Balm tea promotes sweating. This is good for feverish colds
as it helps to eliminate the toxins from the body.
Blackberry: More commonly know as Bramble. The fruit is rich in
vitamin C. The leaves can be used to make a cleansing tea, or make
a poultice from fresh, lightly boiled leaves.
Borage: A versatile herb, borage promotes sweating and has expectorant*
properties, both of which are beneficial for feverish, chesty colds.
Catnip: Catnip or Catmint, promotes perspiration and a hot infusion
is good for feverish colds and flu's. Catnip is also a muscle relaxant
and mild sedative so will help to induce sleep.
Cinnamon: Will stop vomiting and relieve feelings of nausea. Take
as a tea. Cinnamon oil also had anti-bacterial properties.
Fenugreek:
Has expectorant qualities. It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and
soothing. It can ease coughs and sore throats.
Juniper: Steam inhalations of Juniper is beneficial for relieving
congestion in coughs and colds. Add a few drops of the oil to hot
boiled water, place your face over the bowl, cover with a towel,
and inhale the steam.
Lemon: Lemons are a rich source of vitamin c, and taken hot in
a hot lemon and honey drink, is a traditional remedy for colds and
sore throats.
Yarrow: Yarrow has anti-inflammatory properties, and a hot yarrow
tea will promote sweating. Many herbalists consider yarrow to be
one of the principle herbal remedies for fever, feverish colds and
flu. It is often taken in combination with elderflower and peppermint.
Or try adding a strong infusion of yarrow and camomile to a warm
bath.
Copyright © 2002 - 2005 P. Topham:
U.S. Nutritional and Herbal Researcher - All Rights Reserved
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