Home | Newsletters|
Bookstore | News | Community
| Links | Articles/FAQs | Diet Info Ctr | Top Drs | Contact
Alternative/Complementary/Natural Ways to Prevent and Treat Colds & Flu
|
November, 2003 -- It's that time of year when colds and flus start to hit. Besides hitting the local drugstore to stock up on all the various cold remedies, what natural things can you do to help? Noted alternative practitioner Andrew Weil suggests daily doses of vitamin C, garlic, echinacea and the herb astragalus, to help boost the immune system during flu season.
Italian researchers also found that ginseng, when given throughout the season to people who had flu shots, reduced the cases of flu, and raised the activity rate of immune cells that fight infections. Also, Dr. Weil recommends frequent hand-washing, and avoiding contact with people who have respiratory illnesses, and hands and airborne exposure are the primary ways the flu is spread. When you're in the midst of the flu, besides plenty of rest, fluids, and good nutrition, there are some additional alternative medicine approaches that some experts recommend. The most often recommended treatment is a natural product known as Sambucol, which is Elderberry Extract. Dr. Weil suggests that Sambucol may be similar to the prescription flu medication Relenza. Alternative Medicine magazine also recommends elderberry extract, and according to some research conducted in Italy, patients with early signs of the flu took 4 tablespoons of black elderberry extract per day. Within 24 hours, fever, cough, and muscle pain were significantly reduced in 20% of the patients. After the second day, 70% reported feeling better, and after 3 days, 90% claimed a complete cure from all flu symptoms. Elderberry apparently works by strengthening the cell membrane so a virus cannot penetrate it. It also appears to inhibit the enzyme that viruses use to weaken the membrane. Sambucol is available online at Iherb, or in health food stores. The other highly recommended natural treatment is Vitamin C. Some experts believe that as much as 1 to 6 grams of Vitamin C per day may help reduce the duration of a flu virus. The suggested dosage would be 1000 mg every 2 hours, unless diarrhea or gas occurs. One of the best ways you can take Vitamin C is using the EmergenC drinks by Alacer. You get small packets (they remind me of the old Koolaid packets) that you put in a glass, add water (no mixing, it effervesces), and you have a fizzy, delicious, low-carb, low-cal, but vitamin and nutrient-packed delicious drink. I carry these packets around with me to restaurants, and all over the place, and they make a healthy alternative to soda, and more interesting than water! (But they count toward your daily water intake) Each drink includes 1000 mg. of Vitamin C, plus 38 Active Mineral Complexes and B Vitamins. They come in so many flavors (lemon-lime, tangerine, tropical, strawberry, etc.) but my absolute favorite is raspberry, and cranberry is a close second.
Other key natural remedies for flu include:
| |||||||||
|
All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician or health practitioner before starting a new treatment program. Please see our full disclaimer. | ||||||||||
