Immunize yourself the natural way The Japan Times

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10 COLD/FLU REMEDIES

Immunize yourself the natural way

By ERICA ANGYAL

Special to The Japan Times

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fl20060103a1.htm

As the temperature dips lower in January and February we often

encounter an expected but not exactly welcome house guest -- the

winter cold, or the even more demanding and obnoxious visitor, the

flu. The cold brings a headache, sore throat, congestion, runny

nose, sneezing and exhaustion. If it's the flu, you can plan on body

aches and a fever along with everything else. Naturally, you want to

get rid of these guests as soon as possible.

The common cold is caused by any one of around 300 different

viruses. These viruses evolve and mutate from one season to the

next, which is why it's impossible to develop a single vaccine

effective against them all. Over-the-counter medications can't

prevent the common cold or flu either. In fact, over the long term,

these medications can often make matters worse. Decongestants and

antihistamines may treat obvious cold symptoms, but not the

underlying infection. On top of that, they can actually suppress the

body's natural response -- fevers, sneezing, coughing, etc. -- to

rid itself of an unwelcome intruder.

No one wants endure an untreated cold or flu. Thankfully, there are

natural ways to strengthen your immune system and shorten a cold's

duration and severity. Prevention is always better than cure, and a

strong immune system is the best defense against all infections. So

here are some of the most useful natural remedies that can make the

difference between winter well-being, and a lot of Kleenex and

misery.

Echinacea

Echinacea, or purple coneflower, has been used by Native American

Indians for hundreds of years. In the 1930s, it became popular in

Europe and the United States as a folk medicine. It lost its

popularity with the arrival of antibiotics, which, ironically, only

work against infections caused by bacteria -- viruses, not bacteria,

cause the common cold. Today in Germany, echinacea still remains the

main remedy for minor respiratory infections and for good reason: it

works.

Echinacea increases the " nonspecific " activity of the immune system;

unlike a vaccine, which is active against a specific disease,

echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the cells responsible

for fighting all kinds of infections. It's been shown to boost the

production of a substance called interferon, which helps the body

fight viral infections.

To get the benefits of this immune-boosting herb, take it at the

first sign of a sniffle, or at the possibility of an infection (e.g.

as soon as a family member gets a cold). Echinacea can also be used

at a lower dose to help prevent a cold or flu. But don't take it all

winter long, as high doses for extended periods may eventually lead

to a depressed immune system.

There are three main species of Echinacea: Echinacea purpurea, E.

angustifolia and E. pallida. Echinacea purpurea has the best

supporting evidence for effectiveness in treating colds and flus. At

the onset of an infection, take 3-4 ml of echinacea in a liquid

preparation or 300 mg of a powdered form in a capsule or tablet,

every two hours for the first day of a cold or flu, then three times

per day for a total of seven to 10 days.

Caution: Echinacea is an immune system stimulator, so it's not

recommended for people with autoimmune disease (e.g. lupus,

rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis). Pregnant women or those

allergic to plants of the sunflower (Asteraceae) family should also

avoid it.

Vitamin C

Everyone's need for vitamin C goes up dramatically when you get a

cold. Animals our size that synthesize their own vitamin C produce

dozens of grams when stressed by an infection. For example, an adult

goat will manufacture more than 13,000 mg of vitamin C per day and

as much as 100,000 mg daily when faced with life-threatening

disease, trauma or stress.

We humans don't synthesize, but by taking a high enough dose you can

stop a cold dead in its tracks. Once an illness has taken hold, the

body's response to vitamin C is called a " threshold " response where

very little happens until a high enough dose is reached, then

everything happens -- fever subsides, organisms are killed and you

generally start feeling better. Vitamin C does this by boosting

interferon (a natural antiviral substance) as well as antibody

levels in the body.

At the first hint of a scratchy throat or sneezing, take 500-3,000

mg of vitamin C with a glass of water every hour. If this causes

diarrhea or an upset stomach, reduce the dose until digestion

settles down again. You can also shorten the length and severity of

a cold after you get one, but again you have to take enough vitamin

C to do the job.

Zinc

If vitamin C is the " super immunity " vitamin, then zinc may just be

the super immunity mineral. Zinc boosts the development and

production of white blood cells which are vitally important cells in

fighting off foreign bacteria and viruses.

Zinc lozenges can help prevent viruses from attaching to the back of

your throat. Suck on zinc lozenges containing zinc gluconate, zinc

gluconate-glycine or zinc acetate, providing 13-25 mg every few

hours, for the first few days of a cold or flu. Swish and gargle

some of the dissolved zinc, contacting as many mouth and throat

surfaces as possible with the solution, as this will help kill the

microorganisms by direct contact. Taken as a nasal gel application,

zinc also appears to markedly shorten the duration of a cold.

Caution: Don't take high doses of zinc for many weeks at a time as

it can cause a copper deficiency.

Garlic

Because of its strong odor, garlic is sometimes called the " stinking

rose " and many people joke that garlic makes you smell so bad that

people stay away from you, so you don't catch their cold. However,

evidence suggests that it does work. This pungent herb was highly

valued by the ancient Egyptians, who ensured that the slaves

building the Great Pyramids were given a daily supply. The Romans

also fed it to their soldiers before battle.

Garlic increases the activity of immune cells, and has a number of

anti-fungal and anti-yeast properties. It also contains a compound,

called allicin, which is a potent natural antibiotic. Opt for a

garlic supplement or one to two cloves of raw garlic to ward off

colds and perhaps anyone you wish to avoid.

Ginseng

For 5,000 years Asians have revered ginseng as a longevity tonic.

Ginseng (Panax) is a family of about five or six species of slow-

growing plants with fleshy roots including North American ginseng

(Panax quinquefolium), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

and Chinese/Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng).

The various species of ginseng are each purported to enhance immune

function and a recent Canadian study using North American ginseng

found it to be effective in keeping the common cold at bay. An

extract of ginseng was given to people who usually suffered colds,

and it resulted in significantly less colds, with less severe

symptoms, than the placebo group.

Caution: Don't take American ginseng if you have a fever or any

other signs of acute infection, or if you have high blood pressure,

heart disease or hypoglycemia.

Mushrooms

The French prize their truffles, but even truffles and other edible

fungi don't show as much potential as shiitake (Lentinus edodes),

maitake (Grifola frondosa) and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) mushrooms.

In Japan and China, mushrooms have long been treated much like

herbs, and these three species have been used for centuries to

strengthen the immune system and promote longevity.

Shiitake contains a compound called lentinan, which stimulates the

activity and production of many important immune system cells

including T-cells -- the body's own defense against viruses -- and

white blood cells. Maitake is also used to enhance the immune

system. Reishi mushrooms, also known as the mushroom of immortality,

have been found to stimulate specific immune cells such as

macrophages.

Maitake, shiitake and reishi are available in supplement form,

sometimes in combination.

Andrographis

Andrographis (Andrographis paniculata) is a shrub found throughout

India and other Asian countries. It's sometimes called " Indian

echinacea " because it is believed to provide much of the same

benefits. It has been used during epidemics, including the Indian

flu epidemic in 1919 when andrographis was credited with helping to

stop the spread of the disease. A member of the Acanthaceae plant

family, it is also widely used in Scandinavian countries to treat

and prevent common colds. A number of studies have found that

andrographis significantly reduces the duration and severity of cold

symptoms.

Take 500-3,000 mg of dried Andrographis in capsule form three times

per day at the onset of a cold.

Caution: Andrographis should be avoided by women who are pregnant or

who wish to become pregnant, as it exhibits antifertility effects.

Oscillococcinum

Many people swear by the homeopathic remedy " oscillococcinum " for

the flu. It's even the number one flu medicine in France, more

popular than any conventional medicine.

Oscillococcinum is made from the heart and liver of a duck.

Scientists have discovered that the majority of ducks carry

virtually every known influenza virus in their digestive tract. So

you can perhaps think of oscillococcinum as the homeopathic version

of a chicken soup. Oscillococcinum has been effective at warding off

the flu if taken within 48 hours of the earliest symptoms. Symptoms

may be vague, and include feeling vulnerable, irritable or just not

quite right.

Oscillococcinum comes in small vials. Dissolve the entire contents

of one tube in your mouth, usually under your tongue, at the first

sign of a flu. Repeat this every six hours, up to three times a day

for three days. Don't eat or drink anything for 15 minutes before or

after.

Exercise

Don't let the cold weather be an excuse not to get your exercise as

research has found that people who exercise regularly experience 25

percent fewer colds than those whose daily activities are relatively

low. The benefits of a reduced risk of colds can be attained with

moderate physical activity each day, such as a 30-minute walk. But

high levels of physical activity may have the opposite effect;

exercising too vigorously, such as marathon training, can deplete

the immune system defenses, leaving you more vulnerable. So aim for

moderate regular exercise such as a 30-minute walk five times a week.

Sleep and de-stress

Colds and flus strike when people are under stress, overworked or

sleep deprived. Sleep is a natural requirement for effective

prevention and speedy recuperation. When the body is denied sleep,

its production of the white blood cells that fight off microbes

slows down. So no matter how well you cover the other areas of your

health, sleep deprivation will cause an eventual breakdown. Aim for

seven to eight hours of sleep every night and try to find ways to

manage stress effectively. If you do get a cold or the flu, rest and

sleep are critical for recuperation.

Remember, serious conditions such as sinus infections, bronchitis,

meningitis, strep throat and asthma can masquerade as the common

cold. If symptoms continue beyond a week or are accompanied by a

high fever, persistent cough, swollen glands or greenish nasal

secretions, it could signify a more serious problem, so consult a

doctor.

Here's to a happy, healthy winter.

The Japan Times: Jan. 3, 2006

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