10 COLD/FLU REMEDIES-Immunize yourself the natural way

[Guest guest]

From Japanese Times; I might add

1.) Clean hands

2.) Selenium an antioxidident that prevents mutation

3.) Plenty of H2O

" Mudville " Rose

10 COLD/FLU REMEDIES

Immunize yourself the natural way

By ERICA ANGYAL

Special to The Japan Times

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. EchinaceaEchinacea, 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 CEveryone'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. ZincIf 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. GarlicBecause 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. GinsengFor 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. MushroomsThe 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. AndrographisAndrographis (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.

OscillococcinumMany 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. ExerciseDon'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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[Guest guest]

I have had to delete this post.

It belongs in our other group

Flu_Alternative_Medicine/