NATURAL CURES.......COLDS AND FLU

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Colds & Flu

 

Overview

Both the common cold and the flu are among the most prevalent health

complaints. Each year, approximately half of all Americans experience

at least one cold, and 40 percent develop the flu, also known as

influenza. Both health conditions exhibit the same symptoms, with the

primary difference being that flu symptoms are usually more severe,

last longer, and can be potentially fatal.

 

While conventional, drug-based medicine places emphasis on

suppressing cold and flu symptoms with both prescription and over-the-

counter medications, practitioners of natural medicine seek to

address and correct the underlying reasons people become susceptible

to colds and flu, especially focusing on stimulating the immune

system. These natural cure approaches also have the additional

advantage of being free of harmful side effects, unlike medicinal

drugs, including many popular over-the-counter medications that

contain the common ingredient phenylpropanolamine (PPA), which has

resulted in a number of fatal strokes. In addition, the widespread

use of antibiotics to treat colds and flu are not only worthless—

since antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections,

and both colds and flu are caused by viruses—they can also cause

secondary infections and impair bowel function, leaving you weaker

and more susceptible to other more serious diseases.

 

Typically, each year at the start of " flu season, " flu warnings

appear in the media, along with recommendations that people receive

an annual flu vaccine. The value of such vaccines is questionable,

however, and many people who receive it come down with the flu

anyway. Moreover, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that

suggests that the ingredients in flu vaccines may actually be

harmful, and capable of causing serious damage to the immune system.

For these reasons, practitioners of natural, alternative healing

methods advocate a health regimen that can significantly improve your

ability to resist colds and flu or, if you do develop them, quickly

recover from them.

 

Types of Colds and Flu

There are a variety of colds and flu, but all of them are due to

respiratory viruses, primarily a class of virus known as

rhinoviruses. Colds fall into two main categories, head colds and

chest colds. Either class of cold, if left untreated, can lead to

more serious respiratory conditions, such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

 

There are literally hundreds of different flu strains. Unlike colds,

which can strike at any time of year, flu outbreaks are generally

seasonal in nature, usually occurring in late autumn and during the

winter. For this reason, the time in which flu epidemics occur is

often referred to as " flu season. " The flu can also result in

bronchitis or pneumonia, as well as other serious diseases, such as

croup, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), myocarditis

(inflammation of the heart), and Reye's syndrome, a disease that

primarily strikes children and which affects the brain and liver.

 

Symptoms of Colds and Flu

The difference between cold and flu symptoms is one of degree. As a

general rule, flu symptoms tend to be more severe and last longer,

and also tend to develop more quickly, compared to colds. The most

common symptoms of both conditions are body aches, cough, fatigue,

headache, runny nose, sneezing, and sore throat, as well as dry,

sore, and/or stuffy sinuses that can make breathing difficult.

 

Fever is another common symptom, and is more likely in cases of the

flu. Diarrhea and vomiting can also occur.

 

Ironically, although conventional medicine seeks to suppress

coughing, runny nose, and sneezing, these reactions are actually

healthy and a part of your body's attempts to cleanse itself of the

infectious viruses and toxins that cause colds and flu to develop.

Fever is another effective immune response, and should be allowed to

run its course naturally, except in cases of fever that exceed 104

degrees Fahrenheit. Mucus buildup is also part of the immune response

as the body tries to prevent the spread of the invading virus. As the

virus becomes engulfed by mucus, it is then expelled by the body in

the form of phlegm. In general, such immune responses are completely

ignored or misunderstood by conventional physicians. As a result, the

conventional medications they prescribe interfere with this process

and further weaken the immune system, causing both colds and flu to

last longer than they might otherwise.

 

Causes of Colds and Flu

Both colds and flu are primarily caused by viruses. However, being

exposed to such viruses does not mean that you will develop a cold or

flu. In addition, the severity of the symptoms a person develops if

he or she does contract a cold or flu can vary dramatically. For

example, three people exposed to the same virus to the same degree

can have three completely different reactions to the virus. One

person may not develop any symptoms, the second person might develop

a mild cold that only lasts for a day or two, yet the third person

might wind up bed-ridden with the flu and go on to develop pneumonia.

It is the health of your immune system, not the viruses themselves,

that determines if you will develop a cold or flu and, if so, how

mild or severe your symptoms will be. This is a principle that is

well understood by practitioners of alternative medicine, yet mostly

ignored by conventional doctors. Therefore, relying on conventional

medical approaches to treat and prevent colds and flu will most often

end in failure. As the late Emanuel Cheraskin, MD, DMD, a pioneering

integrative physician, once declared, " It is time to put to rest the

notion that germs jump into people and cause diseases. " What matters

is not the virus, but the internal health of your body.

 

Other practitioners of natural medicine point out that colds and flu

may actually be one of the methods of detoxification that the body

employs to rid itself of toxins in order to bring itself back into a

state of health and balance. Based on both of these perspectives, it

is easy to see that attention needs to be placed on the various

factors that can cause you to have a weak immune system and therefore

be more likely to develop a cold or flu. The primary factors that

weaken immunity and increase susceptibility to colds and flu are

allergies, poor diet, stress, and the use of certain pharmaceutical

drugs.

 

Allergies: The primary allergies associated an increased likelihood

of developing a cold or flu are food allergies that increase your

body's production of mucus. The most common offenders are cow's milk,

wheat, and all food products derived from dairy and wheat. Such foods

have a high mucus content and trigger allergic responses that further

increases mucus production, while simultaneously weakening your

immune system and increasing the risk of respiratory infections.

 

Airborne allergens such as pet dander, dust, mold, and pollen can

also increase your risk of colds and flu because of the way they also

affect your respiratory tract. As a result of an allergic response to

such substances, your nose, sinuses, and throat are more apt to

become congested and inflamed, making it easier for cold and flu

viruses to gain a foothold in your body.

 

Poor Diet: In addition to a diet containing foods to which you are

allergic or sensitive, regular consumption of unhealthy foods such as

commercially processed foods, foods high in sugar and simple

carbohydrates, soda, coffee, alcohol, and foods high in artificial

sweeteners, food coloring and dyes, flavorings, and preservatives can

also severely compromise immune function. So can foods containing

natural sugars, such as honey, dried fruit, and fruit juice, as well

as foods high in partially hydrogenated oils, such as most brands of

commercial cereal. Commercial meats and animal products can also

weaken your immune system because of the antibiotics, bacteria,

hormones, and pesticides they contain.

 

According to William Wolcott, author of The Metabolic Typing Diet, a

diet that is inappropriate for your individual metabolic type can

also create havoc in your immune system, causing a state of high

acidity in your body's cells and tissues, leaving you more

susceptible to colds and flu, as well as many other disease

conditions. Finally, overeating and improper food combinations can

also lead to an accumulation of toxins in the body.

 

Pharmaceutical Drugs: According to the Physicians' Desk Reference the

following drugs can all increase your risk of developing a cold or

flu: Actimmune, AeroBid Inhaler System, Aerobid-M Inhaler System,

Alferon N Injection, Asacol Delayed-Release Tablets, CHEMET

(succimer) Capsules, Intron A, Lopressor HCT Tablets, Nipent for

Injection, Permax Tablets, ProSom Tablets, Rowasa Rectal

Suppositories and Rectal Suspension Enema, Videx Tablets, Powder for

Oral Solution, and Pediatric Powder for Oral Solution.

 

Stress: Stress is estimated to be a primary contributing factor in

over 95 percent of all disease conditions, and is especially

responsible for increased susceptibility to the common cold and flu.

When you are experiencing stress, your body releases hormones that

cause your thymus gland to shrink. Since the thymus gland helps to

maintain a strong immune system, as it shrinks, your immunity is

lessened, thus increasing your risk of cold and flu viral infection.

Among the most common causes of stress are anger, anxiety,

depression, divorce, the death of a loved one, fear, job loss or a

new job, moving to a new location, and nervousness. Lack of or fitful

sleep is also a major source of stress. When you fail to get enough

healthy sleep, your body's natural killer (NK) cells, a vital part of

your immune system, can be impaired, making it easier for invading

viruses and other pathogens to escape being attacked and destroyed.

 

 

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Natural Cures

 

The key to treating colds and flu is to increase your body's immune

function activity. The following natural therapies can help you

accomplish this goal safely and effectively.

 

Acupuncture: Acupuncture helps to restore your body's supply of ATP

(adenosine triphosphate, which is produced in all cells and

responsible for energy) and cortisol, a hormone necessary for

properly adapting to stress. Both of these results help to improve

immune function. Acupuncture can also help to balance and improve

digestion, endocrine gland function, and the health of the lungs, and

other organs, all of which also helps your body fight off and resist

cold and flu infections. In addition, acupuncture treatments can help

prevent colds and flu from ever occurring.

 

Aromatherapy: Add any of the following essential oils to a pot of hot

water: camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, peppermint, pine,

rosemary, or tea tree oil. Cover your head with a towel and bend over

the pot, inhaling deeply.

 

Ayurveda: Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine treat colds and flu by

helping the body to eliminate indigestible toxins, which attract

viruses and impair immune function. Among the ways that this is

accomplished is through the use of herbs such as ginger, cayenne,

black pepper, long pepper, and holy basil (Ocimum tenuiflorum), all

of which stimulate digestion. Patients are also advised to drink

plenty of warm water throughout the day, as well as ginger tea, in

order to break up mucus and phlegm. Ginger tea can easily be prepared

by adding a few slices of fresh, raw ginger root to boiling water,

and letting the mixture steep for 20 to 30 minutes before drinking.

In cases of colds or flu accompanied by a dry cough, adding pieces of

licorice root to the mixture is advised.

 

Another common Ayruvedic practice for treating and preventing colds

and flu is the cleansing of nasal passages. This is done by filling a

teapot with a quart of warm water and one teaspoon of sea salt, and

then slowing pouring the water into one nostril and out the other.

Doing this to both nostrils once or twice a day keeps the nostril

linings moist and free of germs, and helps to open up the air

pathways.

 

Bodywork: Bodywork techniques such as trigger point therapy and lymph

drainage techniques can relieve chest and sinus congestion,

headaches, and post-nasal drip. Acupressure, reflexology, percussion

massage, and shiatsu can also help to break up cold congestion and

increase your body's immune activity.

 

 

 

Diet: To improve your ability to resist colds and flu, emphasize

fresh, organic vegetables, such as carrots, leafy greens, onions, and

orange squash, that are eaten raw or lightly steamed. You can also

make fresh vegetable juices and soups, which will help your body

remain in a slightly alkaline state, free of over-acidity. Also be

sure to drink plenty of water during the day, and avoid mucus-forming

foods such as milk and dairy products, wheat, and most grains (millet

and brown rice are acceptable exceptions). Also eliminate all

processed foods and commercial poultry and meats, choosing organic

whole foods and free-range chicken, turkey, and beef.

 

Herbs: Herbs have long been used by most world cultures to treat and

prevent colds and flu, due to their ability to stimulate immune

function, as well as their antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-

catarrhal properties. Herbs that can increase immune function include

astragalus, echinacea, goldenseal, licorice, and St.John's wort.

Goldenseal is also excellent for helping to reverse inflammation of

the mucus membranes.

 

Another important herb that can protect against colds and flu is

lomatium, which acts as an antiviral agent and an immune stimulant.

It is particularly helpful for treating cases of the flu, often

bringing about complete recovery in 24 to 48 hours. Some herbalists

recommend mixing lomatium with echinacea for even better results.

 

Other useful herbs are boneset, which stimulates the immune system,

encouraging white blood cells to destroy viruses and bacteria; elder

flower, which acts as an immune stimulant, anti-inflammatory, and

anticatarrhal agent; elecampane, which helps to soothe irritating

coughs and bronchial infections; eyebright, which acts as an anti-

inflammatory agent and helps heal irritations in the nasal pharynx

and the sinuses; and yarrow, which is particularly useful for colds

and flu associated with fever, loss of appetite, and overall malaise.

 

Garlic (Allium sativum) is another excellent herbal remedy for colds

and flu. For best results, take garlic in high doses at the same time

as you take your nutritional supplements. High-quality deodorized

garlic capsules are more effective in this regard than garlic cloves

because they offer more concentrated doses of allicin, garlic's

active ingredient, which has been shown to increase immune function

and to stimulate the production of flu antibodies.

 

According to Jonathan Wright, M.D., a leading holistic physician, the

following herbal combination formula is also excellent for both colds

and flu: cayenne pepper, echinacea, myrrh, osha (also known as

Porter's lovage), and red clover. This combination can be taken as a

tea (3-5 cups per day) or as a tincture (30 drops of each herb, four

times daily).

 

Homeopathy: Useful homeopathic remedies for colds and flu include

Aconitum napellus, Allium cepa, Belladonna, Baptisia, Belladonna,

Eupatorium perfoliatum, Natrum muriaticum, Nux vomica, and Viscum

album (mistletoe), an homeopathic remedy that can be taken both

orally or by injection.

 

Another popular homeopathic remedy for colds and flu is

Oscillococcinum, which is widely used in Europe. For best results, at

the onset of your symptoms, take six pellets dissolved under the

tongue, every six hours. As with other homeopathic remedies above,

avoid eating or drinking for 30 minutes before and after each use.

 

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy helps to strengthen the immune system and

detoxify the body. For colds and flu, consider contrast hydrotherapy,

which involves exposing your body to alternating hot and cold water

as you shower.

 

Another useful approach is to make a throat or chest compress before

bed. Do this by applying a warm washcloth to your throat and chest,

followed by a cold cotton wrap to the same areas of your body. Cover

your neck with a wool scarf and your chest with a wool sweater and go

to sleep.

 

Hyperthermia: Hyperthermia involves artificially creating fever in

the body for the purpose of boosting immune function. Hyperthermia

can be a highly effective method of eliminating toxins and heavy

metals, as well as infectious bacteria and viruses that cannot

survive in elevated body temperatures. Additionally, sweating is very

cleansing for the body's largest eliminative organ, the skin. Because

of its power to detoxify, some holistic practitioners, especially

Naturopathic Doctors, make hyperthermia a central feature of their

treatment protocol. Hyperthermia can be done occasionally as an

immune boosting home treatment, or in conjunction with a specific

cleanse. It is also possible to combine hyperthermia with long

periods of bed rest as part of a deeper detoxifying protocol.

 

What follows are several at-home hyperthermia treatments. Please seek

the advice of your alternative health care practitioner before

undergoing these sweat-inducing procedures to make sure they are

appropriate for you.

 

One effective at-home hyperthermia treatment involves soaking in a

hot bath. Heat the water to the highest temperature you can tolerate,

without scalding your skin. Soak in the bath for twenty minutes while

sipping warm water, to which 2,000 mg of vitamin C has been added. As

soon as you get out of the bath, dry off quickly, then get into bed

and cover yourself with blankets. Women should place a hot water

bottle below their breasts, while men should place it over the liver,

which is on the right side of the body, just below the rib cage.

Remain under the covers for 20 to 30 minutes. Repeat this procedure

up to three times daily in extreme cases, drinking plenty of pure

water between baths. This treatment causes a natural fever response

and profuse sweating that helps to eliminate toxins and destroy

harmful microorganisms.

 

It is also possible to produce a mild fever with a hot bath and dry

blankets afterward. Allow several hours to perspire heavily. Follow

with a cool shower. Drink plenty of purified, tepid water during and

after the bath.

 

A slightly faster method for inducting artificial body fever is a wet

sheet pack. There is no tub to clean, nor is there a need to further

purify water if you already have a quality shower filter installed.

After a ten minute hot shower or bath, wrap yourself in a very cold,

wet sheet, then cover up with several blankets. Like the dry pack, it

could take up to several hours to produce a fever. Used for quick

stimulation of the immune system, wet sheet pack is a popular

protocol used in Naturopathic medicine.

 

Another form of hyperthermia recommended by alternative healers is

regular sessions in a dry, far-infrared sauna. Such units are widely

used in Japan and in recent years have become popular in the U.S.

Infrared saunas heat the body from the inside out with temperatures

between 120°-130 degrees Fahrenheit; this heat factor is much lower

than temperatures needed from a regular sauna. Infrared saunas

elevate the body's temperature while directing far-infrared energies

three inches deep inside the body. This not only helps to destroy

harmful microorganisms, but it also helps fatty tissues to release

stored toxins, making far-infrared treatments one of the most

effective methods of detoxification for heavy metals, pesticides, and

other chemicals.

 

Other more " high-tech " methods are also available, such as short-wave

or microwave diathermy (the use of high frequency current to generate

heat in a part of the body), ultrasound, radiant heating, and extra-

corporeal heating (heat administered from a source outside the body).

Although effective, these methods are only available from a certified

health care professional in a medical or hospital setting.

 

Juice Therapy: The following juice combinations can be helpful:

carrot, beet, and cucumber; carrot, beet, tomato, green pepper, and

watercress; carrot and celery; carrot and spinach; and lemon, orange,

pineapple, black currant, elderberry juice. For added benefit, you

can include garlic, ginger, and/or onion in any of the above juice

combinations.

 

Nutritional Supplements: The following nutrients can be extremely

helpful for dealing with colds and flu: vitamin A (50,000-100,00

liquid vitamin A 3-4 times a day for no more than five days total;

avoid using if you are pregnant), vitamin C (2,000-5,000 mg of a

powdered, mineral ascorbate twice a day until all symptoms have

subsided), zinc (30-50 mg, once a day), selenium (200 to 800 mcg,

once a day), and N-Acetyl-Cysteine, or NAC (600 mg, twice a day).

Other useful nutrients include colloidal silver, colostrum, thymus

extract, and beta-1,3-glucan.

 

The late Robert Atkins, MD, founder of the Atkins Diet and an

acclaimed holistic physician, recommended the following nutritional

formula, which he advised taking every hour for up to ten doses

during the first day of cold or flu symptoms:

Beta carotene: 5,000 IU

Vitamin A: 3,333 IU

Quercetin: 80 mg

Zinc: 25 mg

Vitamin C: 500 mg

Calcium pantothenate: 80 mg

Citrus bioflavonoids: 80 mg

Selenium: 30 mcg

Magnesium: 15 mg

Garlic capsules with allicin: 160 mg

Folic acid: 400 mcg

Dimethylglycine HCL: 20 mg

Pyridoxine HCL: 4 mg

Riboflavin: 2 mg

Copper (chelate): 1 mg

Niacinamide: 15 mg

As a general preventive measure, Dr. Atkins recommended supplementing

with this formula once or twice a day, and up to three times a day

for people who were very susceptible to colds and flu.

 

Traditional (TCM): In addition to acupuncture,

practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine also recommend the

following herbal remedies for treating colds and flu: Bi yan pian,

for sneezing, sinus congestion, itchy eyes, and/or hay fever; Bo ying

powder, for fever, headaches, cough, upset stomach, diarrhea, or

vomiting, especially in children; and Yinqiao, at the first sign of a

cold or flu. Loquat syrup is also advised to help eliminate phlegm

and relieve sinus congestion.

 

Another common Chinese herb, ephedra (also known as ma-huang), has

been used in China for thousands of years to treat colds and flu.

Although recently banned by the Food and Drug Administration, ephedra

is still allowed to be used by practitioners of TCM. In addition,

many over-the-counter cold and flu medications contain ephedrine, a

synthetic derivative of ephedra. Caution: Ephedra can increase blood

pressure and heart rate, and therefore should be avoided by people

with most heart conditions or high blood pressure, and by pregnant

women.

 

Topical Treatment: To treat head colds, spray your throat and nasal

passages with witch hazel.

 

Alternative Professional Care

The following therapies can also be helpful for treating and

preventing colds and flu: Alphabiotics, Applied Kinesiology,

Biofeedback Training and Neurotherapy, Detoxification Therapy,

Environmental Medicine, Energy Medicine (Light Beam Generator,

Ondamed), Fasting, Flower Remedies, Guided Imagery, Magnetic Field

Therapy, Orthomolecular Medicine, Osteopathic Medicine, and Oxygen

Therapies (hydrogen peroxide, ozone). See Glossary for further

descriptions.

 

 

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Quick Action Steps for Treating and Preventing Colds and Flu

As with all other disease conditions, prevention is the best way to

deal with colds and flu. In this case, prevention means improving the

health of your immune system so that it can swiftly respond to

attacking cold and flu viruses and eliminate them before you develop

any symptoms. The following recommendations can help you do so:

To prevent colds and flu, be sure you get enough sleep each night and

minimize stress. Also be sure to wash your hands throughout the day

and avoid rubbing your eyes, nose, and mouth.

Eat lots of fresh, organic vegetables and drink plenty of pure,

filtered water and fresh-squeezed vegetable juices throughout the

day, and avoid processed foods, and foods containing sugar and simple

carbohydrates, as well as milk and dairy products, and wheat and

grains.

Take a daily high potency multivitamin/multimineral supplement.

Engage in regular exercise. One of the easiest and most effective

exercises for all age groups is a daily 45 minute walk, which can

dramatically boost NK cells and help keep your body's lymphatic

system free of toxic waste buildup. Yoga, particular the " cobra

pose, " is also useful for keeping your respiratory tract healthy. To

perform the cobra pose, lie on your stomach and raise your upper body

backwards off the ground, bending at the waist as you inhale deeply.

Hold this position for five seconds as you continue breathing. Then,

as you exhale, return to your starting position. Repeat five to ten

times. This exercise helps to expand your chest and lungs and can

free up trapped mucus and phlegm.

At the first sign of a cold or flu, supplement with vitamin A,

vitamin C, garlic capsules, selenium, zinc and N-acetyl-cysteine

(NAC). Colloidal silver can also be very effective.

Helpful herbal remedies include astragalus, cayenne pepper,

echinacea, goldenseal, licorice, lomatium, and St. John's wort.

At the first onset of symptoms take the homeopathic remedy

Oscillococcinum (six pellets under the tongue every six hours).

Should you develop congestion in your sinuses or chest, massage your

chest with menthol-based lotion or ointment (avoid products that

contain petroleum) before you go to sleep. This will help clear your

air pathways and increase the supply of blood to your thalamus, one

of the organs that controls your immune system.

Throughout the day, tap your chest over your thymus gland, located in

the center of your chest approximately one inch below your

collarbone. This will help to stimulate your thymus gland, which in

turn will help to boost your immune function.