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Alternative Cures for the Common Cold By: Emily Wells Attention Ladies! Winter is here (or what passes for winter in Hampton Roads), and t�is the season for the common cold! It�s time to stock your medicine chest with natural remedies. For the past 15 years I�ve been using herbal remedies and dietary supplements to combat symptoms of the common cold, and I�ve enjoyed great success. Here are a few of my favorites: VITAMIN C. I have really found that increasing my intake of C at the onset of cold symptoms stimulates my immune response. Vitamin C is water soluble (doesn�t get stored in the body), so best results are obtained by taking small doses (500 mg.) frequently (every two hours). ECHINACEA AND GOLDENSEAL. The herb echinacea has been used by American Indians for hundreds of years. It is native to the North American Plains, but varieties of the species are now found on most continents. Echinacea stimulates production of interferon, a substance that can improve the body's response to infections. Its anti-bacterial effect makes it a good herb for treating many viral and bacterial infections. Echinacea is also an excellent blood cleanser, as it helps to sweep dead cells and other debris through the channels of the lymphatic system, then dispatches white blood cells to fight the infection. Goldenseal, often taken in combination with echinacea, is both antiseptic and immune stimulating, increasing blood supply to the spleen. The spleen is the body�s staging area for the disease-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 tumor cells. Caution: Taking echinacea is unsafe in the case of autoimmune disease (type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis), deliberately suppressed immunity (patients taking drugs designed to suppress immunity--after an organ transplant), allergy to flowers in the aster family (asters, daisies, chrysanthemums, sunflowers, and a number of common weeds--including ragweed and mugwort), pregnancy/breast feeding. Echinacea and goldenseal should not be taken for more than 10 days, individually or in combination with one another. Neither herb should be taken if you have hay fever allergies, as they can actually worsen the allergic reaction. This is because these allergies are due to an already sensitive immune system response, which echinacea and goldenseal may further stimulate. GARLIC. Garlic can help prevent colds and help reduce symptoms because it contains a potent antibiotic called allicin, which is released when cloves of garlic are chopped, crushed or chewed. You can add raw garlic to foods as a preventive measure, or you can buy garlic supplements, which are available in most health food stores. The best supplement form is "enteric-coated capsules". They are easier for the body to absorb. Please follow label directions for dosage. 300 milligrams daily is the norm for as long as symptoms persist. ZINC. Zinc inhibits reproduction of the rhinovirus, the chief cause of the common cold, and, like echinacea, stimulates production of interferon, a substance that can improve the body's response to infections. Keep daily dosage below 110mg for women, 135mg for men; use for extended periods may start to damage the pancreas, cause anemia by decreasing copper production, and possibly even lower the "good" HDL cholesterol. GINGER. Ginger is a powerful antiviral herb, as it contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds. Pain relieving, antiseptic, and antioxidant, ginger 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 odors! Drink a tea, or soak fresh ginger in hot water, take it as a tincture, or include it in your food. Ginger is also delicious in a fruit smoothie. BlACK ELDERBERRY EXTRACT. The leaves of black elderberries have long been touted by European herbalists to be pain relieving and to promote healing of injuries when applied as a poultice. Native American herbalists have used the plant to treat infections, coughs, and various skin conditions. Now widely available at health food stores, black elderberry syrup is a pleasant tasting natural remedy � even my teenage daughter takes it willingly! Recommended dosage is 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon for children, 2 teaspoons�2 tablespoons for adults, taken twice daily. COLLOIDAL SILVER. Colloidal silver appears to be a powerful, natural antibiotic and preventative against infections. Acting as a catalyst, it reportedly disables the enzyme that one-celled bacteria, viruses, and fungi need for their oxygen metabolism. They suffocate without corresponding harm occurring to human enzymes or parts of the human body chemistry. The result is the destruction of disease-causing organisms in the body and in the food. Colloidal silver is an expensive and somewhat controversial remedy. I�ve had great success with it when nothing else worked, but have found that it can cause intestinal distress! Use it with caution. The one thing that does not abide by majority�s rule is a person�s conscience |
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