As you all can tell by the advertisements on television and all the magazines, flu season is officially here. And unless you work from home and never interact with anybody else, you can easily catch it this year. Just a handshake or even touching a doorknob or pushing an elevator button that an infected person has recently touched can lead to several days of misery.
Of course, there are different strengths of influenza strains. Some are quite virulent and contagious and can rapidly turn into a full-blown pandemic. That was what happened in the flu pandemic of 1918-19, when 5-200, million people died. These are rare, but they do happen. Then
there are the more basic flu viruses that, while they make you feel miserable for a week or two, typically pose no real threat for the vast majority of the population.
But still, anyone who’s had a bad case of the flu knows that it’s no picnic. The symptoms can easily impair your entire respiratory tract, as well as causing severe headaches, body aches, sore throat and coughing due to congestion. On rare occasions, hospitalization is required for more difficult cases. This usually involves either senior citizens or small children.
Flu can make other conditions worse…
Sometimes it can develop into ear infections or even worsen other health conditions. Even mild versions can put you in bed for several days. Regardless of the medicines out there, millions of people are laid low by influenza every year.
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But you don’t have to suffer the worst of it. Enduring five, six or seven days of the flu and all its discomfort can be a nightmare. But, with the right natural remedies, the effects of a bout of influenza can be greatly diminished in intensity, if not completely avoided. That is, if you take the right precautions and boost your immune system, you stand a much greater chance of fending off the worst of this season’s flu virus without a problem.
7 smart, natural flu remedies
Here’s what you can take to fight back naturally, without subjecting your body to the harsh medicines that often times diminish it’s ability to fight the flu virus as they mask the symptoms:
Elderberry
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a herb that has a long history of use as a folk remedy for colds, sinus infections and the flu. In recent laboratory tests, elderberry extracts have been determined to help the body fight off infectious viruses. Researchers believe that anthocyanins, compounds found naturally in elderberries, may be the active ingredient that can enhance the immune system and block the flu virus from attacking our cells.
Although the studies on whether elderberry is effective in humans in preventing or treating the flu are few, it’s long been used as a natural medicine. One specific study showed that five days of elderberry syrup (15 ml four times a day) was more effective than a placebo for relieving symptoms of the flu. As a result, the test subjects who who took elderberry had almost completely recovered by the third or fourth day of treatment. The people who had the placebo didn’t fully recover until a week or even longer. Unfortunately, most medical studies on elderberry health benefits have been relatively limited.
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As usual, the medical community is behind the curve on natural remedies and elderberry is no exception. No mystery there, huh? Still, you can get elderberry juice, syrup and capsules at most health food stores. We haven’t found any big side effects, unless you count the occasional case of mild indigestion as a big deal. A very few people might have allergic reaction, so try a very small taste of it first.
There is one BIG WARNING and that is: only use elderberry extract obtained at a reputable health store. That’s because the fresh leaves, flowers, bark, young buds, unripe berries and roots contain cyanide and could possibly cyanide poisoning.
Omega 3s
Omega 3s are powerful fatty acids that provide all kinds of benefits to your body. Eating regular servings of fish will get you all the Omega 3s you need, but if fish isn’t a regular part of your diet, no problem. Daily Omega 3 pills are easily taken, giving you all the fabulous immune- building benefits you need to withstand this winter’s flu onslaught.
It’s actually quite interesting how Omega 3s help your immune system fight off disease. They increase the activity of phagocytes—cells that protect the body by ingesting (phagocytosing) harmful foreign particles, bacteria, and dead or dying cells. But that’s not all. According to a study by Britain’s Institute of Human Nutrition and School of Medicine, Omega 3s also help increase airflow and protect lungs from colds and respiratory infections.
Which Omega 3 pills should you get? That’s actually a very good question.
Because there are so many “Omega 3” options out there, you need to pay attention to the label and not be confused by the cheaper and less effective brands. Your best bet is to only buy purified fish oil capsules. They should contain at least 1 gram or more of both EPA and DHA.
Finally, Omega 3s can and should be taken all year ‘round, not just in flue season. This is because the health benefits extend way beyond immune-boosting, into heart and joint health benefits among others.
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Astragalus
This root herb originates in China and has been shown to stimulate the white blood cells that fight infection. This can really help in fighting the flu virus, and well-known life extension expert Andrew Weil, MD. agrees, even though clinical studies are not compete.
But one study in 2006-7 discovered that astragalus seems to improve immune function in mice. Another study indicates that similar effect in people can be achieved in people. We say, “Ask the Chinese. They’ve been using it for millennia.”
Remember, medical science usually arrives a bit late to the natural remedies party. But that’s no reason not to trust thousands of years of experience among ancient civilizations.
A couple things to bear in mind are that astragalus won’t work right away. It can take 6 to 8 weeks to reach its full effect. Secondly, given that you can catch a virus any time of the year, there’s no reason not to take it year round for continuous immune support.
Vitamin D
One of the “forgotten” consequences of the widespread use of SPF sunblock formulas is that along with harmful UV rays, the natural Vitamin D provided by the sun is also blocked. This may be one of the reasons that so many people are Vitamin D deficient and therefore vulnerable to viral infections.
A Harvard study showed that this power nutrient is also an immunity booster and can help prevent colds and provide resistance to the influenza virus. Not surprisingly, compared with those with the highest Vitamin D levels in their bodies, those with the lowest levels were 36 percent more likely to get upper respiratory infections.
Worse, those with asthma who also had low Vitamin D levels were nearly 6oo percent more likely to fall ill than those with the largest amounts in their systems. The facts are what they are: those with low Vitamin D get sick more often than those with high Vitamin D levels. That’s because with the proper amount of Vitamin D in it, the body produces more cathelicidin, a protein that contains virus-killing qualities.
But since many of us don’t live where the sun shines all year ‘round, and don’t care to get sunburned when it does shine, it’s no wonder that so many of us are Vitamin D deficient. We also don’t eat enough fish, which is another sources of Vitamin D. The best option is to take a supplement to attain optimal Vitamin D levels on a daily basis. For most adults, that means taking in at least 1,000 IU each day, which can be found in one or two tablets. Pretty easy and no sunburn necessary!
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Ginseng
Ginseng comes in many variations and from different places around the world. One particular type is cultivated in
North America that has proven to be very effective against colds and flu. “North American ginseng”, also called Panax quinquefolius, has been found to contain compounds called polysaccharides and ginsenosides. Both are thought to be the active ingredient in ginseng and are found in the popular cold remedy, Cold-fX.
Cold-fX is a key point for immunity resistance to the flu. Two separate studies on Cold-fX were conducted on 198 nursing home residents. Some received Cold-fX while others just received a placebo. When the researchers looked at the results of the two studies together, they found that Cold-fX reduced the incidence of the flu by as much as 50 percent. Naturally, Cold- fX is popular and many people swear by it.
And, according to a study by the Center for Immunotherapy of Cancer and Infectious Diseases at the University of Connecticut, those who took two daily capsules of Cold-fX caught half as many colds as a group taking a placebo. Furthermore, when they did get sick, their symptoms lasted less than half as long. This particular ginseng variety contains compounds that increase white blood cells and interleukins, proteins that the immune system relies on.
Still, the medical community is not yet ready to throw its support behind Cold-fX and the ginseng ingredients it contains. Some scientists argue, that more testing is needed to determine the effectiveness of this product. Others question the safety of using ginseng to fight off viral infections.
For example, there is the possibility that ginseng may lessen the effectiveness of “blood-thinning” (anticlotting or antiplatelet) drugs such as warfarin (Coumadin) or aspirin. Some doctors also warn that it may interact with diabetes medications, antidepressants known as MAO in- hibitors, antipsychotic drugs (e.g., chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), olanzapine (Zyprexa)), drugs that stimulate the central nervous system (used to treat conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, narco- lepsy, obesity, and heart conditions) and estrogen replacement therapy or oral contraceptives. The jury is still out on these claims.
A word of warning here: There is also the possibility that the ginseng root has estrogen- like properties. This can be a problem for those with hormone-related conditions such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis and cancers of the breast, ovaries, uterus or prostate. Also, those who have heart conditions, schizophrenia or diabetes also shouldn’t take ginseng root unless under a doctor’s supervision.
However, the manufacturer of Cold-fX explains on their website that because their product isn’t a whole plant extract but contains a certain compound found in ginseng, it doesn’t have the side effects and safety concerns commonly associated with ginseng. This may be true, but we haven’t found much published information to verify this.
Ginger
The ginger root (zingiber officinale) has been used as a medicine in Asian, Indian, and Arabic herbal healing traditions for thousands of years. It has been primarily used as a medicine that brings relief to symptoms rather than as a preventative medicine.
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The warming nature of the root helps to produce sweating and thus helps to release pathogens. Ginger also helps to strengthen the immunity of weaker indi- viduals who sweat without the relief of symptoms.
Ginger has also been used successfully as a natural remedy for the treatment of digestive problems, stomach upset and nausea since Biblical times, as well as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent. As a remedy to help treat the common cold, flu-like symptoms, headaches and painful menstrual periods, ginger has been a “go-to” herb for generations across many cultures.
A delicious herbal tea can be made for those trying to recover from a cold or flu by simmering a couple of cinnamon sticks and sliced fresh ginger in water for at least 20 minutes. It can also be taken in high-dose supplement form to aid the immune system in warding off and killing the flu virus.
Echinacea
Echinacea has a long history as cold and flu fighter and is still used today in a variety of cold and flu treatments. And although there are several types of echinacea, including Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia, and Echinacea pallida, the above-ground parts (the leaves, flowers and stems) of Echinacea purpurea have the best record for treating cold and flu symptoms.
That said, some studies seem to debunk the effectiveness of Echinacea in relieving viral symptoms of the common cold and the flu. The treated group was found to be no better off than the placebo group. But there are several counter facts against those studies, including the type of Echinacea plant used as well as the dosage.
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One study tested two different doses of Echinacea purpurea (450 mg and 900 mg) and found that the higher dose was significantly better than a placebo at reducing the severity of flu symptoms on days three and four.
Natural healers and herbalists often recommend taking Echinacea every two to three hours with a total daily dose of three or more grams per day at the first sign of symptoms. After several days, the dose is usually reduced and continued for the following week.
Therefore, even though recent findings throw some doubt on the use of Echinacea for colds and flu, it’s still one of the most popular herbs used today is an ingredient in Airborne, a supplement containing vitamins and herbs that’s sold over the counter.
