Beat the Cold and Flu Blues with Herbal Remedies

Our approach to colds and the flu is comprehensive and
holistic. Just as in our most comprehensive and integral
health and wellness programs, it works best to look at the
whole person, taking into account many different aspects of
wellness health care and then nourish and support the
body's own natural means of keeping itself well.

If you've been interested in a more natural approach to
colds and flu and in taking better care of your whole self
you should know:

Over the counter drugs that are designed to eliminate the
symptoms of the cold - ease congestion, stop the cough,
soothe the sore throat - actually interfere with the body's
protective immune responses. The condition may seem to get
better because of the masking of the symptoms but the
body's natural immune response have been curtailed. Over
the counter cold remedies do nothing to fight cold viruses
or boost the immune responses so they can have little
effect on the duration of colds.

Of the five antihistamines commonly used to treat colds,
research shows that only one of them may actually help dry
a runny nose.

Researchers have found that over the counter drugs may have
no benefit for preschoolers.

Decongestants can produce side effects like jitters and
insomnia.

Mucus, tears, and saliva are saturated with IgA antibodies.
Mucus is a genetically engineered antibiotic substance that
contains specific antibodies to your current infection.
Thus when you take an over the counter decongestant that
dries mucus secretions during a cold or flu you may be
reducing your immune responses and contributing to
lengthening the duration of your infection. It might be
better to take substances that thin and liquefy the mucus
and keep it flowing freely with plenty of liquids.

Herbs like licorice may deal with excess mucus through a
moistening action, loosening mucus and making it flow more
readily out of the body. Other herbs that may help to do
this include marshmallow and slippery elm.

Echinacea and Goldenseal are probably the most frequently
used herbs for colds and flu in the United States:

Clinically Echinacea is not generally considered to be a
major herb for working with the flu although it is often
used as an auxiliary herb. Research suggest that Echinacea
may be particularly helpful at the onset of a cold or flu.
If taken early enough in the appropriate dosages it may
contribute to heading off a cold or flu.

Once the cold is well established, though, Echinacea by
itself is not the most effective herbal approach. After the
cold or flu has taken hold Echinacea continues to be useful
in combination with other herbs and it helps shorten the
duration and severity of the infection. By itself Echinacea
does not usually knock out a cold or flu.

Taking Goldenseal in the early stages of a cold or flu may
actually make the condition worse by drying up the mucus
membranes. This inhibits the mucus, saturated with
antibodies to fight the bacteria, virus or other microbes,
from working.

Clinically Goldenseal is used for subacute and chronic
infections of the mucus membranes but it is not thought to
be appropriate for use in the acute stage.

Goldenseal works as a cleanser and anti-inflammatory. It
can be helpful at very specific times in very specific
doses in a cold. But there is not a single study that shows
that Goldenseal works as a cold fighter.

Even better cold & flu herbs:

Black elder is another traditional herbal remedy that has
been shown that it may have good effects on the flu. A
recent clinical trail showed that a preparation of black
elder ended cases of the flu within three days and also
boosted the immune system responses. Oregon grape can be
used as a contemporary substitute for Goldenseal and may be
much better than even Echinacea for use with the common
cold.

Peppermint contains compounds that can relax the airways
and open congested sinuses and nasal passages.

Ginger appears to fight inflammation and pain. It also
appears to acts as an expectorant and have warming effects
that can be helpful if you are chilled.

Yarrow seems to fight inflammation and muscle spasm and
promote sweating. It has long been used against colds and
flu.

Thyme is an expectorant and appears to fight microbes. Its
flavonoids may help decrease smooth muscle spasm which may
assists in opening tight airways.

Mullen is a demulcent which contains mucilagous substances
that coat and soothe irritated respiratory linings. It may
help to loosen a cough and fight viruses.

More natural herbal remedies:

St. John's Wort has been shown in test tubes studies to
inhibit influenza A viruses and parainfluenza virus but not
rhinovirus (a cold virus). Osha has traditionally been used
in the Rocky Mountains as the most important plant for
treating respiratory infections. Osha is used extensively
to treat colds, flu, and bronchial infections. The tincture
or tea is antibacterial.

Boneset is used as a traditional remedy for the flu. In the
past Boneset was used as a major remedy for the flu,
fevers, and as a general tonic. It has been used to treat
both acute and chronic conditions. In one study the immune
stimulating polysaccharides in Boneset were found to be ten
times more potent than Echinacea polysaccharides.

An herbal bath may be an effective remedy for easing cold
symptoms and increasing immune responses. It may help to
nip them in the bud. During the bath the essential oils of
the herbs are released by the hot water. These oils are
believed to be absorbed through the pores of the skin and
through the nose and mouth mucus membranes. Absorption
through the mucus membranes may bring the oils into contact
with the upper respiratory tract where they are able to
exert their antibacterial effects.

----------------------------------------------------
Mary Ann Copson is the founder of Evenstar Herbs and the
Evenstar Mood & Energy Wellness Center. With Master's
Degrees in Human Development and Psychology and Counseling,
Mary Ann is a Certified Licensed Nutritionist; Certified
Holistic Health Practitioner; Brain Chemistry Profile
Clinician. There is a special section of cold and flu
remedies in the Evenstar Herbal Products Catalog.
http://evenstaronline.com/herbs