What are
colds and flu?
Every fall, like the
seasons themselves, the flu season arrives with a vengeance taking
people out of work, school, and sometimes... sending them to the
hospital with serious complications.
Most people will suffer 2 to 4 colds a year,
usually during early Fall and throughout Spring. Doctors call them
"viral upper respiratory infections" or "acute viral
nasopharyngitis".
Colds may be caused by any one of over 250 viruses
that cause inflammation in the mucous linings of the nose and
throat. They are more common in winter, possibly because the indoor
heating dries out our nasal passages, which makes them more
susceptible to cold and flu viruses.
The familiar symptoms, nasal
congestion, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, watery eyes and a sore
throat, usually develop a day or two after exposure to the virus.
The infection normally lasts about a week to 10 days. The symptoms
are not caused by the virus itself, but by your body’s attempts to
get rid of the virus.
In
addition to the hundreds of cold viruses, there are dozens of the
viruses that cause flu or influenza. Flu symptoms are similar to
those produced by the cold virus - coughing, sneezing, muscle aches,
fatigue, fever and gastrointestinal distress. One or more flu virus
will certainly make an appearance during this winter season.
Over 90 million Americans contract the flu every
year at a cost of about 70 million lost work days and an annual $12
billion in lost production during epidemics.
Thankfully, most flu
sufferers will recover after one to two weeks, but according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) there are
approximately 20,000 deaths in an average flu season.
Drugs
and the flu
Cold and flu sufferers spend billions of dollars
yearly on various over-the-counter medications that are designed to
suppress cold symptoms.
But since the symptoms actually represent
your body’s efforts to eliminate the virus, the conventional cold
remedies that try to suppress the fever, runny nose, sneezing and
coughing simply don’t make any sense.
Antibiotics are often requested
by patients themselves. They make even less sense because they fight
bacteria, not viruses. These medications are not only useless, they
are often harmful and even dangerous as they can cause side effects
and alter the immune system needlessly.
They can cause a number of
side effects, including drowsiness, elevation of blood pressure and
increased chance of an allergic reaction. Some, especially nasal
sprays, are addictive and can lead to dependence.
Medical doctors are usually not very helpful either.
Feeling pressured to provide some kind of treatment, they prescribe
useless cough suppressants, nasal decongestants and even antibiotics
that are completely useless against viruses.
This practice is the
main reason for the increasingly common problem of bacterial
resistance, when even the most potent antibiotics become powerless
against the bacteria.
Herbal
Protection Against Viruses
Fortunately, there are a number of natural
substances that help the immune system fight the viruses causing
colds and flu. They have been used in folk medicine long before the
first antibiotic was even discovered.
Wild
Oregano
possesses superior antimicrobial powers, capable of
bringing fast relief from cold and flu symptoms (runny nose,
congestion, chills, sore throat, ear aches, cough, fever, fatigue,
stuffiness and muscle aches) because it is able to kill the virus
that is their cause.
Oregano oil has incredible antiviral,
antibacterial and antifungal effects. Studies show it also has
unrivaled antiseptic (pain-killing) qualities.
Many studies have
shown that oregano oil can improve the symptoms and shorten the
duration of the common cold and flu. Plus, as discussed in Dr. Cass
Ingram’s The Cure is in the Cupboard: How to Use Oregano for
Better Health, oregano oil has been proven effective against a
variety of microorganisms. The best part is that oregano oil is
completely non-toxic and does not cause any side effects.
The Olive Leaf has the distinction of being
one of the few medicinal plants mentioned in the Bible. Studies show
that Olive Leaf extract is a potent anti-microbial that has inhibited
the growth of every human pathogen it has been tested against,
including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and yeast.
Echinacea
has a rich tradition of use by
North American Indians who used it medicinally more than any other
plant. Echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the cells
responsible for fighting all kinds of infection. In other words, it
makes our own immune cells more efficient in attacking bacteria,
viruses and abnormal cells; including cancer cells.
Today millions of Europeans use Echinacea as their
primary therapy for colds, flu, infections, and for general
immune-boosting effects. The main uses of Echinacea include: colds,
coughs and flu and other upper respiratory conditions, enlarged
lymph glands and sore throat.
Golden Seal has
been used for centuries in herbal medicine. Golden Seal has
antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It
soothes irritated mucus membranes, aiding the eyes, ears, nose and
throat.
Taken at the first signs of respiratory problems, Golden
Seal may help prevent further symptoms from developing. It may be
used to help reduce fevers and relive congestion and excess mucous.
Garlic
(Allium sativum) has been used since
the days of the Egyptians to treat wounds, infections, tumors, and
intestinal parasites. Modern scientific research confirms the
benefits of these and other ancient uses for garlic.
The Allicin in Garlic is responsible for many of its
healing properties. It stimulates the immune system, increasing the
activity of white blood cells that fight foreign organisms, such as
viruses, bacteria, and yeast.
Garlic is particularly effective in
treating upper respiratory viral infections due to its immune
enhancing properties and its ability to clear mucous from the
lungs.
Astragalus
is a Chinese herb that has
traditionally been used to strengthen the Wei Ch'i, or immune
system. It is regarded as a potent tonic for increasing energy
levels and stimulating the immune function.
It has been proven
effective in cases of colds, flu and even cancer. The American Cancer
Society reported that it restored immune functions in 90% of the
cancer patients studied. It improves the white cell function and
general resistance to infection.
The effect of the mineral Zinc on the immune
system is well known. According to medical studies, it can reduce
the average duration of colds by 7 days and decrease the severity of
all cold symptoms to virtually nonexistent after the third day!
Vitamin C
is well known for its ability to
fight viruses and bacteria by stimulating the white cells, which are
the "soldiers" of the immune system.
Vitamin C may be the
most important antioxidant when it comes to immune system function.
It works well with other immune activators and does not cause any
side effects.
