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by Paula Persson
Stay Healthy This Cold and Flu Season
THE NATURAL WAY
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year 35 to 50 million Americans come down with the flu between November and March. children are two to three times more likely than adults to get sick and spread the flu virus to others, and the elderly are particularly vulnerable to the effects of colds and flu. That means that the chances are pretty high that someone in most American households will catch a cold or the flu this winter. But instead of turning to conventional medicines, more Americans than ever are turning to natural remedies to restore their bodies to health. According to a May 2004 study from the Centers for Disease Control, 55 percent of Americans today combine alternative treatments with conventional medicines. As a growing number of consumers begin to adopt natural medicines and practices to treat colds and flu, many have found that navigating the world of natural medicines can be a daunting task. What are astragalus, kudzu, yarrow and mullein and how are they used? Do they work? Are they safe? Can these be taken with other medicines? What other treatments should be considered? Following is a brief guide of a variety of natural remedies to consider as you try to select the best natural approaches to cold and flu care for your family.
ZINC
A popular alternative treatment for colds
is zinc, which comes in either a nasal
spray or in lozenges. Zinc treatments
work by preventing many of the hundreds
of different cold viruses from adhering to
and multiplying in the back of the throat
and in the nose. Zinc products work
best when used at the first signs of a
cold - when the first tickle in the throat
comes on or when an individual first
begins to sneeze or cough. If taken at the
early stages of a cold, zinc prevents cold
viruses from multiplying and can help
to shorten the duration and lessen the
cold’s severity. Popular brands of all-natural
zinc treatments include Zicam Cold
Spray, Cold-Eeze Lozenges and Hyland’s
Sniffles ‘n Sneezes 4 Kids.
ECHINACEA
The most widely used medicinal herb in
America, Echinacea (purple coneflower)
is thought to temporarily stimulate
the body’s immune system, making it
more adept at fighting off viruses and
other illnesses. Studies have shown
that Echinacea is moderately effective
in reducing the duration and severity
of a cold. Echinacea is not meant to be
used continuously and should be taken
at the first signs of a cold and for one to
two weeks afterwards. People who are
allergic to members of the aster family,
including artichokes, chrysanthemums,
daisies, marigolds, and sunflowers, are
advised against taking the herb. Also,
because it is a nonspecific immune system
stimulant, those with autoimmune
diseases like lupus, multiple sclerosis,
and rheumatoid arthritis should also
avoid taking Echinacea. Take care in
shopping for Echinacea products, as the
FDA does not regulate herbal products.
It’s best to look for “standardized” formulations
of the tincture derived from
Echinacea root. A tincture is an alcoholbased
liquid that can be diluted in water
and taken as an herbal drink.
HOMEOPATHY
Homeopathy is a natural approach to
medicine that stimulates the body’s
curative responses so the body heals
itself. Homeopathic treatments take into
account all of the symptoms a person
exhibits, including the mental, physical
and emotional. Homeopathic medicines
work quickly and safely for every member
of the family. They can treat specific, targeted
symptoms of a cold, which is particularly
important because each person
tends to exhibit a unique set of symptoms
when they are sick. For example,
while one member of the family may
tend to have a stuffy nose when they’re
sick, another may have a nasal drip. The
use of specific homeopathic medicines
to address such unique symptoms on
their own is called “single” remedy treatment.
But, because there are more than
2,500 single remedies to choose from,
the single medicine approach can be
overwhelming for many consumers. To
make it easier, many turn to homeopathic
combination products. These products
contain a variety of single remedies that
address different cold and flu symptoms,
so one pill may work for many members
of the family.
Some of the most popular homeopathic
products for colds and flu include
Hyland’s Complete Flu Care, Hyland’s
Sniffles ‘n Sneezes 4 Kids, Alpha CF
and ColdCalm. For example, Hyland’s
Complete Flu Care contains several
different single remedies to relieve
the symptoms of the flu—including
Gelsemium and Bryonia, two effective
homeopathic medicines that treat very
different symptoms. So, if one family
member exhibits body aches and headaches,
the Gelsemium in the formula
will work for him, but the Bryonia in the
formula will specifically address another
family member’s irritability and body
aches. Using comprehensive, combination
products like Hyland’s Complete Flu
Care takes the guesswork out of finding
the right single remedy. And because
homeopathic medicines have no ill side
effects, there are no concerns if the
wrong medicine is taken. With a 200-year
history, homeopathic medicines (single
remedies or combinations) in the US
are regulated and inspected by the FDA
as drugs. Weight, age or combining with
other medications aren’t an issue when
using homeopathic medicines, so even
infants can safely take the remedies without
worries about dosage. All homeopathic
products are 100 percent natural,
non-toxic, gentle and safe.
DON’T FORGET AN OUNCE
OF PREVENTION
Of course, most people would rather
prevent a cold or flu than to get sick in
the first place. Incorporating garlic into
the diet either as a pill or as part of meals
is a natural way to boost the body’s
resistance to infection. And of course,
adhering to common sense practices
such as washing hands often, refraining
from smoking, exercising regularly, staying
hydrated and eating healthfully are
great ways to keep illness at bay. Taking
a few minutes to stock up on natural
remedies and healthy foods can make
all the difference for your family this year
and provide safe, natural and effective
relief from most common cold and flu
symptoms.
Paula Persson has over 13 years of experience
marketing homeopathic medicines
for Hyland’s, most recently as its Vice
President of Marketing. She now serves
as a part-time consultant in marketing
strategy and is a full-time mother of two
daughters in Southern California.
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