Antidepressants Blog

The growing interest in alternative medicine—from herbs and homeopathy to meditation and imagery—has been applied with a vengeance to the treatment of colds and flu. Two facts are worth remembering: “natural” does not necessarily mean “safe”—botulinum toxin is 100 percent natural and extremely deadly—and none of the so-called natural remedies have been subject to well-designed clinical studies that could unequivocably establish their effectiveness (or lack of effectiveness). Still, here are some natural remedies that there is good reason to believe may have some usefulness in countering the symptoms of a cold and perhaps speeding recovery. Warning: If you use any herbal remedies, be sure to treat them with the same cautions you would exercise with a “real” drug; overdosing can be just as dangerous since many plants contain potent medicinal substances.

Chicken soup: Popularly known as “Jewish penicillin,” soup made from a fat hen was first prescribed for colds by Moses Maimonides, a rabbi and physician in twelfth-century Egypt. But it doesn’t have to be made by your grandmother to make you feel better. Dr. Marvin Sackner of Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami, Florida, tested soup from a nearby delicatessen and showed that it helped to loosen and clear nasal mucus. See page 57 for my recipe for homemade chicken soup; if my grandmother were still alive, she would insist it is far more therapeutic than anything from a can or store.
Echinacea: This plant, a member of the daisy family, contains substances that are capable of strengthening the immune system and thus may help the body fight off an infection by a cold or flu virus. It should not be used on a regular basis, only when a cold or flu threatens.

Ephedra: This substance, from a broomlike shrub native to China, can be found in some herbal teas, including the American version, Mormon tea. Ephedra is an effective decongestant and it is the prototype for pseudoephedrine, the most popular synthetic decongestant.

Eucalyptus: The aromatic oil from this giant evergreen can help to relieve mucous congestion. It can be used with steam to relieve coughs and it is a component of some cough drops and cough suppressants. Warning: Eucalyptus should not be used for children.

Garlic: Allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, has antiviral properties and may also relieve aching joints (when applied to the skin). Garlic is said to act as an expectorant when consumed in a tea or used in a gargling solution.

Ginger: Ginger tea (made from the fresh ginger root) is a time-honored favorite for getting rid of the chills, relieving sinus and chest congestion, and countering nausea.

Goldenseal: This plant contains an antibiotic substance, berberine, that, like echinacea, is said to stimulate the immune system, prompting it to engulf and destroy infectious organisms. Like echinacea, it should be used only when fighting an illness like a cold or flu.

Imagery: Put yourself in a relaxed, meditative state and use your imagination to picture your strong and powerful immune system attacking those feeble cold and flu viruses. A study conducted by a Harvard University psychologist among thirty healthy students showed that those who used imagery in this way succeeded in boosting their immune systems, especially those elements that would fight off an invading respiratory virus.

Oscillococcinum: Although this homeopathic medicine is more than half a century old, it has yet to be put to a scientific test. Many swear by its ability to ward off colds and flu if taken at the first hint of an impending infection. However, anecdotal evidence does not establish facts. Homeopathy is based on a principle of dilution that in effect produces remedies with little or no active ingredients. The active ingredient in Oscillococcinum is listed as Anal barbariae hepatis et cordis extractum. It is made from many serial dilutions of an extract prepared from the heart and liver of ducks. In all likelihood, it is the user’s belief in its effectiveness that occasionally results in a positive effect.

Peppermint: The aromatic oil of this mint plant is touted as an all-around cold fighter—a decongestant, expectorant, and cough suppressant rolled into one. A strong infusion of peppermint tea, consumed at the first sign of a cold or flu, may or may not keep it at bay but at least can alleviate the symptoms of viral infection, including cough and fever.

Vitamin C: Though well-designed studies have shown no benefit of even large doses of this vitamin in preventing colds, several studies have indicated that when taken at the first hint of an impending cold, it can reduce cold symptoms and shorten the duration of the infection. The recommended doses needed for an effect, though, are very high—about 500 milligrams to 1 gram every hour for the first day, and about half that amount the second day. This may result in gastric and urinary irritation in some people.

Zinc: Evidence for the value of zinc gluconate lozenges in countering the symptoms of a cold is mixed. Some researchers have found it helpful, while others showed no effect. Supposedly, sucking slowly on the lozenge coats the throat with zinc and stops reproduction of cold viruses. One downside: the lozenges may taste awful. Also, beware of overdosing; too much zinc can cause nausea and raise cholesterol levels.
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Try not to listen to gossip about other people’s experiences.
Unfortunately it is at times like this that people share all the dramatic experiences of someone else’s cancer.
It is their experience, not yours. Horror stories are your f friend’s way of voicing their fear – they are scared that you are going to die. Treatments are advancing quickly to minimize all the unpleasant side effects, and the survival rate of most cancers is increasing each year. Make a pact to surround yourself, in the first few weeks, only with those people who are sensitive to your needs and act in a supportive way. The gossips can wait until later! Likewise, you will be inundated with stories of how friends and relatives were ‘cured’ of their cancers by all sorts of unusual potions. Talk with your doctor about these. Your doctor will be quite familiar with these suggestions and can give you advice.
Do it in your way that makes you feel best and helps you cope.

Focus on the ‘success’ stories of cancer survivors
Ask your doctor to introduce you to someone who has made a successful recovery from your type of cancer. A ‘survivor-mentor’ can be a great support and inspiration during those ‘blue days’. Having someone there who has been down the same road and experienced all the things that you will is the best thing you can do at this stage. Cancer support groups can be a great way of finding like-minded people and support. Many women and their ‘expert’ friends will be tempted at the initial stage of diagnosis to search for as much information on the disease as is readily available. Most of it through the Internet. Ask your doctor to refer you to some credible, well-referenced sites. Many sites do not contain accurate information, and are often a dumping or cleansing ground for all the negativity that some experience. At this stage well-balanced information will help you most. The Cancer Council in your area is a great starting point for good resources. Remember that your doctor will be treating your specific needs and is the best person to discuss your concerns with.
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What Is the Pain Message in RA?
We’ve stated that pain is a signal or message. What exactly is that message in the case of RA? In RA, inflammation that occurs in the joints can irritate nerve endings in the joint lining (synovium), capsule, and ligaments. This inflammation leads to swelling within the joints which causes these same structures to become stretched. Inflammation causes pain, and that pain is intensified by swelling. Pain from joints that are highly inflamed (warm, swollen, and tender) sends the following messages: (1) Respect your pain. (2) Slow down, you’re overdoing it. (3) Protect and rest your joints until the inflammation subsides.

Decreasing Pain
Just because pain is a valued signal doesn’t mean you have to suffer through it without trying to decrease its intensity. After all, pain is exhausting! The first step in decreasing the intensity of pain is accepting that pain exists in your present life. This doesn’t mean that you should surrender to a painful existence; it simply means that you must accept the fact that your joints are painful today and that you’ll need to direct your energies toward getting through today. If you are filled with regrets about the past and fears of the future, you are unsuccessfully fighting the presence of pain in your life. Regret and fear are wasted emotions that create feelings of guilt, blame, and anxiety, and these cause you further pain today. It is true but ironic that accepting pain is the first step in decreasing it.
Next, recognize pain as being a very personal experience. Understanding that each person has a unique awareness of his or her pain is critical because effective strategies for combating pain will differ for each person. You will need to take responsibility for your experience of pain, from how you perceive it to how you handle it. This does not mean accepting the blame for having RA. Rather, it means not viewing pain as an outside force that is directing you; don’t allow your pain to have that much power! Instead, view pain as a force over which you can exert some control. This will mean assessing the source of your pain, conditions that worsen it, your perception of it, and options that will allow you to direct it.
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