“NATURAL” REMEDIES FOR COLDS AND FLU
Posted: under Anti-Infectives.
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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