With news of this year's flu vaccine shortage, much attention is focused on ways to stay healthy this winter season. 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 this winter.
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 alcohol-based liquid that can be diluted in water and taken as an herbal drink.
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 Cold Tablets with Zinc.
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