No one lives with the results of taking a particular preventive but the person who takes it, so the most important thing is that each adult makes their own informed decision because there is much controversy on this [...]]]> … for cold and flu prevention

No one lives with the results of taking a particular preventive but the person who takes it, so the most important thing is that each adult makes their own informed decision because there is much controversy on this subject.

If you have not been taking ‘power’ foods or supplements for some months to strength your metabolism, once flu season arrives, it’s time to make a choice on a preventive. Below is an excerpt from Randall Neustaedter’s book, regarding the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum, widely used for 2009-2010’s flu season.

Homeopathic remedies do not carry the risk of side-effects or of causing you to acquire the virus, because homeopathic remedies are not made from large molecules of the actual diseases, like vaccines are. The successful use of homeopathic remedies is a historical fact recorded with epidemics of scarlet fever, typhoid and flu, for example. The success rate in epidemics was far from 100% in either conventional or homeopathic choices, but homeopathy’s success rate was sometimes higher than conventional medical treatment. Until homeopathy encountered adversity with the American Medical Association, there were various homeopathic hospitals throughout North America. Today, homeopathic remedies are available from Homeopaths and from some pharmacies or health store locations. In this area, both Hooper’s Pharmacy locations in Port Credit and Brampton as well as the Village Health Store on Erin Mills Parkway, carry this year’s flu preventive of Influenzinum, and Oscillococcinum which is used in particular for those already experiencing flu symptoms. Influenzinum is taken before flu season arrives, or as soon as you can before onset of symptoms. If you have the flu, homeopathics can lessen symptoms and shorten duration. Homeopathic remedies are inexpensive, under $20 for a package of multiple vials. Informative websites worth reading are listed at the end of the excerpt below.

If choosing any particular supplement, taking Bee Propolis can certainly not hurt, because of its broad antimicrobial activity that includes antiviral properties. More information on propolis is here in the Bee Product section. Vitamin D blood analysis does not appear to be a regular part of blood analysis yet, but you can request it when blood analysis is done. Adequate levels of ‘D’ are vital for proper immune function. Cod liver oil is but one source. Lugol’s Iodine is available at health food stores and is part of a strong immune system. If your body has adequate levels and you don’t need more, a swab of iodine on your arm will still be visible up to 24 hours later. And, Collodial Silver is reported to kill around 650 different pathogens. A strong immune system, coupled with hand and nasal cleansing, is a strong preventive….especially with homeopathic remedies added.

                                                   ~   ~   ~  

“FLU:  Alternative Treatments and Prevention (North Atlantic Books, 2005).

Oscillococcinum Clinical Study in France

Begin taking the homeopathic preparation………. then switch to the appropriate homeopathic medicine once your symptoms begin to develop clear characteristics.

Oscillococcinum was first studied in France during the 1987 flu epidemic caused by an H1N1 virus. This multi-center study examined the effect of Oscillococcinum (200C) on the early symptoms of flu. Results were published in the peer-reviewed British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. More patients in the treatment group recovered completely in the first 48 hours than the control group (17 percent of patients with active treatment compared to 10 percent of controls). More patients in the treatment group also judged the treatment as favorable compared to the placebo, 61 percent vs 49 percent (Ferley, 1989).

In 1990 German physicians replicated the French study of Oscillococcinum. They used the same criteria as the previous study and enrolled 372 patients. After 48 hours of treatment with Oscillococcinum the treatment group had significantly milder symptoms than the control group, and the number of patients with no symptoms from day two onward was significantly greater in the treatment group (17.4 percent) compared to the control group (6.6 percent) (Papp, 1998).

Both of these studies show a significant curative effect of a homeopathic medicine in the treatment of flu in carefully conducted, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Conventional antiviral drugs reduce the duration of flu by about one day if taken within the first 48 hours of illness (Cooper, 2003). Comparing the results of these studies with the meager effect of conventional treatment shows that homeopathy carries the potential to make a dramatic difference in any flu epidemic without the risk of drug side effects.

Another effective herb for relieving flu symptoms is black elderberry extract (Sambucol). Elderberry proved to cut short the flu by four days in a double-blind controlled study. Nearly 90 percent of patients given elderberry extract were completely cured with 2-3 days. In the control group it took six days for 90 percent of patients to recover (Zakay-Rones, 2004). A second clinical study showed similar results. Among the group receiving elderberry, 75 percent were much improved within two days, and 90 percent were completely cured by day three. The control group took six days before 90 percent were cured (Zakay-Rones, 1995). In that study elderberry was also found to inhibit the replication of both type A and type B flu viruses.

Those researchers also investigated the mode of action of elderberry on viruses. They found that elderberry inhibited the enzyme that attaches the virus to human cells and also inhibited the enzyme that breaks down the human cell wall allowing the virus to enter and kill the cell. Another group of researchers also showed that elderberry activates the immune system by increasing inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine production (Barak, 2002).

First-stage treatment for flu (day one)

Oscillococcinum 200C  ½ vial 3 times per day

Vitamin C    4–6 grams per day

Vitamin A    10,000–25,000 IU per day

Yin Chiao     3 times per day

Echinacea    900 mg powder per day, or 3 droppers

                 3 times per day

Sambucol     2 teaspoons per day

Often the initial treatment protocol will stop the illness and the symptoms will go away. If flu symptoms continue, move on to the next phase of treatment. If you have access to an acupuncturist, herbalist, or homeopathic practitioner, seek out their advice.

You can also choose a homeopathic medicine yourself that is indicated for the particular symptoms of your flu. Once specific characteristic symptoms have established themselves, it is possible to find the correct homeopathic medicine.   The two most frequently indicated homeopathic flu medicines over the past 100 years have been Gelsemium and Bryonia. Significant differences in the symptom pictures of these two medicines make it easy to decide which is the better fit. They are not the only medicines used to treat the flu, but between them they will probably fit the majority of cases.

Bryonia and Gelsemium type flus both come on slowly over a six- to twelve-hour period. You begin to feel gradually worse over that time. By the second day you have aching muscles, feel pretty bad, and usually have a headache. A Bryonia patient has more pain in the front of the head, which is definitely made worse by moving the head or moving the eyes, and feels better from pressing the hand on the head. A Gelsemium patient has pain in the back of the head with stiffness and aching in the neck and across the shoulders. With a Gelsemium flu you will not want to move much either, and you may feel worse from moving around, but you avoid movement primarily because you are so tired. The characteristic state of Gelsemium is lethargy and fatigue. By contrast, those sufferers who need Bryonia will be tired but also restless. Bryonia discomfort is worse from motion, but at the same time you feel the urge to move about restlessly in the bed. No position seems comfortable. Bryonia patients are thirsty, Gelsemium are not. In fact, those who need Bryonia are generally warmer and drier, with a desire for air and cool temperatures to calm the heat. Gelsemium patients are chilly and sensitive to cold; cold shivers go down their spine. At the same time those who need Gelsemium are clammy with the fever, and feelings of heat and cold may alternate. Bryonia patients have more coughing and chest symptoms, with a painful cough that aggravates the sore throat. The Bryonia cough will also cause chest pains, with the inevitable reaction of pressing the palm to the chest to minimize the movement caused by coughing.

Gelsemium patients do not have the energy to be emotional. Bryonia patients are irritable, worried, and fretful. They want to be left alone. Gelsemium cases are too exhausted to complain.

Contrasting Gelsemium and Bryonia

Gelsemium                             Bryonia

Chilly, with chills down spine     Warm, with desire for cool air

Thirstless                              Thirsty

Dull, sleepy, heavy                  Dull, but irritable, worried

Worse from movement             All symptoms worse from

                                           movement, but restless

Headache at back of head       Headache in forehead, better

                                          from pressure, worse

                                          with motion

~   ~   ~  ~

For More Information

National Vaccine Information Center  ……        www.nvic.org

Australian Vacation Network –

Empowering People to Make Informed Choices ……       www.avn.org.au

Think Twice………………………………    www.thinktwice.com

Prevent Colds and Flu with a Neti Pot

If we think about it, it’s obvious that germs often enter our body via our nasal passages, lodging in either our sinus or lungs. Nasal cleansing for our nose is [...]]]>  

Prevent Colds and Flu with a Neti Pot

If we think about it, it’s obvious that germs often enter our body via our nasal passages, lodging in either our sinus or lungs. Nasal cleansing for our nose is like hand-washing for our mouth, our two entry points for germs. The healthy practice of rinsing our nasal passages with a neti pot’s saline solution removes impurities before they expand into something nasty, requiring antibiotics or steroidal nasal sprays, which both carry adverse effects with long-term use. Some 5-year olds find this practice fun!

Once you realize its large health impact, it’s worth trying something new when it is so simple. Using a neti pot to rinse out your nasal passage is as refreshing as brushing your teeth, equally as easy and beneficial.

When you tilt your head to the correct angle over the sink, the water in this little pot simply runs in through one nostril and out the other without running down your throat or into your ears, as some people seem to fear. Once tried, many adopt it as a habit to compliment their teeth brushing. While our initial reaction may be ‘yuk’ because it’s a fairly new idea in our western world, you’ll agree it’s easy if you try it. Neti pot use is especially encouraged for those with allergies or chronic sinus infections.

Our body fluids contain 0.9% salt, so using a slightly salty, lukewarm and pure water solution for nasal cleansing provides a comfortable and effective rinse. Cold water and fresh water will irritate the mucous membranes of our nose. The salt used should be a pure, fine grain salt but not iodized table salt or salt substitutes. Most neti pots come with a small measuring spoon for addition of salt that equals to ½ teaspoon. Folk traditions say that fishermen all over the world have rinsed their nasal passage with salt water for generations. In some African tribes, nasal cleansing is referred to as a “purifier of thoughts”, as in clearing the head.  For understanding the differences in qualities and purity levels of sea salts, you may enjoy reading the article on ‘Salt Choices’.