Antiviral and antibacterial, the traditional Native American remedy contains polysaccharides that can raise levels of infection-fighting white blood cells, among other functions. To reap those benefits, Natural medicine recommends getting 3 grams of Echinacea purpurea (a well-studied species) daily when you're sick, reducing the dose as you start to feel better. The only people who should be careful about dosage are those who have severe allergies to the aster family of plants.
Sizing up 25 studies on over-the-counter cough medicine, a recent research review published in "The Cochrane Library" determined that there's no good evidence for or against the effectiveness of formulas such as Robitussin and Mucinex.
For natural, reliable cough relief, try a tea recipe recommended by Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., director of education at the University of Arizona's Program in Integrative Medicine. It features thyme, which alleviates chest congestion and supports respiratory function, along with throat-soothing honey, sage, and vitamin-C-rich lemon.
Cough-Control Tea1. Pour hot water over 2 teaspoons organic lemon rinds, 1 teaspoon sage, and 1/2 teaspoon thyme. (Dried or fresh herbs can be used.)
2. Cover and steep for 15 minutes.
3. Strain tea, then add juice of 1/2 lemon and 1 tablespoon honey.
4. Drink two to three cups daily for cough relief.
A 2001 study discovered that participants who popped a garlic supplement daily from November to February were less likely to get colds than those who took a placebo. But Natural health suggests going for the fresh herb, both in preventing and banishing colds. Crushing up a clove, mixing it with olive oil and lemon juice, and putting it on your meal or salad is something easy for people to do every day. When you're sick, down at least three cloves of garlic daily. Besides salad dressing, try mashing up a clove and spreading it on toast; eating a few sprigs of parsley or mint afterward will help stave off garlic breath.
As with any type of homeopathic medicine, oscillococcinum aims to restore health by delivering a highly diluted dose of a substance that produces symptoms characteristic of the illness being treated. Here, that substance is extract of muscovy duck heart and liver, identified by homeopaths as reservoirs of the influenza virus. A 1998 study from the British Homeopathic Journal gave either oscillococcinum or a placebo to 372 patients with the flu, finding that the remedy both lessened their symptoms and shortened the duration of sickness. If you're intrigued by the "like cures like" approach to wellness, Natural health recommends using one or two tubes of oscillococcinum once or twice weekly for the flu, in combination with other immune-enhancing supplements (such as echinacea or elderberry)
Build up your immune defenses with a plant-based diet high in vitamin C (think kiwi, citrus, and broccoli), stay hydrated and drink green or black tea both shown to aid the immune system.
Become slightly germ-obsessed, at least for the winter months. Wash your hands and wipe down kitchen and high traffic surfaces as often as you can.
Be sure to get plenty of rest and relaxation; chronic stress and sleep deprivation are both known to wear down your immunity.
Then, when a cold or flu does strike, act fast. No matter what you use as treatment, start taking it right away, as viruses duplicate within the first 48 hours of symptoms. Here were some choices for the best ways to keep colds and flu at bay. All are available at natural-foods stores; a few you might already have in your kitchen.
So what are some of your reliable over the counter or natural remedies you do?
