Herbs and Nutrition for Preventing and Treating Colds and Flu

Herbalists all over the country are combining forces to educate the public about natural health practices that can be used during cold and flu season, and especially in this time of the H1N1 flu pandemic.

Contrary to common belief, the flu is both preventable and treatable with herbs and other methods derived from nature. And the common cold can be eased along with the assistance of herbs and other nutrients allowing our bodies to fully experience each stage of recovery necessary to healing.

Symptoms of cold include, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, fever, chills, ear infections, restlessness nausea and appetite disturbances. Flu symptoms include fever, achiness, loss of appetite, cough and sore throat and dizziness. Both are contagious viral infections which cannot be treated with antibiotics and over the counter pharmaceuticals do little but mask symptoms. Many herbs grown across the US and sold in bulk at herbal shops or health stores are far less expensive than OTC medicine and herbal remedies can easily be made at home.

The herbs in this category are anti-microbial, which fight illness and destroy harmful pathogens. Anti-inflammatory, which act to soothe inflamed tissue and remedy irritation through a soothing emollient or demulcent action. Tonic, which help the body assimilate essential nutrients into the body and strengthen the system overall. Expectorant, which helps the respiratory system expel excess mucous from the lungs. And Febrifuge, which helps the body reduce fever.

Building the Immune System

Building the immune system is the first step to creating sustained wellness and the ability to successfully fight common cold and dangerous flu viruses.

Elderberries and Elder Flowers have been clinically studied and are proven to show remarkable action for preventing and treating flu and cold viruses. Elderberry syrup can be taken prior to a virus as a preventative measure or during the course of illness, often resulting in a quicker recovery period. Everyone can take elderberry syrup, including infants, and will notice immediate results. A strong tea of the berries or flowers also has the same effect.

Echinacea has long been renowned for it’s immune boosting properties. As an anti-viral herb, its unique ability to act as a lymphatic decongestant is the primary reason it works so well to rid the system of harmful organisms and viruses to support the immune system as a whole.

An herb popularly used in Traditional Chinese medicine is Astragalus, fast becoming popular to Western Herbalists. Astragalus is a root and is used to support immunity. Fresh or dried chopped root can be added to vegetable or chicken broth for a powerful immune enhancing soup.

Nutritional Support During Healing

Garlic is one of nature’s finest anti-viral and anti-microbial agents can be taken at the onset of illness. Raw garlic cloves taken daily with pure water and lemon juice can be useful in clearing up congestion, expelling mucus from the respiratory system and nasal passages, acting as an expectorant and fighting infection. Use in tandem with any of the herb vegetables of the onion family, chives, scallions to fight viruses and tone the entire system.

Nutritionally Garlic, Onions and Carrots work well together as a support during cold and flu season. Russian herbalists recommend drinking carrot juice daily, the Vitamin C content and beta carotene are vital components for immune strength and health. A soup made with vegetable broth, onions, garlic, carrots and Astragalus makes an excellent tonic.

The old saying “Feed a cold, starve a fever” is taken to mean when we have a cold, we may be more inclined to eat, but when we have a fever, our bodies are less likely to consume regular quantities of food in order to conserve energy for healing. Therefore, it is important to feed our bodies the highest quality nutrients, reducing sugar intake, processed foods, red meat and dairy.
A diet of easily digestable food is preferable to heavy, starchy or fiberous substances. Brown or white rice and miso soup is a well balanced alternative to canned soups and Kitcheree, a Middle Eastern dish made with lentils, rice and carrots, coconut milk and lemongrass, ginger and cayenne can be a nutritionally packed meal supporting healing.

The use of Cayenne and Ginger have a warming affect on the body by increasing circulation and will induce sweating and promote the expelling of fever.

During the flu, when we are less inclined to eat, herbal teas can be nutritive and provide adequate fluid. An excellent Tonic is made from Chickweed, a little weedy flower that grows in grassy fields. Chickweed is a cooling, restorative herb that can help with any chest infection or feverous conditions. In addition to tea, a light meal of whole grain toast with elderberry jam can improve stamina in addition to boosting the immune system, and lemon/ lime juice in fresh water can provide the vitamin C and energy you need during an illness.

Symptom Relief

To relieve a scratchy, sore throat, mucilaginous herbs called Demulcents can aid in reducing inflammation and irritation. Marshmallow root, Licorice and Slippery Elm are all used for this purpose. At your local health food store, you can find Slippery Elm Lozengers and a great tea is made with these ingredients is from Traditional Medicine called Throat Coat. A milder tea for children can be made with Raspberry Leaf, Chamomile and Marshmallow Root.

Honey is another staple food item that is needed during cold and flu season. Honey makes an effective cough syrup and the addition of certain herbs can make honey a prize fighter on the road to recovery. Nettle leaf is a wonderful tonic herb that can help heal respiratory illnesses. It releases deep congestion without irritating sensitive lung tissue. Pine has always been a remarkable healer of all kinds of lung conditions. Throughout the centuries herbalists and doctors have known of Pine’s unique healing qualities and have often recommended that infirm patients walk in Pine Forests to soothe their respiratory ailments. I combine a mixture of Marshmallow Root, Red Clover and White Pine to local honey to make a wonderful cough syrup for adults and children alike.

Children tend to get upset easier when they are sick. Valerian root is an excellent calmative which can be given to babies and children to calm them and ease them to sleep. Glycerites are pleasant tasting herbal medicine for children and Valerian Root Glycerite is easy to administer to even the fussiest of children. Adults can also benefit from Valerian when they are ill, tea or tincture can be taken regularly until a state of calm is induced. The benefit of Valerian as a sleep aid is that it is non habit forming and after a peaceful night sleep there is no grogginess upon waking the next morning.

If ear infections become a worrisome factor during a viral illness, treatment at the onset of earache is often effective to relieve pain and discomfort. A few drops of warmed olive oil can do the trick, but the addition of anti-microbial herbs such as Mullein, Garlic and Lavender add power to the remedy. Do not use this treatment however, if the ear drum has ruptured.

Checking In with Our Bodies

Herbalists and Holistic practitioners believe that illness is often a call to action. When we are tired and over-stressed, our bodies become more susceptible to illness and invasive bacteria and viruses.

It has become standard practice in our culture to seek a quick fix to many ailments with over the counter pharmaceuticals, which merely mask symptoms and do not get to the root of the problem. As a society, we feel pressure from our employers and our families to be well and get back to our busy lives immediately without taking time to fully recover.

The body has a way of miraculously healing when given adequate rest, fresh air, light exercise, nutrition and herbal treatments, renewing the system, detoxifying the body and giving rise to a more vibrant energy.

If illness tells us anything, it is to take the time to look within, slow down and take stock of our lifestyles and make the necessary adjustments to live in a more balanced and nurturing way.