From the edge of Atlanta to the outskirts of Ocala, everyone seems to be coughing, wheezing, blowing, and sniffling. Winter has arrived in the South, and along with the change in weather comes the inevitable increase in the viruses that cause colds and flu. Most Americans get between one and three upper respiratory infections a year, crowding the aisles of their pharmacies and the waiting rooms of their doctors looking for relief.
A quick look at the side effects of many of the common over-the-counter preparations makes one think that the cure is likely worse than the disease! "MAY cause nausea, vomiting, hallucinations, convulsions, headache, cardiovascular collapse and death" reads one popular cold "remedy" available in local drugstores.
So what do you do when you wake up feeling like your nose is clogged with cotton and your throat is dry and scratchy? If you have a mild illness without high fever or other serious symptoms that require your doctor's attention, Mother Nature may have just the answer for you.
Although it is known that prescription antibiotics do nothing to shorten the course of a cold, patients still often demand them from their doctors. Herbal preparations made from Echinacea
purpurea, the purple coneflower, would be a much safer choice, and more effective. Nine kinds of Echinacea grow in this country, but not all seem to be effective in stimulating the immune system to fight viral infections. The herb (above ground parts) of E.
purpurea, for instance, seem to be much more favorable than the root portion for this purpose.
A recent literature review published in the Journal of Family Practice revealed that Echinacea proved effective in reducing the severity and duration of cold symptoms in eight of nine randomized treatment trials. It does not appear to be as useful in preventing the development of cold symptoms. The recommendation is that this herb should "be taken early in the course of a cold, taken several times a day, and discontinued as soon as the symptoms
abate...echinacea should not be taken routinely, chronically, or on a preventive basis."
It is believed that the success of Echinacea in relieving the symptoms of the common cold lies in its ability to stimulate the immune system. It may also help a certain type of white blood cell, called a phagocyte, become more efficient at ingesting and destroying bacteria and viruses. It also appears to keep viruses from infecting healthy cells.
Echinacea is sold in capsules, tinctures (liquid preparations), and can be made as a tea. Botanical medicine specialists will usually recommend the tincture form because it is more stable than capsules, and because it is easy to test tinctures for freshness. A good tincture of Echinacea will cause a little fuzzy buzz feeling on the tongue! Look for good quality, standardized extract tinctures of 1:5 strength and use 1 - 2 droppers full in warm water, or about 1/4 -1/2 tsp. every three to four hours. There are no known interactions between Echinacea and other medications, but it is a good idea to let your doctor know you are taking this herb.
While Echinacea is generally safe without any major side effects, since it is a member of the daisy family, it should not be used by persons allergic to daisies. People with diseases of immune disorders such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, HIV disease, or tuberculosis should not try this herb. It can be used at lower doses for older children, however pregnant women and very small children should not use it without physician supervision.
Echinacea is only one of many natural therapies known to be safe and effective for colds and flu. If you would like more information on this topic, or have questions about other topics that you would like to see covered in future articles, please write to:
The Natural Connection
c/o Dr. Pauline Bellecci, Southeast Internal Medicine, PO BOX 777, Waycross, GA
31502, or visit www.swampdocs.com
