Your body is designed to go to war when it detects an “enemy” and your job is to provide the proper “weapons” to enable your body to fight the sickness. There are a myriad of medicinal herbs and holistic remedies from which to choose. How do you know which ones to use? Here are the top 10 natural remedies you can use to create a front line of defense to cure the common cold and flu.
Zinc- This mineral’s purpose is to promote the growth of white blood cells whose job it is to detect the invading germs and send out an army of antibodies to fight them off.
Mannatech Brand Ambrotose- These simple sugars or glyconutrients are thought to support cell to cell communication which is a necessary function in the body’s ability to fight sickness.
Mannatech Brand Immunostart- This is a colostrum product that contains antibodies which may help the body fight the cold or flu.
Colloidal Silver- An alternative medicine treatment that has been long used for its antibacterial properties. Silver was the main antibacterial agent used by doctors before the discovery of antibiotics.
Soloray Brand Super Buffered Bio C- Dr. Leo Galland, MD in his book, Super Immunity for Kids, says that Vitamin C enhances immune function and when fighting a cold “school age children (five to ten) can safely take up to 2,000 mg (2 grams) a day.” He also states that it is safe for adults to take 1,000-3,000 mg per hour. If you experience diarrhea, stop taking the it that day and resume the following day. The diarrhea will let you know that your body cannot absorb any more Vitamin C that day, but is not a reason for concern.
Albi Brand Cold and Flu capsules- A combination of herbs and immune strengthening spices that work to cut the severity and duration of the sickness. This is also an effective herbal remedy for allergies.
Soloray Brand SambuActin – This supplement is an extract of European Black Elderberry (Sambucus nigra). This is an immune enhancing berry that is full of antioxidants and has antiviral properties to help combat the sickness.
Natural Factors Brand Acidophilus and Bifidus- These friendly bacteria known as probiotics help to keep a healthy ecology in your colon and can keep the bad bacteria from taking over. According to Ann Louise Gittleman, in her book The Fast Track Detox Diet, during the Civil War, when prisoners were given “soured cabbage” which was full of these good bacteria, the smallpox death rate plummeted from 90 percent to just 5 percent.
Cod-Liver Oil – High in Omega-3 EFAs and vitamins A and D, Cod-liver oil will bolster the immune system and is good to take daily during the cold and flu season.
L-Glutamine – An amino acid that is said to be a primary energy source for your immune system and therefore an immune booster.
As you can see, all of these products give the immune system a boost in different ways to assist your own body in fighting the sickness. If a cough or a stuffy nose has already taken hold, there are some very effective holistic remedies you can use to keep these annoying symptoms to a minimum so you can get your sleep. (See Holistic Remedies for Cough and Sinus article). Although there is not a real cure for the common cold and flu, you can do a lot to give your body what it needs to quickly get well when you do catch that nasty offender.
For dosage information, consult your local healthcare practitioner or knowledgeable health food store associate. The above products also have dosage information on the packaging.
The information in this article should not be considered medical advice. The information in this article is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure any ailment. Always check with your physician before taking any products or following any advice you have read on Brighthub.com. Always consult your doctor before you start, stop or change anything that has been previously prescribed. Certain herbs and holistic remedies are unsuitable to take if you are pregnant or nursing and must always be cleared by your doctor before use.