FOR COLDS AND FLUS:

From Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide : Preventing Colds and FLus: According to Michael T. Murray, N.D. prevention is the best medicine for a cold or flu. People who suffer from more than two colds a year and whose colds last longer than 4-5 days probably have a weakened immune system. The immune system can be boosted through proper diet, lifestyle, and supplement strategies, and this will help prevent colds from forming in the first place.

To enhance the immune system: adequate rest, since sleep gives the immune system a chance to recover; avoiding sugars, because sugar depresses the immune systaem; and consuming plenty of water, diluted vegetable jiices, soups and herb teas for proper hydration. HE advises taking a daily high potency multivitamin /mineral supplement.

also, wash your hands frequently to avoid spreading infection, especially from hands to eyes, nose, and mouth.

should congestion and other symptoms arise, Dr. Murray recommends applying a menthol-based( not peteroleum-based) preparation to the upper chest before going to bed. Menthol helps clear the airways and, when applied to the upper chest, may increase the blood supply to the thalamus, one of the main organs controlling the immune system. TO hlep clear mucus from the chest, he recommends a yoga posture known as " the Cobra". To perform this posture, lie on your stomach, then raise yourself up on your forearms, bending at the waist, This will expand the chest and make it easier to cough up phlegm.


Here is from Garry Gordon, M.D. Take every 3-4 hours while awake for 3-5 days:

1. Vit C: 2,000 - 5,000 mg of powedered, mineral ascorbate. IF Diarrhea occurs, make the dose smaller. I would use Electro-C from NutriBiotic.
2. Vitamin A: 100,000 IU of mycelized Vit A. Need to take wtih vit C. As long as there is no serious liver conditions, a person can safely use this 3-4 times a day for a max of 300,000 to 400,000 I.U. each day. - for a short period. Only when takes over several weeks to months is it a problem. Those problems went away when people stopped taking the vit. A.

3. GARLIC- Take in high doses time as Vitamins. This has been shown to proetect against flu viruses and to enhance antibody production. Do not heat. Take 4-6 high-quality deordorized garlic capsules 3-4 times a day.

4. ZINC- Take 180 mg of zinc gluconate (in pills containg 23 mg of elemental zinc) every two hours during an episode of cold or flu can speed recovery time. In a study involving 146 cold sufferers, those taking zinc recovered completely after an average of 3.9 days while those taking placebos took 10.8 days.

5. Selenium: According to Earl Mindell, taking 800 mcg daily of selenium for three days can help your body resist a cold. A normal maintenance dose is 50-200 mcg.

6. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) In a six-month study of 262 people ( 78% were 65 or older) already susceptible to teh Asian flu took 600 mg of NAC twice daily and 75% of those people became less susceptible to flu.



HERBS:

1. Lomatium: Amazing for flus. I use a tincture called: Lomatium Osha. I try not to go traveling without it. Osha : has been used for lung congestion.

2. GOLDENSEAL: Can relieve the inflammation of mucous membranes, which under these conditions no long can protect the body against the influx of bacteria and viruses.

3. ELDERBERRY SYRUP:

4. Echinacea, - you might find a Goldenseal-Echinacea syrup.

5. Astragalus - all around good general conditioner.

6. Elecampane: is a soothing, relazing yet stimulating expectorant for coughs and bronchial irritations

Take: teas: 3-5 cups per day.
Tinctures: 30 drops, four times a day, or capsules: two caps four times a day.

COUGH SYRUPS:

1. Look for natural expectorant syrup: Perhaps: Chinese: Loquat syrup is an expectorant for coughs with phlegm and sinus congestion.

2. Elderberry syrup is not for coughs. Need something else for the cough.


AROMATHERAPY:

Inhalations and baths with camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, peppermint, pine, rosemary, tea tree.

* organic lavendar/tea tree oil that is very good. you could rub on your chest.


ACUPUNCTURE:

See your acupuncturist. they might have tinctures, syrups that are good.