June Russell's Health Facts

Winter Maladies: Natural Approaches

[Introduction] [Zinc Lozenges] [Vitamin C] [Echinacea]
[Notes] [Related Links]

Introduction

The average person gets about two colds per year, and those pesky cold symptoms are just the body’s attempt to heal itself. For example, when there is a fever it is there for a reason - to help burn up the toxins and bacteria. In recent years it has been shown that people who take aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen) suppress their ability to produce antibodies to destroy the cold virus. There are many natural approaches that work with, not against, the body’s attempt to heal, and can be safer as well. Here are some recommendations given by physicians who specialize in nutrition.

For a sore throat use this gargle mix: 2 heaping tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in one quart of warm water. Shake well before each use. Gargle several times using up to 1/2 cup of this mixture, and repeat as often as needed.

For a decongestant/mucolytic agent and bowel care: Lemon-ginger water: squeeze the juice of one large fresh lemon into a quart of water and add one tablespoon of freshly diced ginger root. Shake well each time before using. Drink 2-4 quarts per day. You may use heated lemon-ginger water with honey as a soothing tea for colds and coughs.

To moisturize, liquefy and clear mucus from nasal and sinus passages, use sterile, saline nasal spray (Ocean, Ayr, Nasal, etc.) or make your own.

Homemade nasal spray: Boil one cup of water. Cool, but while still warm add 1/4 tsp. salt and a pinch of soda (about 1/16 of a tsp.) to this cup of sterile water. When salt and soda are dissolved, pour solution into clean small bottles that have a dropper (many of us have leftover herbal tincture bottles). Lean head back, or lie down, and put 1-2 droppers full of the saline solution into each nostril 1-2 times a day as prevention, or 3-4 times a day if you have congestion problems. It is all right if the water runs out and you catch it with a Kleenex because the nostril has then been irrigated. Label the bottles with the date and contents and do a fresh batch as needed, at least every few weeks. You may prefer to do half of the recipe each time and do it more often, and if you put several of these bottles of nasal spray at home, work, etc., you are more apt to irrigate on a regular basis. To keep sinuses clear, avoid alcohol which can make mucous thicker.

It is important to use a vaporizer or humidifier during sleep for congestion and cough. Take a sauna, if available, and avoid dairy products (milk, cheese, ice cream, yogurt, etc.) for 10+ days. Use soy milk, rice milk or almond milk products instead of those made from cow’s or goat’s milk.

Some find relief with one or more of the following natural antibiotics which many health food stores carry:

Echinacea glycerin extract: 1 to 2 tsp./day or 3-4 freeze-dried capsules 4 to 6 times a day. Take with water, tea or juice.
Colloidal silver: 1-2 tsp. by mouth, 4-6 times a day, and spray into nostrils and/or throat, into ear canals or onto skin infections/rashes as indicated every 1-2 hours.
Garlic oil softgel capsules: 2-3 capsules, 3-4 times a day (as an alternative, you may use medium-sized cloves of fresh garlic, one clove is equal to one capsule). The cloves of garlic may be crushed with honey, molasses or maple syrup and taken as directed).
Vitamin C (with bioflavonoids): 2,000 mg every 3-4 hours (or up to bowel tolerance).
Beta carotene (pro-vitamin A): 100,000 I.U. capsules, 1-2 times a day.
Zinc: 50 mg. tablet daily (or can use zinc lozenges).
These three herbs combined can be helpful: Lomatium (St. Johnswort), OSHA (Lugusticum porteri), and USNA (tree lichen). Use 1/2 tsp. a day of each, 3 times a day in juice or water.
Others: Throat Coat (an herbal tea), Oregon grape extract, atomic Echinacea (from the lark tree), and astragalus. Be sure to drink lots and lots of water.
NOTE: For those who may be sensitive, start with smaller doses as they are introduced to the body, then gradually increase to the recommended amount. It may also help if you take them with food, unless otherwise indicated. If you are taking prescription drugs, you may need to check with a doctor who is knowledgeable about herb and medication interactions.

When an individual has influenza (flu), antibiotics are not indicated because flu is a viral illness, not bacterial. The homeopathic, over-the-counter, flu remedy Oscillococcinum, should be taken at the onset of flu symptoms. This homeopathic remedy has been proven in clinical trials to be helpful, and is safe for children and adults.

Zinc Lozenges: Effects on Colds

Although there have been studies showing a benefit when using zinc lozenges, there have been studies that have shown no effect (many of these studies used much less zinc). To increase the chance of its effectiveness, the zinc lozenges must be taken in the first 24 to 48 hours after symptoms appear, and one must suck on a lozenge every two to three hours for several days. Popping one occasionally may not do much good. To avoid overdoing zinc, take only for a few days - not more than seven days. Although zinc is reported to promote a healthy immune system, over 300 mg. a day may result in impairment, and taking citrus juice or citrus fruit before or after taking zinc lozenges may negate its effects. While zinc is safe, pregnant women are cautioned not to use it.

If you find that zinc lozenges are not effective, it may be that they will not work for that particular strain of cold virus, but may help another cold at a later time. There is now a zinc-based nasal gel that has been shown to ease the symptoms of a cold by 75 percent. This homeopathic nasal gel, Zicam, showed up to a seven-day reduction in symptoms, while zinc lozenges showed a reduction in the duration of a cold by three to four days.

It may be helpful to tape this information to the inside of a cabinet in the bathroom or kitchen for easy access when the symptoms of a sore throat, cold, flu, or congestion begin. Be sure to drink a lot of water, and avoid using alcoholic beverages which dehydrate the body and weaken the immune system.

Sources: Mitch Fleisher, MD (family physician specializing in nutrition, homeopathy and botanical medicine), Harvard Health Letter, Prevention magazine, www.webmd.com, Health Store News Research, MSNBC, Healing with Nutrition, and People’s Pharmacy (all in the year 2000).

Vitamin C

There was a recent widely reported study by researchers (Podmore, et al., from the UK’s University) in the journal ‘Nature,’ which stated that vitamin C in amounts of 500 mg. a day could cause damage to DNA. However, afterward the authors of this study retracted their findings but the media failed to inform the public of this retraction. There were many flaws in this study; there was no peer review; it lacked much information that would have influenced the outcome; the researchers only measured two of the twenty markers of free radical damage to DNA; the research with mice is useless because mice make their own vitamin C; a large body of evidence has come to the opposite conclusion; and the many individuals who have been taking megadoses of vitamin C for decades show no pattern of illness. Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg, from Tufts University and considered a world authority on vitamins and antioxidants, states that most studies show that those individuals who take 250 to 1,000 mg of vitamin C daily are at the lowest risk for health problems. Many prominent experts on vitamin C agree with Dr. Blumberg.

Recommended Dosage of Vitamin C

These following experts recommend doses of vitamin C far higher than the 500 mg a day:

Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg ( from Tufts University and considered a world authority on vitamins and antioxidants);
Jack Challem, PhD (‘The Nutrition Reporter’);
Alan Gaby, MD (author and professor of nutrition at Bastyr University);
Balz Frei, PhD, at the Linus Pauling Institute (internationally recognized expert in the role of antioxidants in heart disease prevention and author of over 100 publications in this field, as well as the recipient of several NIH grants);
Ralph Moss, PhD (author of the book “Antioxidants Against Cancer”);
Abram Hoffer, MD, PhD (author of 550 scientific publications and 50 years of megavitamin research);
Robert F. Cathcart, MD (has probably had more clinical experience with vitamin C than any scientist, and has treated over 20,000 patients worldwide with dosages of Vitamin C much higher than the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance - RDA).

Echinacea: Effects on Colds

Echinacea is known as an herbal remedy that helps ward off the common cold, lessens its severity, and shortens the length of symptoms. This therapy is widely used to enhance the healthy functioning of the immune system. It works by activating the number of infection-fighting white blood cells, which help to kill cold and flu viruses. It is the world’s most popular cold remedy - especially in Europe. Take it as soon as you experience cold symptoms. Take two 125 mg capsules three times a day (standardized to 3.2 or 4.8 percent echinacosides) or 10-30 drops of one percent echinacoside liquid extract three times a day for ten days. You should not take Echinacea for more than 14 days at a time, as it works best if only used occasionally - not on a daily basis. Minor respiratory ailments can result from over acidity in the respiratory tissues, and you can restore your acid/alkaline balance by taking one-half teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) in water 3-5 times a day during the acute phase. Taking vitamin C may help boost the immune system but if you are alkalizing your body, you will need to avoid acidic liquids, such as orange juice, and ascorbic acid (a common form of vitamin C). Instead, take 1,000 mg of mineral buffered vitamin C three times a day for the benefit without the acid-producing side effects. Also peppermint tea works wonders for aches and pains. It is a great antispasmodic and muscle relaxant, as well as healthy for the liver.
{“Catch This!” Susan Lark, MD, January 9, 2003, email newsletter}

Additional Notes Regarding Winter Maladies

Drinking alcohol causes nasal and sinus membranes to swell.
{‘Preventing Sinusitis,’ Fact Sheet, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, NIH, April 2001}