Cold and flu

Health Concerns Herbalist

Alternative to Flu Shots
By Andrew Gaeddert 

Due to quality control problems at a Chiron plant in England, the entire production output slated for delivery this fall was quarantined and destroyed. As a result, there will be significantly fewer flu shots available this year. It is recommend that only certain groups such as seniors, young children and people with poor health should consider getting flu shots. Flu shots are controversial and although you might not believe in them yourself, some clients will be distressed if they are not to be able to obtain them. For these patients, Astra C offers not only cold and flu protection, but allergy protection as well. Astra C contains the traditional combination of astragalus (huang qi), atractylodes (bai zhu), and siler (fang feng) with added vitamin C and zinc. You may consider combining Astra C with Astra Isatis for even stronger preventive relief. Patients who are exposed to flu from family members, work associates, crowded businesses, air planes or public transportation should consider taking Yin Chao Jin or Cold Away before and after potential exposure.

The flu is the leading cause of Americans calling in sick to work, with 5-20% of U.S. residents contracting the flu on average each year. According to one survey, Americans miss on average 1.2 to 1.4 days of work each year as a result of the flu. The flu is most commonly spread by vapor droplets when people sneeze. Frequent hand washing and covering the mouth when coughing are primary prevention techniques.

Colostrum Outperforms Flu Vaccine
By Andrew Gaeddert

According to a 2007 study1, led by Dr. M. R. Cesarone, colostrum supplementation 900mg once per day in the morning was compared with anti-influenza vaccine in healthy subjects between the ages of thirty and eighty. Subjects were divided into four groups: those who received vaccination alone, vaccination plus colostrum, colostrum only, and those receiving no flu prevention treatment. Researchers looked at the number of influenza episodes and the number of days of illness during the two-month treatment plus an additional month. Both colostrum groups experienced significantly fewer cases of flu than either the untreated or vaccination only group. The number of days with the fl u was three times higher in subjects not taking colostrum. The second part of the study involved high-risk cardiovascular patients, all of whom received influenza vaccination. The colostrum group had fewer cases of influenza and complications that required hospital admission. The researchers concluded that colostrum in both healthy subjects and high-risk cardiovascular patients is at least three times more effective that vaccination.

Colostrum is an exceptional nutritional substance, produced by mothers for their newborn, which supports and nourishes the immune system. It provides a perfect combination of immune and growth factors including immunoglobulins, lactoferrin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), amino acids and other important nutrients.

Scientific studies have clearly shown that colostrum and nutrients derived from colostrum: improves digestion functioning, builds lean body mass, supports the immune system, improves vitality and athletic performance, stimulates the normal growth, regeneration and repair of muscle, skin collagen, bone cartilage and nerve tissue.

Health Concerns produces Colostroplex™. Each lot is standardized and analyzed to contain 25 percent immunoglobulins as well as the content of IGF-1 and lactoferrin. Colostroplex is produced from healthy, nutritionally-supplemented cows on USDA and FDA certified dairy farms. These cattle are carefully fed a scientifically-designed diet that contains the proper balance of legumes and grasses along with minerals and trace minerals to ensure consistently high potency colostrum.

  • 1. Cesarone MR, et. al. Prevention of influenza episodes with colostrum compared with vaccination in healthy and high risk cardiovascular subjects. Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. April 2007; 13(2):130-136.

Common Cold and Flu Review
By Andrew Gaeddert

The common cold is a mild viral respiratory infection. Other viral respiratory illnesses include laryngitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, croup, and pneumonia. Cold symptoms include a watery, runny nose that becomes congested, sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat, hoarseness, cough, slight fever, body aches, chills, headache, and fatigue. Colds are more common in children, as part of their immune system’s learning process, and in individuals with a weak immune system. Colds are spread by contact with an infected person. The onset of a cold usually occurs one to two days after exposure and may be signaled by an itching or sore throat, or a watery, runny nose, with other symptoms appearing later. With more than two hundred different viral strains that can cause a cold, symptoms can vary considerably. Because colds are caused by viruses, they should not be treated with antibiotics. See a health professional if your fever is high, or your symptoms are severe or have lasted more than ten days. Usually it is best to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Biomedical options include taking aspirin or ibuprofen for pain.

Symptoms of influenza, or flu, are similar to symptoms of the common cold, but flu symptoms are more severe. Flu is typically spread between people indoors, and its symptoms come on suddenly. These symptoms include fever and chills, sore throat, cough, muscle pain, fatigue, and congestion. Technical­ly, there are three types of influenza, although laypeople often refer to other viral infections as the flu. Physicians may diagnose influenza by a throat culture or blood test, which may be important if you have a particularly strong flu, if your doctor suspects pneumonia or a bacterial infection. Biomedical solutions include rest, drinking plenty of fluids, analgesics, cough medicines, and antiviral drugs. Physicians also recommend vaccines for seniors and those with a weak immune system.

Professional Treatment

• Isatis Gold™ (3 capsules every two to three hours), a strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial formula

• Cold Away® (3 capsules four to six times per day, between meals); use at the first stages of cold or flu

• Clear Air™ (3 capsules four times per day, between meals); treats chronic cough with phlegm, wheezing and bronchitis

• Ease 2™ (2 capsules four times per day) plus Power Mushrooms™ (2 capsules four times per day) are used for prolonged colds and flu lasting more than five days

Common Cough Medicines Ineffective
By Andrew Gaeddert 

The doctors group reviewed numerous medical studies evaluating cough preparations and concluded that many of the key ingredients in popular cough and cold medications simply aren’t effective in quieting coughs caused by the common cold.  This finding was issued by the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) as part of its comprehensive guidelines for dealing with various forms of coughing.

Among other findings, the group concluded that the drug guaifenesin, an expectorant found in popular brands such as Robitussin and Mucinex, is ineffective in curbing cough caused by the common cold. The drug is supposed to work by thinning the mucus and making it easier to cough up phlegm, but among four studies evaluating guaifenesin compared with a placebo, two studies showed benefit while two showed no improvement. As a result, the panel concluded there isn’t enough evidence to support its use to help cough caused by colds.

Guaifenesin is sometimes recommended by alternative medical providers to clients, for conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromylagia.  Although side effects are uncommon, this drug can cause digestive symptoms, nausea and drowsiness.  As it inhibits platelet function, it may increase the risk of hemorrhage in patients receiving anti-coagulant therapy.

The panel also considered two popular cough suppressants, codeine and dextromethorphan, which potentially work by quieting the brains cough center. Although the drugs may be effective against certain types of coughs — like those associated with cancer or bronchitis, these drugs don’t work against cough due to colds, says Richard Irwin, professor of medicine at University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester, Mass., and editor in chief of the ACCP guidelines.1 

Herbal approaches to treat cough include Clear Air which reduces cough with phlegm, and can effectively treat many patients with acute and chronic bronchitis and asthma. They are typically combined with Isatis Gold or Cold Away, formulas with a good track record at treating colds and flu. Clear Phlegm (wen dan tang) is a traditional formula used for treating phlegm disorders, and Serramend is the new Health Concerns formula clinically shown to thin mucus and effectively treat chronic ear, nose and throat disorders. Serramend was originally derived from the intestines of silkworms, but is now extracted in the laboratory. It has been safely used for over thirty years in Asian and Europe to thin mucus, making it useful for a variety of ear, nose and throat conditions including chronic sinusitis and bronchitis. It also has been clinically studied to reduce inflammation and edema. 

Notes

  • 1. Parker-Pope, T. Cold comfort: Most Cough Medicines Don’t Do a Thing – Here’s What Works. Wall Street Journal. January 10, 2006:D1.

Kids Shouldn’t Use OTC Cold Medications
By Andrew Gaeddert 

Last year, citing concerns over safety and effectiveness, experts from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended that the agency ban all over-the-counter, multi-symptom cough and cold medicines for children under the age of 6. The recommendation was long overdue, according to Ken Haller, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Saint Louis University.

“Cough and cold medicines were first approved many years ago under the assumption that children’s bodies worked like adult ones, but on a smaller scale,” Haller explained. “They were never tested for safety and effectiveness in children. There are a lot of side effects associated with these medicines.” While infant cough and cold medications were pulled off shelves last year, nearly 800 over-the counter cough and cold medications are still available for children over 2 years old – a decision with which Haller disagrees. “I feel strongly that they should all be taken off the market,” Haller said. “Numerous studies have shown that these do not make children with colds and sore throats feel better any quicker than doing nothing. And over the years, thousands of children have been hospitalized and scores of children have died as a result of taking these drugs because of their side effects and the fact that many of these drugs contain multiple active ingredients, which add up to a harmful dose.”1

In the first two years of life, it’s normal for children to get an average of six significant upper respiratory infections per year. Helpful suggestions for parents include using humidifiers, moisturizing the nasal membranes with saline drops, making hand washing a priority, and making sure children drink fluids and get adequate rest. Health Concerns has several formulas for cold and flu, including Cold Away®, a combination that contains extracts of isatis (ba lang gen, da qing ye), andrographis (chuan xin lian), wild chrysanthemum (ye ju hua) and additional supportive herbs, Isatis Gold™ an East-West blend containing echinacea and goldenseal with isatis, and Yin Chao Jr.™, a liquid formula specially formulated for children.

Swine Flu

The World Health Organization raised the influenza pandemic alert to phase 5 on its “pandemic alert” scale, meaning that they have evidence that there is human-to-human transmission of the virus that is capable of leading to a sustained community outbreak. Whether or not swine flu will become a major pandemic remains unclear — but there’s absolutely no question that everyone would benefit from measures to strengthen their immune systems to minimize the likelihood of infection.

In the current Swine Flu outbreak, New York City high-school students apparently brought the virus back from Mexico and infected their classmates. All six cases, reported so far, in Canada were connected directly or indirectly with travel to Mexico.

Flu viruses can be directly transmitted (via droplets from sneezing or coughing) from pigs to people, and vice versa. These cross-species infections occur most commonly when people are in close proximity to large numbers of pigs, such as in barns, livestock exhibits at fairs, and slaughterhouses. And, of course, flu is transmissible from human to human, either directly or via contaminated surfaces.

The situation in Mexico resembles the scenario we might expect for an outbreak of a major human-to-human pandemic in its earliest stages: A large number of illnesses among social and family contacts of victims; infection of health-care workers and patients in hospitals where the victims are treated; and the rapid spread of confirmed cases from an initial region to other countries as people infected by the virus travel while it is incubating, but before they become seriously ill.

Because they have been stockpiled for use in the event of an avian flu pandemic, large amounts of the anti-flu drugs Tamiflu and Relenza are available. However, they must be administered during the first couple of days after symptoms begin to be an effective treatment.

Treatment of Flu

Adapted from Healing Immune Disorders by Andrew Gaeddert 

Symptoms of influenza, or flu, are similar to symptoms of the common cold, but flu symptoms are more severe. Flu is typically spread between people indoors, and its symptoms come on suddenly. These symptoms include fever and chills, sore throat, cough, muscle pain, fatigue, and congestion. Technically, there are three types of influenza, although laypeople often refer to other viral infections as the flu. Physicians may diagnosis influenza by a throat culture or blood test, which may be important if you have a particularly strong flu, if your doctor suspects pneumonia or a bacterial infection. Biomedical solutions include rest, drinking plenty of fluids, and taking analgesics or cough medicine.

  • Gargle with salt water (1/2 tsp. to a large glass of water). It is helpful to alternate with fresh lemon juice (the juice of 1 lemon per large glass of water)
  • Isatis Gold (3 capsules every two to three hours), a strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial formula
  • Cold Away (3 capsules four to six times per day, between meals); use at the first stages of cold or flu
  • Ease 2 (2 capsules four times per day) plus Power Mushrooms (2 capsules four times per day) are used for prolonged colds and flu lasting more than five days
  • For coughing combine Isatis Gold or Cold Away with Clear Air (2-3 capsules, four times per day)
  • For copious mucus add Clear Phlegm (2-3 capsules , three times per day)

To prevent Flu

Take CordySeng or Astra 8 (3 capsules three times per day) with Astra C (1-2 capsules three times per day)

Colostroplex can be used by children and adults to improve immune functioning and to prevent illness. Immunoglobulin IgA coats the intestinal lining preventing attack by pathogens, L Cytokines boost T-cell activity and stimulate production of your baby’s own protective immunoglobulins. Polysaccharides bind to bacteria and block their attachment to mucus membranes. Take 1-2 capsules twice a day through the winter months.

Wind Invasion

Clear Exogenous Wind, Heat, Clear Toxins

  • Clear Heat – infections with toxic heat, inflammation, pain
  • Cold Away – TCM formula; infections with respiratory congestion
  • Isatis Gold – East/West formula; clears wind and heat; upper respiratory infections
  • Yin Chao Jin – wind-heat, early stage
  • Yin Chao Junior – wind-heat, early stage (liquid, for children and people who can’t swallow capsules)

 Adjuncts

  • Autoimmunity / Inflammation – Curcuma Flow + Power Mushrooms, EPAQ
  • Blood Flow, Inflammation, Autoimmune – EPAQ
  • Chest Congestion, Productive Cough – Clear Air
  • Chest Congestion, Thick Mucus – Clear Air + Clear Phlegm
  • Chronic Viral Inflammation – Enhance
  • Cold Dampness in Lungs – Power Mushrooms, Clear Air, Clear Phlegm, or Drain Dampness
  • Digestive Tract Symptoms – Colostroplex
  • Dry Cough – Lily Bulb Formula
  • Fatigue – Adrenosen, Astra 8, Power Mushrooms, Cordyceps PS, Eight Treasures, Marrow Plus, Shen-Gem, Astra Essence, or Nine Flavor Tea
  • Fever – Clear Heat, Isatis Gold, Yin Chao Jin
  • Fluid Congestion – Drain Dampness
  • Headache – Head-Q
  • Lung Infections – Cordyceps PS
  • Muscle Aches – Channel Flow
  • Nausea – Chzyme, Quiet Digestion or Enteromend
  • Post-Nasal Drip – Clear Phlegm
  • Prolonged Flu Symptoms – Power Mushrooms
  • Sinus Congestion – Nasal Caps 2

 Use Daily to Promote General Immunity

  • Astra 8 – tonifies lung, spleen, kidney qi. Immune and energy support.
  • Astra C – strengthens wei qi, contains Vitamin C and Zinc.
  • Astra Essence – excellent overall tonic. tonifies kidney essence, kidney yin and yang, Qi and blood.
  • Astra Isatis – chronic infections. Also, can be used short term when around sick patients or when in public spaces.
  • Colostroplex – helps stabilize gut/systemic immunity.
  • Cordyceps PS – tonifies kidney yang and lung yin. Strengthens wei qi. Relieves cough and phlegm.
  • CordySeng – strengthens lung, spleen, stomach, and kidney. Tonifies Qi and yin through fu zheng action.
  • Power Mushrooms – tonifies Qi and yin. Benefits stomach, spleen, lungs, and kidneys, and enhances immune function.
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