Colds and Influenza

By: Dawn Gates

       As the weather changes you will notice more people with colds and/or the flu (influenza) so what do you do to prevent and/or treat it?  The easiest thing to do to prevent the spread of a virus is to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. This is important because some virus’ can live for days on hard surfaces, such as banisters, or phones. The virus is transferred into our systems when we touch our eyes, or mouth with our hands: this begins an immune system reaction. The immune system is a complicated one and often begins with a virus entering the body through mucus passages. A healthy body then reacts to the virus by sending out interlinings and both B and T cells, which find, bind too and combat the virus. Memory B cells then stay in the body a "remember" the virus so that it can launch an attack quicker the next time the virus is encountered. These memory B cells can sometimes stop an antigen’s disease-causing activities by binding to the antigen and preventing it from interfering with the cell’s normal activities. This action prevents us from getting ill from the same virus twice.
      So what is the difference between a cold and flu? A cold is an acute inflammation of the mucosa of the throat, sinus', and bronchial tree that includes symptoms such as: congestion or running of the nose, sneezing, watery eyes, general malaise, but usually without a fever. The Incubation period is usually 12-72 hours and resolves in 2-10 days. The flu (influenza) is a more acute respiratory infection that may include chills, fever, headache, muscle aches, sore throat, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability and malaise. The incubation period is usually 1-3 days and can last from 2-7 days. People are usually considered contagious from the incubation period (when most people don’t realize they are sick) until approximately 3/4^th way into the illness (or when you start feeling better).   

Ifyou have a healthy immune system then the cold or flu symptoms can be relieved and the length of the illness can be shortened with herbs, aromatherapy, and supplements. The problem is that in our society is that many people's immune systems are depleted or almost non-existent. How do you tell if you have a compromised immune system? Well the most obvious clue is that you are catching every cold/flu that is going around. People with this condition may have night sweats or chills for no apparent reason; compromised immunity can also manifest as depression, diabetes, and or allergies. A large group of people who have compromised immune systems are people who are under a lot of stress. Stress stimulates your adrenals and releases steroidal compounds in the body. The body was not meant to be in the "fight or flight" pattern for long periods of time; when stress is constant the body wears itself out trying to stay in survival mode.  Another thing that can stress the immune system is vaccinations. Now I am not against all vaccinations, but I do believe that children are over vaccinated at an age when the immune system is not fully developed, which causes stress on the immune system. The other things that may cause a weakened immune system are a poor diet, less then 8 hours of sleep a night, and environmental pollution.
      There are several ways strengthen the immune system both with herbs and with some simple strategies. One of the easiest things to do if your immune system is not at its strongest is to get into a regular sleep pattern. Eight hours of sleep is acceptable but some people may need more. Another easy approach is to modify your diet, simple things like reducing simple carbohydrates and sugars, drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day while reducing or eliminating coffee (to stimulating to a compromised immune system). It is also important to go outside and get some exercise. A simple walk around the block a few times a week can help strengthen your body's immunity. If your immune system is compromised due to a transplant, cancer or other disease your course of action is a little different then most people.  I strongly recommend that you obtain a consult with an herbalist or alternative health practitioner that will be able to work with you and your disease taking all the variables into account.
       There are many herbs that can be used to help build the immune system; the only problem as I see it with these herbs is that they really are individual in nature. For example; not everyone should take astragalus root depending on their constitution. Some immune system herbs that are tonics include; Astragalus, reishi mushroom, siberian ginseng, schisandra berries, ashwaganda, garlic, chlorella, lemon balm, burdock root and chamomile. Most of these are tonic in nature and help strengthen the immune system on the cellular level. Some supplements that work to strengthen the immune system include: vitamins A, C (1000 mg a day), E, selenium, zinc and fish oils.
    With this years influenza virus being so intense it is important to start treating it right away if you do get it. An herb that is going to be especially helpful in treating this year’s influenza virus is elderberry. Elderberries are one of those herbs that you find in all of the old folk medicine books as a cure for many illnesses, but one of the things I think it works well for is severe respiratory infection. Elderberries are especially helpful when you have a cough, muscle aches, sore throat, and it helps to induce a fever. Elder flowers are also helpful and can be used to calm a spasmodic cough and it can help with fevers. Yarrow is also a great fever remedy that can be used for high fevers, indigestion, and headache related to the flu. Other herbs for treating colds and the flu are boneset, echinacea, garlic, ginger, peppermint, and marshmallow.
    Another way to prevent and/or help treat an infection is by using aromatherapy. For colds and influenza inhaling an essential oil can help prevent the infection from moving from your nasal cavity into your lungs. One of my favorite essential oils to use during cold and flu season is lavender oil. Inhaling lavender oil can assist in killing a virus before it gets into your system and if you do manage to get a virus into your lungs inhaling lavender oil can not only help the infection it can also open the bronchial passages to ease breathing. Lavender oil works especially well for asthmatics that get respiratory infections easily and whose simple infections turn into bronchitis or pneumonia. Other essential oils that can be helpful during a cold or flu are tea tree oil, red thyme, eucalyptus, cedarwood, camphor, rosemary, and clove oil.
   Cold and flu season are fast approaching it is best to be prepared so that when everyone else gets sick you are able to either avoid it or get over it quickly so that you can feel better fast.