Holistic Medicine for Flu Symptoms & Common Cold Medicine

#1 - Stress Reduction Techniques: The Holistic Medicine Approach

Many studies have shown that stress, attitude, and emotions play a big role in immunity & flu symptoms. Stress leads to an increase in glucocorticoids (cortisol), catecholamines (adrenaline), & proinflammatory cytokines decreasing the immune systems functional capabilities. Effective stress reduction techniques, laughter, positive mood, & sufficient sleep of at least 7 hours a night can help keep your immune system operating optimally & is one of the best preventative cold medicine. Meditation, prayer, or daily diaphragmatic (belly) breathing for 15-20 minutes twice a day are a few effective stress reduction techniques that relax & balance the mind & body.

#2 - Nutrition: The Holistic Medicine Approach

A diet that is very colorful & contains many essential nutrients, antioxidants, carotenes, & flavonoids provides the body with nutrition that maintains optimal immune function. Things to avoid while your feeling sick that slow down your immune system are sugar & refined carbohydrates, diary, and alcohol; all of which can worsen flu symptoms. Carbohydrates & dairy can also increase and thicken mucus secretions, making it more difficult to expel. Adding pungent herbs to foods during cooking can help to break up mucus and also tend to be antimicrobial, such as horseradish or garlic throughout the day are wonderful cold medicine.

#3 - Supplements: The Holistic Medicine Approach

Vitamin C stimulates the immune system and is quickly depleted during an infection. Studies have shown it to be antiviral & antibacterial, as well as more effective when combined with flavonoids for flu symptoms. Too much vitamin C has an osmotic effect in the gut, causing diarrhea in very high doses. Zinc throat lozenges became popular in the 1980s after studies found that it reduced the duration of the common cold by several days. Zinc throat lozenges that contain approx. 23 mg of elemental zinc are taken every 2 hours while awake as cold medicine during a cold. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC) is used as a precursor to Glutathione, the most potent endogenous antioxidant, as well as a mucolytic, which is used to thin mucus secretions in the respiratory system.

#4 - Herbal Medicine: The Holistic Medicine Approach

Andrographis paniculata is a safe and very potent herbal antimicrobial. It has traditionally been used in Indian & Chinese medicine for colds, coughs, flu symptoms, and upper respiratory infections. A randomized double blind placebo control trial in 1999 indicated that Andrographis significantly reduces the prevalence & intensity of symptoms when taken within 72 hours after onset of cold symptoms. Other clinical research has indicated full symptom relief after 4-5 days of treatment as a flu & cold medicine. Some research suggests that Andrographis relieves cold symptoms better than Echinacea or placebo in children.

#5 - Hydrotherapy: The Holistic Medicine Approach

Multiple studies have shown constitutional & contrast hydrotherapy to decrease the frequency & intensity of common colds. Constitutional hydrotherapy uses hot water, cold water, & gentle electrical stimulation to stimulate the immune system & blood flow to tissues. Contrast hydrotherapy is the alternation of hot & cold water to help stimulate blood flow to a certain area, such as the neck & chest. Standing the in the hot shower for 3 minutes & then for 1 minute in cold water repeated 3 times will help to stimulate the blood flow & immune cells to the area. Steam inhalations ease congestion by relaxing airway passages & loosening mucus in the chest. Adding herbs with strong volatile oils, like eucalyptus, can be nice to help add some antimicrobial affect.

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