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The cold and flu season is quickly approaching. Yes, you should always follow your Doctor’s orders however sometimes you may find you want a little additional help. Before taking or using in any way any herbal product, check with your health care provider. Use products only as directed by professionals.
The following herbs are well known for their healing properties as well as their immune building properties. They have been broken down in this article in three categories, the immune system builders, the common cold and the flu. You will note, several of these herbs can be used for more than one ailment. Most herbs promote good health in more than one area.
Let’s start with the immune building herbs. Pay attention to the part of the herb used.
Astragalus (roots) also known as hung qi. Also promotes cells that fight against cancer. *Do NOT take when fever is present.
Bayberry (root bark) Also helps clear congestion, reduces fever and is good for your eyes.
Horehound (flowers and leaves) Also useful for sinus troubles, used in cough drops.
Echinacea (leaves and roots) This herb acts as an anti-viral agent. Can be taken in pill form, as a tea, in a liquid or rubbed on inflamed areas of the skin as a salve.
*Do NOT take for more than 2 weeks in a row
Goldenseal- Also acts as an antibiotic * do NOT take if pregnant of diabetic.
Next, if you find yourself coming down with a cold there are several useful herbs to relieve the cold symptoms.
Ephedra (stems) Also known as Ma Huang. Used to relieve congestion.
*People who have glaucoma, high blood pressure, pregnant or those on an MAO inhibitor should NEVER use this herb. This is one of the most controversial herbs in usage today. As with all herbal supplements, check with your health care provider before using.
Ginger (roots) Will help reduce a fever
Feverfew will help relieve headache
Slippery Elm (bark) will help ease a sore throat
Yarrow (berries and leaves) helps reduce fever, helps heal
irritated mucous membranes
*Do NOT take if anemic as it interferes with iron absorption in the body
There are more than 200 known strains of influenza otherwise known as the flu. The flu is highly contagious. If you pay attention to the news reports each winter, you will note that each year the flu takes the lives of many people. This virus can affect everyone, however those most susceptible are small children under two, those with immune system problems and the elderly. It is advisable to get flu shots every year from your health care provider.
You may also decide to use Mother Nature to fight the flu in the form of herbs.
If you find you’ve come down with the flu, there are quite a few herbs you can take to help you through it.
Echinacea, Ephedra, Ginger, Goldenseal, Yarrow and Slippery Elm as mentioned previously in the article for the immune system and the common cold.
Peppermint tea can be used for headache, nausea and poor appetite associated with the flu.
Cayenne will help your congestion and headaches. You can add the powder right from your kitchen to any food you can stomach.
As an added note, NEVER give aspirin or any product containing aspirin to a child who has flu symptoms. It is very dangerous and can produce a deadly disease in children called Reye’s Syndrome. Contact your health care provider for alternatives to aspirin.
All the information provided about healing herbs could be found through a health care provider who specializes in alternative medicines. You can also check out your local library or bookstore for herbal books that contain the above information.
Please note, the information provided in this article is not meant to replace advice given form your personal physician or health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before taking any medications that include herbs.
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