Herbal Remedies For The Flu - Part 2

Garlic is an herb which has been shown to decrease the growth of viruses within the body. Garlic also has some antibacterial properties and has shown great promise in the treatment of acne. Garlic capsules are available at the health food store or the pharmacy and should be taken as directed. (2)

When sick, many people enjoy the hot steamy properties of tea. By combining 1 teaspoon Bayberry bark, 1 teaspoon grated Ginger root, half teaspoon cayenne powder in a cup of boiling water you can also help to improve your symptoms of the flu.

Cats claw has also been found to shorten the duration of the symptoms of the flu and improve the way in which an individual feels. Cats claw can also be combined with Echinacea in order to boost the body’s immune system and prevent the growth of virus within the body. (3)

Research studies have been done on elderberries which show that it has antiviral properties, meaning that it helps to prevent the growth of a virus within the body. Based on the research, which was done on black elderberries, manufacturers produce a product called Sambucol which is available at the health food store and online. (4)

Anise is an herb that has been shown to stimulate mucus secretion in the lungs and throat. Beneset is an expectorant.

Be careful about the herbs that you choose to use during a cold or the flu. Check with an herbalist or health food practitioner to ensure the safety of the products you are using. Do NOT take any herbal medications when you have other underlying medical conditions that may be adversely affected, such as pregnancy, diabetes or asthma, unless you have a clearance from your pharmacist that they will not cause adverse side effects. Although herbal supplements are ‘natural’ they also work much the same as any other supplement or medication in the body. It is possible to have an interaction with other medications or an adverse reaction with your own body.

References:

(1) University of Maryland Medical Center: Influenza

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/influenza-000062.htm

(2) Microbes and Infection: Antimicrobial Properties of Allicin from Garlic

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10594976

(3) National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Cat’s Claw

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/catclaw

(4) European Cytokine Network: The Effect of Sambucol, a Black Elderberry-Based, Natural Product, on the Production of Human Cytokines: I. Inflammatory Cytokines

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11399518