Herb Used For Infections And The Flu

Honey To Fight Coughs And Infections

Honey is a natural cough treatment. In fact, studies have found that honey is equally as effective compared to a common cough suppressant ingredient. Honey also has antibacterial properties that can fight infections.

• Spicy honey South IndiaSprinkle powdered ginger and black pepper on a spoonful of honey. Lick the spoon clean.
• Honey and shallots The Dominican RepublicFill a glass jar with honey and sliced or whole peeled shallots. Let it sit for a while to absorb. Then, eat a tablespoon of the honey three to four times a day. Some even eat the onions.
• Honey tea GhanaFor a simple remedy, mix some honey in warm water.
• Blended radish and honey The Dominican RepublicIn a blender, mix radish, watercress, and honey, preparing a couple cups at a time. Give a tablespoon at a time to help clear a cough and fight a cold.

Nourish Your Respiratory System

Already sick but want to recover faster? Andrographis might be your remedy. This herb is a very widely used medicine in both Ayurveda and Chinese herbalism. Its a wild annual shrub found in the plains of Asia that is also cultivated in the gardens of North India, where its been a household remedy for many centuries. In Ayurveda, which calls it kalmegh , andrographis is used for upper respiratory infections such as flu and bronchitis. Chinese herbalism utilizes andrographis to treat fever and headache associated with colds and flu, as well as tonsillitis, laryngopharyngitis, bronchitis, and general inflammation. Andrographis has been used for more than a dozen years in Scandinavia for reducing the symptoms and duration of colds.

At least 676 studies on andrographis have been published since the 1970s, including one from Chile that showed considerable benefits for people with colds. A group of 158 people took andrographis and measured their symptoms of headache, tiredness, earache, sleeplessness, sore throat, nasal secretion, phlegm, and frequency and intensity of cough. By the fourth day of treatment, participants noted significant decreases in the intensity of all symptoms.

A 2017 meta-analysis crunched the numbers on 33 different studies that followed a total of 71,715 patients, and concluded that andrographis appears beneficial and safe for relieving acute respiratory tract infection symptoms and shortening time to symptom resolution.

Lomatium Dissectum And Influenza

We add to this the Native American legend of Lomatium dissectum. According to the legend, Ernst Krebs, M.D. of Carson City observed that the Washoe Indians of Nevada seemed to recover quickly and avoid the plague of the 1918 influenza by taking an herbal medicine called Toh-sa.

Dr. Krebs named it Balsamea, as it smelled like balsa. It was later named Leptotaenia dissecta and then Lomatium dissectum by botanists.

Consistent with this legend, in 1995, the root of Lomatium dissectum was tested for antiviral activity at Canadas University of British Columbia. The Lomatium was found to inhibit the cytopathic effects of rotavirus.

Lomatium is only one herb from one traditional medicine among hundreds of herbs and hundreds of traditional medicines around the world. The effective inhibition of influenza by fifty constituents isolated from the two herbs in the new laboratory study from China illustrate that there are many anti-influenza herbal medicines, even besides the Maoto combination. Many of the fifty anti-influenza constituents found in Fructus forsythiae and Lonicera japonica also occur in other herbal medicines.

The evidence from these and other scientific studies from Japan and China considerably advance the level of certainty that herbal medicine can be used successfully to fight the flu.

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A Herb Widely Used For Infections And The Flu

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Herbal Remedies For The Cold And Flu

The very nature of a viral infection limits what doctors can prescribe to help you once you have a cold or the flu. There are classes of anti-viral medications that may be offered but their effectiveness has been questioned. Traditional medicines tend to focus on treating the symptoms coughing, congestion, fever, sneezing, pains and youll be instructed to drink fluids and get plenty of rest too. Basically, its about soothing the symptoms and waiting for your bodys immune system to take control of the situation.

Herbal remedies for the cold and flu work in similar ways to conventional medicines. There are immune system boosters, symptom soothers, temperature raisers, and natural sleep aides. You typically take them as either a capsule, tincture, or tea, and self-dosage can be less exact than manufactured substances.

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Herbs That Help You Protect From The Flu

Herbs are plants with fragrant properties that are used for flavouring and embellishing food for medicinal purposes. These are leaf part of a plant that is used in cooking either fresh or dried. Each herbhas their own set of health-promoting properties and is a fantastic way to add flavour and colour to any kind of drink or dish.

Winter is here, and while after a long summer you might love the cold air, it is also a season when influenza attacks a lot of people. Influenza is a viral infection that is prevalent during the winter time. Many individuals associate it with common cold because both are respiratory diseases. Although having similar symptoms, both are triggered by different viruses.The flu is very easy to spread and affects our lungs, throat and nose. Using kitchen herbs that act as an effective home remedy, we can protect ourselves during the flu season.

Drink Water And Fluids

Drinking water and other fluids is even more important when you have the flu. This is true whether you have a respiratory flu or a stomach flu.

Water helps to keep your nose, mouth, and throat moist. This helps your body get rid of built-up mucous and phlegm.

You can also get dehydrated if you arent eating or drinking normally. Diarrhea and fever , can also cause water loss.

You can stay hydrated by consuming plenty of:

Youll know youre drinking enough water and liquids if:

• you have to urinate regularly
• the color of your urine is almost clear or pale yellow

If your urine is a deep yellow to amber color, you may be dehydrated.

Its also helpful to avoid smoking as much as possible since it can further irritate your nose, throat, and lungs.

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Colds and flu are caused by viruses. These bugs cannot be killed by chemicalsnot by pharmaceutical drugs, and not by herbal compounds. The only way to tame these microbes is to motivate the bodys own immune system.

Herbal regimens to fight infection include three fundamental steps. You must boot out the invader, nourish the tissue that allowed the infection to take root, and support your immune system to prevent a relapse. And herbs that help ease congestion, fever, cough, and other symptoms can help you feel better while your immune system flushes out the root of the problem.

Best Herbs For Good Health

From the beginning of fall to the end of winter, cold and flu season abounds. Although usually harmless, the common cold can be frustrating to deal with, and lowers your immune function temporarily. Luckily there are slew of herbal remedies one can incorporate into their diet to aid in remedying the cold virus. Many of these herbs can be used to soothe a sore throat, decongest and generally feel better. These are also easy herbs to grow in your backyard or kitchen garden.

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Rinse With Salt Water

A warm water and salt rinse can soothe a sore throat. It can also help to clear mucous. Heres how to rinse with salt water:

Do not swallow the salt water. Do not allow children to gargle until they can safely gargle with plain water.

Confirmed In Clinical Application

In Asia and some countries in Europe, TCM has been proven to be effective and secure for treating influenza . Traditional Chinese Medicine subdivides influenza into cold syndrome and heat syndrome. The major symptoms of wind-cold type include severe cold, light heat, lack of sweating, headache, sore limbs, and stuffy nose. On the other hand, high fever, a mild cold, headache, sore throat, cough are the primary symptoms of wind-heat type. By relying on the concept of evidence-based medicine, several clinical trials have been conducted to verify the efficacy and safety of TCM.

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What To Keep In Mind Before Using Herbs For Flu Treatment

Always consult your physician when using natural remedies as a treatment for severe illnesses.

Remember that herbs cannot cure the flu, and herbs may still produce side effects or may carry some element of risk .

The use of herbs for flu should be carefully researched to understand any precautions and contraindications clearly.

An important consideration is that some herbs will interact with other medications for this reason, it is imperative to talk to your doctor first about taking any herbal medicine.

Always inform him or her of any medications, vitamins or herbs that you are taking.

Carefully research and select a reputable source for your herbs, and read the labels for ingredients, instructions, and warnings.

Herbal Teas That Fight Viral Infections

Before modern times, people couldnt run to their local urgent care facility, see a doctor, and get a prescription for their ailments. They depended on Mother Natures lush pharmacy of plants, herbs, seeds, and roots.

Through study, trial, and error, cultures around the world discovered herbal remedies that became the predecessors of many of our modern medicines.

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Hot Tea To Soothe Throats And Relieve Congestion

Hot liquids help relieve congestion, soothe the membranes of your throat and nose, and keep your body hydrated, which is necessary to fight viral infections. Here are some variations on soothing tea to fight colds and coughs.

• Passion fruit and onion tea The Dominican RepublicCut two passion fruit and one medium onion in half and boil them together in about 4 cups of water for 10 minutes. Strain, leaving only the liquid. Sweeten it with honey.
• Ginger tea CambodiaBoil water and add powdered or fresh ginger. Let it steep before drinking.
• Garlic tea MexicoIn rural Mexico, families prepare a hot beverage, like lemon tea, and add lots of onion or garlic. It doesnt taste the best, but it does fight infections.
• Cinnamon tea MexicoIn urban Mexico, a standard treatment for colds is hot water mixed with cinnamon and honey.
• Golden milk IndiaBring a cup of milk to a simmer, then add a teaspoon of turmeric. Mix before drinking.
• Lemon leaves MaliBoil lemon leaves and mix the hot liquid with a little sugar.

A Strong Immune System Protects One From Disease

Parmita Uniyal

Winter is the season of piping hot tea and coffee, staying curled up in your blankets and also of cold, cough and fever that threaten to ruin the joy associated with the cold months. A good immunity can help you be at the top of your health and cut risk of getting infected with seasonal flu, RSV and new strains of Covid and Omicron. The symptoms of all these viral and respiratory infections are similar and most of the people are reporting fever, cough, cold, runny nose, sore throat, headaches and sneezing. In fact, flu, RSV and Covid are together raising hospitalisation cases especially in children in US and other parts of the world.

Ayurveda recommends different herbs, foods and other tips depending on the Ritucharya to cope with seasonal changes. According to the ancient medicinal practice, winter season is divided into two spans based on the intensity of the cold. The first half is called Hemanta, with comparatively milder chill, while the other half, with a more chill, is known as Sisira.

“As we all know, winters are more or less lethargic. This feeling tends to escalate the dosha in the body with this same lethargy, the Kapha. Winters are generally believed to be the Kapha season. When it is stabilised, it brings strength to the body, while on its countermand, it causes all the winter blues in the form of cold, flu, muscle stiffness, etc,” says Dr Archana Sukumaran of Kerala Ayurveda.

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Herbal Insider Tips For Colds And Flu

• Lemon juice squeezed into your sage tea removes the bitterness.
• Sweeten your tea with sugar or honey for respiratory problems, but leave it unsweetened for digestive upset.
• Make an infusion of 1 cup of herbs and 1 quart of water. Infuse overnight in a French press and strain. Heat individual servings on the stove throughout the day when ill, rather than making an individual cup each time.
• Over-the-counter medications suppress symptoms. Taking a little time to prepare these remedies not only will help you feel better, but also aid the body in doing its job of healing itself.

RESOURCES

Herbal Remedies for the Cold & Flu Season by Rosalee de la Foret

Henriettes Herbal by Henriette Kress

Japanese Maoto Formula For The Flu

Clinical research has supported that the Japanese herbal formulation called Maoto can significantly reduce the duration and fever of the flu. A 2019 review of research from Japans Keio University School of Medicine found 12 clinical studies that measured the effectiveness of Maoto against the flu.

The researchers concluded that Maoto significantly reduced fevers and flu duration.

In one of these studies, from Japans Ohmura Hospital in Chiba, 150 patients with influenza A completed a study whereby the Japanese medicinal combination called Maoto was found to significantly reduce symptoms and influenza duration as compared to those taking Oseltamivir or Zanamivir or patients not receiving any treatment.

The research found that those patients given the Maoto had an average duration of 33 hours, versus 70 hours in the patients given no treatment, versus 61 hours among those patients treated only with Oseltamivir. The marginally shortest flu duration was among those patients given both the Maoto and Oseltamivir, at 31 hours.

Researchers from Japans Fukuoka University also found that Maoto reduces the duration of influenza.

The researchers randomly gave 28 adults with influenza either the Maoto herbal medicine, or one of two neuraminidase inhibitor pharmaceutical drugs found to reduce influenza duration.

The Maoto herbal treatment caused no side effects and was characterized as well tolerated.

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Natural Cold And Flu Remedies From Around The World

Drinking various forms of hot tea is one natural remedy used around the world to help soothe colds and coughs.

Its that time of the year when your child easily comes down with a runny nose, a cough, or a sore throat. Children everywhere get colds and coughs, and they dont always have access to a pharmacy or medical care. This becomes even more of a problem as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread. Find out what people around the world do for natural remedies to colds, coughs, and the flu.*

Get The Edge With Elderberry

Elderberry has proven to be a true superhero in the world of antiviral treatments. Research shows that black elderberry extract possesses potent immune-modulating and antioxidant properties thanks to its high flavonoid content.

But perhaps this herbs greatest claim to fame is its ability to fight the flu. Studies show that elderberry flushes the virus out of the body by inducing both perspiration and bronchial secretions. And a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 60 flu patients jointly conducted by the University of Oslo and the National Institute of Public Health in Oslo, Norway, found that people taking elderberry extract got relief from their symptoms four days earlier than their placebo-taking counterparts.

Elderberry helps protect against the flu, too. In an in-vitro study, researchers at the Hadassah University Hospital in Jerusalem, Israel, investigated the effects of a proprietary black elderberry extract against 10 different strains of the influenza virus and found that it stopped all of the strains dead in their tracks by significantly boosting cytokine production. Cytokines are non-antibody proteins that trigger the immune response when they come in contact with a virus. And unlike pharmaceutical flu vaccines, elderberry stimulates the production of the immune systems T-cells and blocks viral growth, making it effective against a wide range of influenza viruses.

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