You do not have to have a green thumb to use herbs medicinally. Today, 30 years after the introduction of herbs in health food stores, there are dozens of manufacturers that offer herbs in single form and in combinations that can be safely used.
To combat the common cold or a more serious flu, there are 3 herbs that can help you keep your immune system balanced to ward off these kinds of illness.
As with the use of any herbs or supplements, consult a nutritionist or your physician for specific advice.
If you could stock only a few items in your herbal medicine chest, include echinacea, goldenseal and ginseng. Echinacea can help prevent the onset of a cold or the flu if taken at the first sign of either (for example, if you are sneezing, feel achey or notice the tell-tale signs of sluggishness as if you were moving through molasses).
Goldenseal is appropriate if you notice your allergies are acting up or if you feel run down. You don't want to use echinacea or goldenseal every day, but rather for a short time frame.
Gingseng is an adaptogenic, meaning it generally can be taken over a longer period of time to "tone" the immune system, helping it remain balanced and energized. Ginseng may be taken over the longer term as it is meant to be slow-acting and helps boost the immune system.
Again, rather than self-diagnose, always seek the advice of a nutritionist, physician or an acupuncturist for specific recommendations for your condition.
What to Look for
Echinacea is generally available as Echinacea purpurea, or E. angustifolia, and is also known as purple coneflower. Found in most health food stores, it is available as a tincture of either an alcohol or alcohol-free base. These are taken sublingually, under the tongue by dropperfuls.
While there is conflicting information from mainstream Western medical physicians, echinacea is a reliable workhorse for many naturopaths, nutritionists and other complementary medical professionals. Do not self-diagnose. Seek specific advice from your primary medical professional.
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine at the National Institutes of Health, research studies funded by NCCAM show that echinacea does not stop or shorten the course of a flu or cold.
However, one study funded by NCCAM suggests echinacea may be helpful with upper respiratory infections. NCCAM is continuing to study the applications of both E. purpurea and E. angustifolia for the treatment of upper respiratory infections.
Goldenseal, like echinacea, can be taken to help boost the immune system when you feel run down or you know you have been exposed to sick people.
There are formulas that combine goldenseal with echinacea as a winter's preventative for this reason. Sold in tincture form, it can be administered in an alcohol base or a glycerin, alcohol-free base.
According to NCCAM, only a few studies have examined goldenseal, and none can strictly prove goldenseal prevents colds and flu. Yet NCCAM does state that goldenseal is generally administered for the prevention of colds, respiratory and eye infections.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not use goldenseal, as berbine, an active component, can induce miscarriage or cause liver problems in a breastfeeding infant.
Ginseng in this country is generally Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng) or American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius).
Ginseng has been traditionally taken to help people recovering from illness, to prevent illness by supporting the immune system and to increase general mental and physical wellness. According to NCCAM, a few studies show that Asian ginseng has "possible beneficial effects" on the immune system.
It is available in tincture form and is often combined with other plant extracts if prescribed by an acupuncturist.
NCCAM is funding research to learn how Asian ginseng interacts with other drugs and herbs, and how it may be used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, chronic lung infection and glucose tolerance.
Common Pitfalls
Plant extracts pack a mighty punch, and it would be a serious mistake to consider plant-based herbal tinctures to be less "powerful" than pharmaceutical drugs.
Do not self-diagnose. Consult a knowledgeable physician, nutritionist or acupuncturist familiar with the herbs you are interested in taking.
Just because your brother swears by echinacea, or everyone at the office sings the praise of gingseng, does not constitute a reason for you to self-administer said herbs.
Echinacea and goldenseal should not be taken continuously for weeks on end. Gingseng is not suitable for pregnant or nursing women. All herbs have the potential to heal and harm. Please consult the appropriate health professional to benefit from these and all other herbs.
Member Comments