When you are ill, it is best not to come into the office but call or email us and see which remedy is best for you. The remedies we offer are more effective than acupuncture for colds and flu and it is best for you to stay home and rest. We can mange the herbal diagnosis over the phone or email and have additional herbal formulas available for you to pick. Even better is to have these formulas at home ready to use at the first sign of a cold/flu. All Chinese formulas mentioned in this article are tested 15 times for contaminates and quality.
There are a number of anti-viral and anti-bacterials we use at our office to prevent, shorten and acutely treat colds and flu common in the fall and winter. Here is a list of the common ones that are used with directions and dosing guidelines. Dosages are very important, as insufficient dosing is the main cause of treatment failure.
With the first sign of a cold/flu this is the best time to address the cold or flu.
Once you come down with major symptoms it a longer task to address the sickness. It is best to start treatment as soon as any symptom appears. A slight tickle in the throat, slight headache, beginnings of a sore throat, pain in the sinus, queasiness and nausea can be a sign that you about to come down with a cold or flu.
In addition to Chinese herbal formulas, we are excited by the response we have seen with German biologicals for colds and flu. They can be used for those who don’t respond well to herbs or have digestive issues that make their absorption a problem. The Biologicals are extremely effective in activating your immune system to fight the cold/flu and direct it’s action directly to the part of the body most in distress. Many of our patients find them helpful in preventing colds and flu as well as treating acute symptoms. In a severe flu we often suggest their usage with Chinese formulas and Garlic to best support your immune system.
Those familiar with the excellent results of SyAllgen for treating and help eliminating allergies will be pleased to know that SyImmune pills, lotions and nasal spray are equally effective in addressing colds and flu. We can inform you in detail at your next appointment on how best to use them.
Remedies
Lonicera complex
Lonicera complex is a general remedy for cold and flu. It’s principle ingredients have been used in Chinese herbal formulas for thousands of years. It has proven effective for viral and bacterial infections. It can prevent and shorten the duration and severity of a cold or flu. The company we use test extensively for quality and purity.
With the sudden severe onset of a flu or cold I recommend strong dosages of this formula for 24 to 48 hours. A typical strong dose (adult body weight 160 to 175 lbs.) would be 5 pills every two to three hours (do not wake up to take dose if asleep) for an adult for the first 24 hours, in extreme cases longer. If after 24 the symptoms are reduced in severity, reduce to three pills 4 to 5 times a day. If there is little effect you may need to add the herbal ENT, Cinnamon Combination, German Biological or Garlic to the formula. Call or email the office for advice on these additional remedies for further information see below.
Lonicera with a mild onset
Malaise and moderate symptoms you can do 3 pills every three to four hours.
If you are improving after 24 to 48 hours you will need to continue to take Lonicera throughout the illness, three pills three to four times a day. When symptoms improve take two to three pills two to three times a day for five days after you feel fully recovered. This will prevent a relapse.
If you are not improving after 24 to 48 hours you may need additional formulas to help get through the flu or cold. A cold or flu that settles in the chest will need additional formulas. You will need to call the office for advice.
Lonicera Complex can also be used for prevention of colds and flu. When those around you are sick or when you fly try taking 2 to 3 pills 1 -3 times a day depending on severity of the exposure.
Garlic
Garlic has powerful anti viral and antibiotic effects. Don’t underestimate garlic, it can for some people be the herb of choice. You can add it to the above Lonicera formula one pill three times a day to enhance the effects of lonicera. Some people cannot tolerate garlic and have digestive complaints with its use, if this is the case for you, stop taking it. If your symptoms are severe: headache, sore throat, fever, body aches, running nose, etc. you can take as much as three pills three times a day or as much as your digestive system will allow.
Herbal ENT
The ENT represents ears, nose and throat. This formula can be added to Lonicera and garlic when there are heat symptoms present in these areas. Those are high fever, severe body aches, headache, yellow or green mucous and severe sore throat. This formula adds stronger antibiotic and antiviral herbs. If you are prone to sinus or ear infections with colds and flues you can add this to lonicera and garlic right at the start of a cold or flu. I would suggest 1 to 3 pills of Herbal ENT taken with the lonicera depending on the severity of heat symptoms. Green mucous is a stronger heat symptom than yellow mucous.
RESPITROL (CF)
Often with patients prone to lung ailments the cold/flu will eventually end up in the lungs. In Chinese Medicine this represents a deepening of the illness and increases the recovery time. With a cold that includes a DRY COUGH we add Respitrol (CF) to any of the remedies above. A dry cough is the first sign that the lungs are struggling and often results in a secondary bacterial infect in the lungs. RESPITROL (CF) can stop the cough, loosen up mucous and clear the lungs. Whenever taking any of the formulas above and a dry cough appears RESPITROL (CF) can be used to good effect.
Cinnamon Combination
Whenever Lonicera or Herbal ENT is not working, consider the use of Cinnamon Combination. Your illness may be cold (rather than hot) in nature and it may respond better to a warming formula rather than the cooling formulas of Lonicera and Herbal ENT. Call into the office if you suspect this is the case and we can discuss your condition and determine the right remedy.
These formulas are just a few that I use for colds and flues. Each person is unique and each illness is as well. So, it is best when possible to call in and talk to me or email the office and we can fine-tune the dosages of these formulas. If the cold or flu settles in your lungs, additional formulas will be needed. Call the office whenever the lungs become involved.
As a general principle, any time a formula is not working, or another symptom appears, or your condition is worsening CONTACT THE OFFICE and we will discuss with you other options. If you have an adverse effect from the remedy or you feel it makes your symptoms worse, stop taking the remedy and call or email the office.
The suggestions above are just the most common remedies we use, there are others too numerous to list we can use as well to help you return to health.