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Cold and Flu Herbal Remedies

September 20, 2015 by Joe

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.

Filed Under: Cold and Flu

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