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Influenza and Colds

Newsletter Winter 07-8

IN THIS NEWSLETTER

Latest about flu vaccine

Treating Influenza and Colds
Homeopathic remedies for flu and colds
Natural Remedies for flu and colds

Seasonal Recipe: Chestnut Paté

Latest news about flu vaccine

flu jab A recent report in the well known medical journal, the Lancet, indicates flu vaccines have not been proven to prevent any flu-related deaths in people over the age of 65.

No studies have conclusively proven that flu vaccination prevents flu-related deaths among the elderly, according to the review, and some of the support for the vaccine is based on poor quality data.

While studies have shown some benefit for the flu vaccine in younger adults, only a small number of trials included people over the age of 70, even though about 75 percent of flu-related deaths are in that age group.

Flu vaccines may make the illness less serious, but they don’t always prevent infection. The evidence also indicates that flu vaccines are less effective in older people, because they have lower immune activity. (This suggests to me that boosting the immune system should be a priority.)

A different report, in 2004, showed that although immunization rates in people over 65 had increased 50 percent in the previous 20 years, there had not been a consequent decline in flu-related deaths. This report was based in the USA.

I am not recommending you to use, or not use, the flu vaccine. I am simply offering you this information.

Read the original report in The Lancet,
Infectious Diseases, October 2007, Volume 7,
Issue 10, Pages 658-666.

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Treating Influenza and Colds

Boosting your immune system is a complicated business.There are dozens of different components to the immune system in your blood alone, including T-cells, B-cells, Natural Killer cells (NK cells), macrophages, leukocytes, monocytes, interferon, gamma globulin, and interleukin! Like to understand it better? Contact me for a FREE copy of my information sheet ‘Your Wonderful Immune System’.

Remember flu and colds are VIRUSES so antibiotics, even herbal antibiotics, will not be effective. Use anti-virals.

Eat well and avoid excess sugar, it reduces the effectiveness of white blood cells.

Stay warm enough, but take some exercise if you can.

Keep up your fluid intake, especially water.

Protect against stress. High stress levels are probably the single biggest influence on our immune system, because adrenalin and corticosteroids inhibit white blood cells.

Wash hands frequently

Natural remedies listed here are widely available, or contact me to buy here.

Always read the label, and check for health warnings.

Contact me for FREE information about Bird Flu.

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Homeopathic Flu and Cold Remedies

homeopathy for colds and flu Suck the tablets, one at a time, 15 mins away from food.

For more detail see How to Take Homeopathic Remedies.

Gelsemium 30C.
Homeopathic Gelsemium 30 is the most popular flu remedy. Symptoms include feeling weak, drowsy, achy, catarrhal; heavy eyes and head; shaky; hot and cold.

Some homeopaths recommend it for prevention, too, alongside the conventional measures of your choice.
- One dose a month if you are nervous about flu.
- One dose per week if flu is around.
- One dose a day if certain you have been in contact, max. 1 week.
If you get flu, one dose 3-4x day but consult a homeopath for more individual prescription.

Aconite 30C
Ideal at the start of a cold or flu, when it begins suddenly, often after getting chilled. Symptoms include feeling cold or burning hot, restless, anxious.
Take 3 doses in 24h.

Bryonia 30C
Especially for chesty coughs. Symptoms include painful chest and head, thirsty, hate to move, irritable and want to be left alone.
Dose, one dose 3-4x day. Consult a homeopath for more individual prescription.

Eupatorium Perfoliatum 30C
Classic flu remedy with symptoms including intense aching in back, limbs and bones, chilly, shivering, headache, nausea, may have a cough.
Dose, as for Gelsemium.

Influenzinum 30C
A nosode, that is, a homeopathic attenuation from the germ itself.
Used as a preventive, dose as for Gelsemium.

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Natural Flu and Cold Remedies

Echinacea.
Safe for all the family – kids 6-12 years, half dose, or children’s preparations are available. Tastes nice! Immune booster: activates white blood cells, and boosts killer cells. Increases interferon to fight viruses. Antibacterial both internally and externally.

Used for prevention, adults 5 drops a day, and treatment: Research shows Echinacea is effective in reducing severity of cold symptoms, and improving time between infections.
Avoid in auto-immune conditions, or if taking immuno-suppressants.

Beta Carotene (pro-Vitamin A)
This increases the numbers of white blood cells, including killer cells; so does vitamin A, especially when combined with vitamins C and E. It is also essential for healthy mucous membranes, one of our first lines of defense. A short course of vitamin A is often advised for children with measles. Carrot juice contains lots of vitamin A; small amounts with water are good during a fever. Large amounts may make you feel nauseous. Avoid with blood thinning medication; avoid in pregnancy or if you are a smoker.

Elderberry.
Proven remedy against flu, and is an anti-viral. Elder is used both for prevention and treatment, relieving symptoms and shortening the duration of influenza. Elder also boosts our immune system generall, increasing sweating during fevers and regulating temperature control. It soothes mucous membranes, reduces catarrh and is a natural anti-inflammatory.

Try Sambucol Elderberry Syrup or Higher Nature Echinacea with Black Elderberry, or an Elderberry tincture. For children, Sambucol Syrup for Kids: tastes nice, dilute a bit.
Higher Nature Immune C contains vit. C, zinc, elderberry, cats claw and bilberry.

Lysine.
An amino acid; research shows it protects against, and treats, cold sores. In effect, Lysine starves the coldsore virus. 500mg once a day for prevention, 3x day for treatment. If using long term, take a break every few months. Take on an empty stomach.

To apply externally to cold sores, try Lemon Balm cream, Propolis, Echinacea or Witch Hazel.

Garlic.
Potent anti-viral as well as anti-biotic. Can be used for prevention and treatment of colds and flu: research backs its use for prevention.

Use fresh garlic or take a high-allicin supplement – not just garlic perles. Try Viridian, Higher Nature, Lifeplan or Natures Aid.

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Mushroom Anti-oxidants
Viridian’s extraordinary Mushroom Complex contains several mushroom extracts, containing a wide range of powerful anti-oxidants. These mushrooms contain protective nutrients: anti-oxidants and immune stimulants. Results include enhanced activation of macrophages, B cells and killer cells, and increased production of interferon.

Contains Coriolus, Maitake, Shiitake and Reishi mushrooms, with other protective nutrients including Quercetin, Acerola Cherry, and Beta Carotene.
Avoid with warfarin or similar anticoagulants; avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding.
Avoid with calcium channel blockers, synthetic oestrogens and immune suppressors.

Olive leaf
Antimicrobial, with action against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites. Especially known for its antiviral activity: Olive Leaf interferes with viral amino acid production, and helps prevent virus replication and penetration of cells.
Take as capsules or drops.

Oregon Grape
Contains Berberine, a powerful anti-microbial with a very wide range of action against bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Oregon Grape can also prevent adhesion of bacteria to mucous membranes, eg. bladder, throat. It encourages the activation of white blood cells and the lymphatic system (spleen).

Take as capsules. Oregon Grape is similar to Goldenseal which is now an endangered plant.

Vitamin C.
You can use Vit. C for prevention and treatment of cold and flu symptoms. During colds or flu, a 500mg dose every 1 or 2 hours for two days, reducing to 3x day. Ester C and other low acid forms will reduce acidity to stomach.

Vit C helps protect against stress, which damages the immune system. Vitamin B+C combos are especially helpful in dealing with stress or times of change.

Zinc.
Zinc is essential for virtually every aspect of immunity. Zinc has direct anti-viral action; research shows benefits in the duration of the common cold. Zinc helps release vitamin A, which is beneficial for healing infectious illness.

Available as lozenges tablets or capsules: lozenges can be taken frequently for the duration of a cold. For children try Natures Plus Kidzinc or Higher Nature sublingual zinc powder.
Do not exceed recommended doses for more than one week. Best taken away from high fibre foods for optimum absorption.

Warnings: In pregnancy and breastfeeding, always take advice. There is little research in this area. Anyone with an immune system compromised by transplants, immuno-suppressants, or HIV, should take qualified advice. If you have any medical conditions, or take any medication or other supplements, please check the suitability of anything you buy, or use the Natural Health Answers REPORT for individual guidance.

Note: The use of potent anti-microbial agents in Candida can cause a ‘die-off’ response known as ‘Herxheimer’ effect, a flu-like reaction due to the sudden release toxins from the destroyed organisms.

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Seasonal Recipe:

Chestnut Paté

chestnuts A rich, tasty, seasonal rough paté to add to your autumn/winter table. If you are a meat eater, you may be surprised how satisfying this is! Good on crackers, toast, or with raw vegetables to dip. I like it in sandwiches too, with some salad. Vegetarian; vegan if no butter added.

Serves: 4 for a snack or 2 for a light meal.

Store: about a week in the fridge.

Choosing Chestnuts

For this recipe I recommend pre-cooked, whole, vacuum packed chestnuts that have no added salt or sugar. They are available variously in boxes or tins. These store well and can be used all year round. Of course, if you can cook and peel fresh chestnuts, the recipe is ten times more delicious. Do not overcook before peeling – stew peeled chestnuts gently in a minimum of stock to finish them.

Chinese chestnuts are becoming more widely available, and while they are delicious and cheap, do try to find some that use less air miles. Unless you live in China!

Chestnut nutrition

Chestnuts are remarkably different from all other nuts, and are an outstanding food source. They are primarily complex carbohydrate (36% when fresh); low in protein; very low in fat; low in sodium; free from gluten, oil and cholesterol; high in fibre.

Fresh chestnuts have reasonable quantities of vitamin C. Chestnuts are a useful source of vitamin E, vitamins B1 + B6, folic acid, potassium and magnesium.

The protein is very high quality, comparable with eggs and is easily assimilated by the human body.

3 oz/100 g cooked chestnuts contain 170-200 calories (compare this with 5-600 for most other nuts). So in this recipe, the chestnuts contain about 340 cals. The other ingredients must be considered.

How to Make Chestnut Paté

200g cooked chestnuts

Mash with the back of a fork, for a varied and slightly rough texture. They may jam your blender anyway. Put on one side.

Separately, soften these in a little oil or butter:

Half medium onion, very finely chopped

Half stick celery, very finely chopped

Now add these and stew gently 5 minutes:

1 finely grated medium carrot

1 fl. oz red wine

1 tbs balsamic or other vinegar

zest and juice of half a lemon

teaspoon sugar or honey, or more, to taste

Season quite strongly so a little paté will go a long way. Remember flavours are not as strong when chilled. Add to taste:

Salt and pepper

Any fresh herb you wish

Chilli, or hot smoked paprika

I recommend more butter at this point, to enrich the paté and help it set when cold.

Add all ingredients to mashed chestnuts and stir well. It should be just moist enough to stir. Taste to check seasoning. Pack into a pretty bowl, cover and chill. Better after a few hours.

Variations:

Go rich, with rosemary and port wine.
Go light, with added grated veg and lots of parsley.
Try dill seed and chervil or parsley.
Add finely chopped dried fruit such as apricots; soak them first.
Make a spicy one with extra chilli, cumin seed, onion seed or other spices: but don’t kill the taste of the chestnuts.

Chestnut fans can find lots of links on the net, try these:

www.nzcc.org.nz/ fabulous recipes like Orange Chestnut foccacia bread and Spicy Chestnut wontons

www.utc.edu/Faculty/Hill-Craddock/chestnutlinks.html

http://members.iinet.net.au/~cdibley/chestrec.html#NUTRITION

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Let me know any up-to-date news to add.
Thanks! Helen Swan

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