Lauren Feder, M.D
For many adults, interest in alternative medicine often starts with frustration at conventional medicine, particularly in response to common illnesses like colds and flus. Repeated visits to the doctors’s office to treat a common cold or flu leave patients uncomfortable with the limited options-either a course of antibiotics or over-the-counter products.
Colds are the most common reason for doctor visits and account for the majority of sick days taken from school and work as a cold can drag on for two weeks, sometimes longer. They are caused by a nose virus which is responsible for those familiar symptoms like congestion, sneezing, tearing of the eyes, sore throat, and in some cases, coughing. Contrary to popular belief, yellow-green mucous is not necessarily a bad sign during a cold. According to the Minnesota Antibiotic Resistance Collaborative, “Color changes in nasal mucous are a good sign that your body is fighting the virus.” Colds can occur any time of the year, though are more abundant during the flu season from November to March. Younger children can get as many as seven colds a year, occurring less frequently as their immune system develops with age. Healthy adults usually have two colds a year.
Flus can present similarly to colds in children, particularly in the early stages. High fever, muscle aches and pains, weakness, and exhaustion are more characteristic of the flu, considered a potentially severe illness in children since it can lead to bronchitis and pneumonia. During November to March, the height of the flu season, numerous children and adults will come down with the characteristic muscle aches, fever, and exhaustion.
Increasingly, patients are looking to avoid mercury-based flu vaccines, and many turn to homeopathy instead. Because homeopathic remedies are prescribed to the specific set of symptoms rather than a broadly labeled condition, you do not need to worry about whether you are confusing cold or flu: homeopathy will treat the symptoms as they present. Since I began using homeopathic remedies in my practice, I rarely find that I need to resort to antibiotics. In fact, it’s rare that I even need to prescribe Tylenol. Below are nine of the best natural remedies that I have found effective in fighting the symptoms of the common cold and flu.
Onion
Onion improves circulation and breaks up thick mucus and congestion, making it a great remedy for colds. It helps soften the lymph node, soothing painful swollen glands in the neck. Put a whole onion in a sock and tie the end securely, then place the sock near your nightstand, by the bed, and leave it overnight. One or two slices of onion placed on a plate by the bed is also effective.
Lemon
Lemon is good for tickle in the throat or chest, watery runny nose or eyes, sore throat, and high fevers. Lemon can be applied as a throat wrap or a throat or chest compress by lining up lemon slices in a cloth. Lemons can also be used to make a lemon foot bath or simply placed in slices near the bed to help ease breathing.
Potatoes
Potatoes draw out toxins and break up congestion which makes them useful in alleviating sore throats, coughs, headaches, neck aches, muscle pain, and chilliness. Sliced chunks of potato heated in hot water and placed around the throat and chest are an excellent source for moist heat and retain temperature longer than a hot water bottle.
Briar Rose
The briar rose herb is a home remedy that falls under the category of gemmotherapy, a branch of herbal medicine. Briar rose is useful for many conditions, especially infections of the ear, nose and throat. I use it two to three times a week during the flu season as a preventative measure, and twice a day while sick. It can be used in conjunction with any other remedy or medicine.
Black Currant
Another gemmotherapy, black currant is an excellent remedy for strengthening the constitution during the winter months, especially for adults, but also for children. It stimulates the adrenals and is good for stress and fatigue. Eat currants by the handful or mixed into a fruit salad.
Elderberry Flower Tea
This tea is known for its natural antiviral properties and the immune system support it provides against the cold and flu.
Lavender
In its essential oil form, lavender is known for its antiseptic and antibacterial properties. Packaged commercially, lavender aromatherapy baths can help soothe coughs, relieve sore muscles, and calm the nerves.
Hot Water Bottle
Bring out the hot water bottle for aches, chills, and general comfort. The Wellness Nurses suggest filling a hot water bottle half way with hot water. Carefully press any remaining air out, keep the bottle flat and cover it in thick flannel to protect the skin from burns. A hot water bottle is meant to be soothing and warming. It should not be too hot to the touch. If hands and feet are cooler than the belly, warm them first. If your face is flushed, use the bottle at the feet.
Remember to give yourself the best chance at staying healthy during cold and flu season by following the old standards for cold and flu prevention: Stay warm, get plenty of rest, and drink healthy warm fluids like ginger tea or vegetable broth. Remember to wash your hands frequently, eat plenty of garlic – a natural antibacterial – drink plenty of water, and of course, avoid unnecessary contact with people who are sick. If you or your child do your best to stay healthy but still end up with a cold or fever, don’t worry. All of these home remedies can prove quite effective in easing and even eliminating your symptoms if you come down with a flu or a cold. So before you reach for the Tylenol, give one or more of these remedies a try. You’ll be glad you did!
Written by: Lauren Feder, M.D. specializes in homeopathy, pediatrics and primary care medicine. Known for her holistically minded approach and combining the ‘best of both worlds,’ Dr. Feder is a frequent lecturer for parents and professionals and is the author of Natural Baby and Childcare and The Parents’ Concise Guide to Childhood Vaccinations. http://www.drfeder.com/.
