WINTER 2005 - Using Herbal Medicine for a Stronger Immune System* With the flu and cold season upon us you may wonder what can be done to keep you and your family healthy. Are there alternatives to leaning in the direction of "off-the-shelf" drugs? Herbal Medicine can be used as a preventative to strengthen and boost your immune system. Herbs may also be used very effectively during acute conditions of the cold or flu to help speed up healing. If you come down with a cold or flu this season you may want to try an alternative form of medication versus the mainstream answers to symptom suppressions. The immune system can be strengthened using natural herbs that are readily available such as Echinacea. Echinacea is a prime example of an immune boosting herb and tonic. It can also be taken as a preventative during cold and flu season. It should be taken for 1-2 weeks followed by a 1 or 2 week break. Echinacea can be administered this way for 2-3 cycles. Echinicea should be absorbed in the form of an herbal tincture. As a preventative medicine, try a half a teaspoon up to 3 times a day. If you are starting to feel something come on, such as a cold or flu or a scratchy throat, Echinacea may be taken at a half a teaspoon up to 6 times per day until the symptoms subside. To maintain a healthy immune system, diet, lifestyle factors and nutrient supplementation also play important roles in overall health. Consuming a diet that is balanced with fruits, vegetables, whole grains and unprocessed foods, will maintain an immune system and help it to function more effectively. Eating processed foods that are nutritionally depleted can result in a chronically weak immune system with slow recovery times from illness. There are other lifestyle factors that can have a negative effect on ones immune function as well. Stress is one of the major factors that can have a detrimental effect on the immune system. People who are chronically "stressed out" have more of a tendancy towards various illnesses. It is important to develop personal skills on how to deal with increased stress so that there is more control over our health. Meditation, yoga, tai chi and basic exercises are all excellent ways to help the body deal with stress. Nutritional supplements are also another assistant toward personal preventative health measures. 1) A good quality multi-vitamin is recommended. 2) Vitamin C (in the form of ester C) is helpful as well. 3) And zinc citrate is also a good immune system supporter against stress. Here are two recipes that we recommend for the cold or flu (should you end up with it!) Antiseptic Throat Gargle Tea 1 tsp Dried Thyme 1 tsp Dried Sage 1 cup Boiling water Place dried herbs in a teapot or covered ceramic or glass container then add the boiling water, cover and let steep for 15 minutes. Strain and let cool to room temperature. Gargle and swallow as many times as needed. This tea may be kept in the fridge for 2-3 days and taken out as needed and re-heated. Garlic Honey Throat & Cough Syrup 4-6 cloves of garlic 1/4 cup raw unpasteurised liquid honey Chop garlic finely, add to honey. Let sit out at room temperature for 2-3 hours. Take 1 tsp of the liquid as needed. This mixture may be kept in a small jar at room temperature; it will keep for 2-3 days. This syrup should not be given to children less than 1 year old. *As with any medicinal applications, bodyone recommends that you fully understand the impact that herbal remedies or preventatives may have on your individual body. Please find the time to consult with your herbalist OR call us before moving forward with any self-diagnosis. Contact our Herbalist