Colds & Flu

Initially, the symptoms of a cold and flu are difficult to distinguish – you may feel achy, fatigued, headachy, and have a stiff neck and shoulders. You may also sneeze, get a stuffy nose, develop a sore throat, and/or start to cough. The main distinguishing characteristic is that the flu will commonly be accompanied by a fever of 100-102⁰ F (which is rare with a cold), and fatigue will be more pronounced. Symptoms may hit faster and harder, and typically last longer. [Note that “the flu” is often commonly used to describe a gastrointestinal illness, when in fact it is a respiratory illness.]

Although Western (Allopathic) medicine has no “cure” for colds and the flu, there are herbs and homeopathics that can stop the symptoms in their tracks and help you feel better immediately, if you take them at the initial onset of symptoms. It’s best to have them available in your medicine chest so that you can take them as soon as possible.

Once symptoms have progressed, homeopathics and herbs can shorten your illness and relieve symptoms, but it won’t help as much as when you intervene early. Once you have developed fluid in your lungs, over-the-counter herbs are not the ones you should be taking; you need to see an herbalist at that point for a prescription, though it is fine to continue to take homeopathics if they are helping.

If you tend to get chronic colds, flu, and/or bronchitis, there is probably something stressing your immune system, such as allergies, sleeplessness, or stress. Herbs can be taken in advance of cold and flu season to strengthen your immune system.

My Recommendations:

If you are getting frequent colds and flu, or they seem to last unusually long, see your health care provider to rule out more serious underlying conditions; unusual patterns in routine illnesses can indicate a different problem.

Don’t eat dairy, peanut butter, bananas, or any other food that you notice increases your phlegm.

Don’t drink alcohol while you are ill; it depresses the immune system and is one of the worst things you can do.

Don’t go to work or school. You will feel better faster if you rest the first few days.

Soups are nutritious and the hot fluid will help loosen phlegm. Herbal teas will also loosen phlegm (the heat and fluids, but there are also specific herbal teas for colds and flu). At least drink hot or warm water to loosen phlegm.

Hot showers and breathing steam may also help relieve symptoms. Moist heat compresses will also help.

It’s better to get phlegm up and out of your body instead of suppressing it in the lungs. Don’t swallow it, as it will circulate back to your lungs (in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine).

If your symptoms progress past the initial stages, see an acupuncturist for treatment and herbs.

If you are severely ill and/or are in a high-risk category (if you have a depressed immune system, you are elderly, or you have diabetes, asthma, heart disease, or are pregnant), see a health care provider immediately since the flu can be life-threatening for some people, and antiviral drugs can be administered within the first 24-48 hours. If you get severely dehydrated you may also need IV fluids and monitoring. A severely sore throat could also be caused by strep throat or tonsillitis, which also should be treated with drugs. You may need to be evaluated for bronchitis or pneumonia if you are coughing up a lot of phlegm and/or it is colored instead of clear (although prescribed herbs may clear these symptoms up.)

Reduce your chances of catching a cold or flu by washing your hands frequently, eating a healthy diet, avoiding sugar and processed foods, and getting regular exercise. A Neti pot (to rinse your nasal passages with a saline solution) may also be helpful if you have frequent colds or sinus infections.

Disclaimer: The Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated these statements. Information on this web site is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare professional. The products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases or, medical problems. Nutritional benefits may vary from one person to another.