By Donald Findley
The most common illnesses that people suffer from during the winter season are the influenza and common cold. Although there is no cure for these illnesses the signs and symptoms can be alleviated by using herbs rather than pharmaceutical drugs. According to Dr. Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., the following are some of the herbs that can be useful to treat the common cold and influenza.
People suffering from a sore throat can use fenugreek. This remedy dates back to the Egyptians and Hippocrates. Take 20 drops of extract in 1 cup of warm water and gargle it 3 times daily. It can also be used for soothing skin irritations, nerve pain, and swollen glands. To use it for this, you need to crush the seeds and mix them in water to make a paste and apply it to the affected area. Raspberry tea can also be used, place 1 teaspoon of the dried herb in a cup of water and drink daily. Pregnant women should not use this herb (Mindell, 1992, p. 93-94).
If you are suffering from a high temperature, you can try using white willow bark. Dr. Mindell recommends this as a good replacement for aspirin; it is not as irritating to the stomach as aspirin. The normal dose is two capsules every 3 hours as needed (Mindell, 1992, p.166). Barberry is a good herb to help induce sweating to help lower the temperature by evaporation, take 3 to 7 drops in a half cup of warm water up to 3 times a day. Barberry can cause dehydration so you should drink plenty of water (Mindell,1992, p. 218).
When you are suffering from a headache and generalized muscle discomfort the white willow bark will work, take two capsules every 3 hours as needed. Feverfew is an excellent herb to use for migraine headaches and fever. You should take 1 to 3 capsules daily. Some people require taking feverfew for several months to get the relief from migraines (Mindell, 1992, p. 223). I have personally taken feverfew for migraines it had taken me about 4 months before I noticed a significant relief.
If you are suffering from nausea and/or vomiting try gingerroot tea or peppermint tea drink one cup daily (Mindell, 1992, p. 219). I have found sipping them slowly helps that way it doesn’t stimulate the nausea.
If you are suffering from diarrhea, try catnip, take 1 tablespoon in 8 ounces of water and drink it (Mindell, 1992, p. 68). Catnip also has a calming effect on people quite the opposite that cats experience. No one taking tricyclic antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil) or drinks alcohol should use catnip. Valerian and kava which are herbs used to help relax a person should not be mixed with catnip. Catnip will increase the sedative affects of these drugs and herbs (Diamond, nd).
People should always consult with their physician before taking any herbs to make sure they are safe and will not interfere with medications that they are prescribed or over the counter medications.
Sources
Mindell,E (1992). Earl Mendell’s herb bible. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster/ Fireside.
Diamond, S. (nd). Catnip. Retrieved February 11, 2011, from http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/Canada/HealthInformation/Encyclopedias/Catnip.htm#DrugInteractions
A lot of good information Donald!
ReplyDeleteCary
Thanks Cary, hope it guides people to natural ways to treat the flu this season.
ReplyDeleteDonald, I found this very interesting. I look forward to reading more! You did very well with citing your information, and did well with your grammar!
ReplyDeleteKendra McCracken
Donald,
ReplyDeleteThere is a lot of good information here. I'm still amazed by all the natural cures for things that a physician would give a prescription for. Nice job. I can't wait to read your next blog.
Samantha Cribbs
These are great home remedies. It's nice to hear about home remedies because we all don't like running to the doctor or hospital everytime we get sick. Very interesting. I like reading things like this and I am very eager to try. Well Done..
ReplyDeleteAlison
Thanks everyone for the comments you posted on my blog. I like finding alternative means of treating disorders that most people take medication for.I hope you all have gained knowlegde and will try some of the herbs that I have mentioned.
ReplyDeleteDon Findley
Donald
ReplyDeleteYour blog was very informaative. I always thought there was nothing to be done for a common cold but suffer through it. I guess that is very old fashioned. There is also tea in the super market and health food store which is Yogi Brand Tea,I think -it says for colds and another for indigestion. I tried this cold and allergy mineral bath therapy and it seemed to help some. Ruth Hall
It's good info and I definately will use it ...Like i said I don't always have time to run to the doctor.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Ali
Great info Don. As I mentioned in Samantha's blog, silver biotics is very effective in treating certain strains of illness. We always rely on herbs and vitamins to cure us.
ReplyDeleteSuzanna Harmening
Don, I've always been interesting in what you were going to come up with for this blog - ever since you said you wanted to blog about home remedies. This is a great start because you are right everyone gets sick with colds or the flu at this time of year. As a society, we rely so much on medication, and sometimes rest and more natural remedies - as Suzanna pointed out in her vitamins post as well - might be really beneficial for us. Great breakdowns here. I also found your source interesting - The Herb Bible...hmnn. Looking forward to your other posts. Nice job.
ReplyDeleteEveryone that commented,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the incouraging words of support, I hope some of the remedies that I have used and post in this blog and the next few help others that want to return to a natural path of healthing.
Don Findley