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background="../../images/head-back.gif" valign='top'><img SRC="/images/header.gif" ALT="" name="header" WIDTH=525 HEIGHT=76 id="header"></td> <td background="../../images/head_back.gif" align='left' width='74' valign='top'><img SRC="../../images/head-cap.gif" WIDTH=74 HEIGHT=76 ALT=""></td> <td background="../../images/head_back.gif" width='1' valign='top'><img SRC="../../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=76 ALT=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td COLSPAN=2 valign='top'><a name="content"></a> <div align='right'> <script language='javascript' type='text/javascript'>  </script> <noscript> <a href='/tellfriend.php'>tell a friend</a> </noscript> <script language='javascript' type='text/javascript'>  </script> | <a href='/print_format.php'>print page</a><br> </div><h3>Colds/Flu: CAM Therapies for Specific Conditions</h3> <ul> <li> Today, the top-selling remedy in France for flu is <strong>Oscillococcinum</strong>, a homeopathic medicine, representing 50 percent of the market. However, Oscillococcinum was not found to be effective in patients with severe flu. <br><br></li> <li> Some <strong>phytochemicals</strong>, nutrients found in fruits and vegetables, appear to be helpful for minor illnesses, such as colds. <br><br></li> <li> In conventional medical facilities where traditional Chinese medicine (<strong>TCM</strong>) is offered, it may be the most reasonable first approach for certain conditions, such as colds. Treatment with TCM generally produces positive changes within one to three months. <br><br></li> <li> Americans now use <strong>herbs</strong> for a variety of minor conditions, the most common being colds. <br><br></li> <li> <strong>Echinacea purpurea</strong> is an herb that is primarily used to prevent and treat the common cold, flu, and upper respiratory tract infections; to enhance immune system function; and to treat systemic <em>Candida</em> (a yeast-like fungi) infections. It is thought to be a transient immunostimulant. There is good clinical research support for its use in colds, flus, and upper respiratory infections, but research on other applications is more equivocal. When using echinacea to prevent cold and flu, or to relieve their symptoms, it should be taken in small doses every few hours, with a maximum length of treatment of six to eight successive weeks. Between any such treatment periods, you should abstain from taking any echinacea for at least two weeks. A typical preparation and dose is any one of the following three times a day: 0.5-1 g of the dried root, or a cup of tea made with that amount of dried root; 325-650 mg of the freeze-dried plant; 1-2 ml of <em>E. purpurea</em> juice stabilized in 22 percent ethanol alcohol; 2-4 ml (1-2 tsp.) of a 1:5 alcohol solution; 1-2 ml (0.5-1 tsp.) of a 1:1 fluid extract; 100-250 mg of the dry powdered extract of 6.5:1 or 3.5 percent echinacoside. Among the cautions and contraindications are its use in patients with autoimmune disease; with tuberculosis, leukosis, collagenosis, or multiple sclerosis. Continuous use may result in immunosuppression.</p> <p> </p> <ul> <li> Researchers have found that <strong>ginseng</strong> extract stimulates the immune system and helps prevent colds and flu. <br><br></li> <li> <strong>Ephedra</strong>, a twiggy herb, has proven valuable in treating colds. Ephedra can be dangerous for people with high blood pressure or heart disease. It may cause or worsen hypertension, arrhythmiaÕs, stroke, pheochromocythoma, thyrotoxicosis, glaucoma, nervousness, anxiety, insomnia, palpitations, hyperglycemia, and can result in death. <br><br></li> <li> Influenza patients became symptom-free more quickly than a placebo group when treated with <strong>botanicals and homeopathy</strong>. <br><br></li> <li> Classical <strong>homeopathy</strong> is considered a complete medical system, capable of addressing a wide array of health problems, such as colds and flu. </li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><em>Caution</em>: Echinacea should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy. It should not be taken if you have an autoimmune disease (such as multiple sclerosis or lupus). Echinacea may also interfere with drugs taken for immunosuppressive therapy, as well as treatments for HIV and tuberculosis, since echinacea does temporarily stimulate or enhance the immune system.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><em><a href='file:///Defiant/Users/tod/Clients/Dr. Pelletier/excerpts/index.html'>Return to Excerpts List</a></em></p> <p>From <em>THE BEST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: WHAT WORKS? WHAT DOES NOT?</em> by Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier.<br> Copyright © 2000 by Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier, Inc.<br> Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, New York.</p>  <p><br> <a href="#top">Return to Top</a></p> </td> <td><img SRC="../../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=750 ALT=""></td> </tr> <tr> <td background="../../images/nav_back.gif" valign='bottom'><img SRC="../../images/nav_bottom.gif" WIDTH=165 HEIGHT=11 ALT=""></td> <td valign='bottom' colspan='2'><p> </p> <p>Unless otherwise indicated, <script language='javascript' type='text/javascript'>  </script> <noscript> © copyright 2007, </noscript> Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier. All Rights Reserved.<br> Web Design by <a href="http://www.almost-everything.com" target="_blank"><em>Almost Everything Communications</em></a> </p></td> <td><img SRC="../../images/spacer.gif" WIDTH=1 HEIGHT=11 ALT=""></td> </tr> </table>  </body> </html>