Sniffles / Colds & Flu
Echinacea, Goldenseal & Garlic.
Sniffles contains herbs known to be helpful with common colds and flu.
EchinaceaEchinacea, also known as coneflower, is a wild flower that grows naturally in meadows and moist low-lands throughout the mid-west. While Echinacea is most commonly known for it medicinal effects, it is also a common garden plant with beautiful purple flowers. While alreay popular as a medicinal herb, the true potential of Echinacea has yet to be fully explored by the medical industry.
Health Benefits of Echinacea
There are three varieties of Echinacea: Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea angustifolia. All three varieties are used to boost the immune system and fight infections, but only the purpurea and pallida varieties have been shown to be effective.
Echinacea is thought to serve as a stimulant to the body's immune system by activating white blood cells, whereby making it more difficult for foreign bodies to infect cells. Echinacea is one of the most popular herbal remedies for respiratory infections. Echinacea's positive effects on the immune system have also been studied extensively for cancer and AIDS patients. Some researchers believe that stimulating immune function actually may cause cancers and AIDS to progress faster, while others find a disease-relieving effect from using Echinacea. Some evidence from other clinical studies appears to indicate that Echinacea may have antiviral and antifungal effects, possibly adding to its infection fighting ability. However, Echinacea's use in all of these conditions needs further study before it can be recommended.
In some European countries, Echinacea is available intravenously for add-on therapy in connection with of some types of cancer. European doctors also use an injected form to help relieve urinary tract infections. Neither intravenous nor Echinacea injections are available in the United States.
Topically, Echinacea has been used in connection with eczema and psoriasis, severe ailments for many people. It has been added to topical preparations for hemorrhoids and it is included in other topical products used on insect bites. It may also protect skin from damage due to sunlight.
GarlicNaturally found growing in the United States and many other regions of the world, herbalists everywhere consider garlic to be one of the most important and effective medicinal herbs. It has been used as both food and medicine in many cultures for thousands of years and continues its popularity even today.
The Miracle of Garlic
For many decades, people have been using garlic and garlic based supplements to prevent a myriad of health conditions including atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, flu, colds, coughs, bronchitis, gastrointestinal problems, and menstrual pain. Studies have shown that garlic can kill many types of bacteria, some viruses, a number of fungal infections, and in some cases even intestinal parasites. Additionally, garlic is also considered an effective antioxidant that can boost the body's immune system and may even help prevent certain cancers such as colon cancer.
However, garlic is best known for its favorable effects on cardiovascular health. Garlic is believed to be effective in preventing and treating high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, atherosclerosis, and respiratory infections. One study reported that Garlic was able to reduced arterial plaque formation by nearly 20% in some participlants, the benefits being most notable in women.
The primary active ingredient in garlic is alliin. Alliin is an odorless chemical that is similar in chemical structure to the sulfur-containing amino acid, cysteine. When garlic bulbs are crushed, alliin is converted into another compound called allicin which in turn produces other compounds: ajoene, allyl sulfides, and vinyldithiins. Allicin and its deratives are what give garlic its characteristic odor and many of its medicinal effects.
GoldensealGoldenseal is a native American medicinal plant introduced to early settlers by Cherokee Indians who used it as a wash for skin diseases, wounds, and for sore, inflamed eyes. Its roots are bright yellow, thus the name. Goldenseal root has acquired a considerable reputation as a natural antibiotic and as a remedy for various gastric and genitourinary disorders.
Numerous references to Goldenseal began to appear in medical writings as far back as 1820 as a strong tea for indigestion. Today it is used to treat symptoms of the cold and flu and as an astringent, antibacterial remedy for the mucous membranes of the body.
This popular North American herb grows wild in moist mountainous woodland areas. Goldenseal's long history of use among North Americans flourished after the Civil War as it was an ingredient in many patent medicines. It has been collected to the point of near extinction. Goldenseal supplies are diminishing and most is now wildcrafted, making herbal supplements costly.
Goldenseal is used in many combination formulas and is reported to enhance the potency of other herbs. Preparations have been marketed for the treatment of menstrual disorders, urinary infections, rheumatic and muscular pain and as an antispasmodic.
The active ingredients in Goldenseal are the alkaloids hydrastine and berberine. Similar in action, they destroy many types of bacterial and viral infections. These alkaloids can also reduce gastric inflammation and relieve congestion. Berberine is a bitter that aids digestion and that has a sedative action on the central nervous system.
Goldenseal works wonders in combination with Echinacea particularly at the onset of cold and flu symptoms, especially coughs and sore throats. Goldenseal, Echinacea and Zinc lozenges should be in every medicine cabinet.
Goldenseal is a cure-all type of herb that strengthens the immune system, acts as an antibiotic, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, potentiates insulin, and cleanses vital organs. It promotes the functioning capacity of the heart, the lymphatic and respiratory system, the liver, the spleen, the pancreas, and the colon.
Taken internally, Goldenseal increases digestive secretions, astringes the mucous membranes that line the gut, and checks inflammation. It also aids digestion by promoting the production of saliva, bile, and other digestive enzymes.