Sinus-Clearing Eucalyptus Shower, Bath and Other Uses

Stephanie is a firm believer in the healing power of showers. Hot water, steam and a little aromatherapy can make anything, and I seriously mean anything, better.  Stephanie finally took her own advice and hit the shower for an aromatic eucalyptus steam session. Eucalyptus and steam are the only things that actually made her feel better without that foggy feeling you get with meds. Not only was it relaxing but it was a whole lot cheaper, too!

Here’s how to make your own aromatherapy steam room with nothing more than fresh eucalyptus and a hot shower.

Eucalyptus is a godsend when it comes to relieving cold symptoms and healing respiratory issues. Fresh eucalyptus has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that can help kill germs and open up the airways in your nose and throat. And by combining eucalyptus with steam, it’ll help break up mucus, relieve sinus pressure and soothe nasal passages so you can breathe more easily.

To turn your bathroom into a sinus-clearing steam room, simply buy a few branches of fresh eucalyptus from a local grocery store or florist. There are a couple different kinds of eucalyptus at Trader Joe’s for cheap, but you’ll want to use baby blue eucalyptus (as opposed to the silver dollar variety) if you can find it. It’s the most fragrant and it has the strongest antiseptic properties of all the Eucalyptus.

Once you’ve purchased your branches, gather them together and tie them tightly at the base with string or baker’s twine. Then tie the bundle around your shower head. You’ll want to position it so it sits in between the wall and the stream of water, not in the water itself. Lastly, shut the door, turn on the shower and let the bathroom fill with steam.

How to take a eucalyptus shower

Ingredients

• 2 bunches fresh baby blue eucalyptus
• String or baker’s twine
• Shower

Instructions

1. Remove any plastic packaging from your eucalyptus.
2. Gather the branches together and tie them tightly at the base with string.
3. Using a second piece of string, tie the bundle around the shower head between the wall and stream of water.
4. Turn the shower on high and let the steam fill the room. Take long slow breaths until you start to notice your congestion dissipating.
5. Leave the eucalyptus in the shower for up to a week (or until it starts to dry out and fall apart), then replace with a fresh bundle.

Author Stephanie Pollard

Aromatherapy essential oils can be used in a variety of ways at home, such as in body lotions or massage oil. Eucalyptus oil, one of the more popular essential oils, is often used to ease congestion and other cold symptoms. It is said to work best when it is combined with some form of steam inhalation. Here are several common ways to use it:

1) Eucalyptus Oil in a Bath 

Using eucalyptus oil in a warm bath or shower is the easiest way to create an at-home steam inhalation. To do it, you would add two to three drops of the essential oil to your bath just before getting in.

2) Eucalyptus Oil in a Bowl of Warm Water

Another method involves adding a drop of eucalyptus oil to a mug or small bowl of hot water and standing over the bowl for a short period so that you can gently inhale the eucalyptus-infused steam.

To try a steam inhalation, you would place one to two drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl of hot water. (The bowl should be on a stable surface and out of reach of children and pets.) With your head at least an arm’s length away from the bowl, you would put a towel over your head to focus the steam.

Closing your eyes and breathing in would allow the vapor to enter your nose. Regular breaks (stopping immediately if you feel overheated or uncomfortable) are recommended, and it shouldn’t be done for more than five to ten minutes.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil, distilled from the Australian native Eucalyptus globulus tree, boasts a long list of traditional uses.  Aboriginal Australians used Eucalyptus to heal wounds, cure fungal infections, and as a fever reducer.  Chinese, Greek, European, and Ayurvedic medicine later adopted Eucalyptus as a disinfectant and expectorant.

Present day medicinal applications of Eucalyptus Oil may be seen in the majority of grocery stores and pharmacies around the world including the oil’s use in vapor chest rubs, over-the-counter cough and cold medications, sore throat sprays, topical pain relievers just to name a few. (UMMC)

In the following list, we’ll reveal the top ten health benefits and uses of Eucalyptus Oil as well as some recipes and tips on how to use this versatile essential oil.

1. Sinus Decongestant

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Use Eucalyptus Oil to relieve sinus congestion by adding a few drops of the oil to hot water and inhaling the steam.  Just remember to close your eyes the entire time your face is over the water to avoid burning them with the powerful Eucalyptol fumes.  Follow the guide provided by UMMC for the appropriate dilution ratio of Eucalyptus Oil to water.

Eucalyptus Oil may also be applied topically diluted in a carrier oil as a chest rub for extended relief of upper respiratory congestion and other symptoms.  (Check out this great recipe by Heather, the Mommypotamus!)

(Further reading: 14 Powerful Natural Remedies For A Sinus Infection)

2. Control Coughing

Eucalyptol, the active ingredient in Eucalyptus Oil can also help to control a cough. (PubMed)

Again, steam inhalation is an effective method to loosen mucus and facilitate its removal from the body.  Eucalyptus Oil chest rubs are another effective remedy for this purpose.  Also, you may want to take Eucalyptus lozenges throughout the day to manage your cough between steam treatments.

3. Joint & Muscle Pain Reliever

Prepare Eucalyptus Oil as a cream or warming balm for topical application to soothe sore joints and muscles. (PubMed)

Follow this recipe by onegoodthingbyjillee.com to make your own homemade pain relieving cream using Coconut Oil, Beeswax, Camphor, Menthol Crystals, and Eucalyptus Essential Oil.

Or learn how to make a DIY warming rub for sore muscles using Eucalyptus Oil and a few other all-natural ingredients from Mommypotamus.

(Further reading: 10 Potent Foods That Kill Pain Fast)

4. Sore Throat Spray

Eucalyptus Oil is anti-bacterial, in addition to being excellent for pain relief.  To help reduce pain and swelling of a sore throat, try this recipe for a DIY soothing throat spray, compliments of ohlardy.com using all natural ingredients including Pure Himalayan Salt and the Four Thieves Synergy Blend (essential oils of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus.)

Alternately, you can buy pre-mixed Organic Herbal Sore Throat Spray with Eucalyptus on Amazon.com.

5. Disinfecting Cleanser

Eucalyptus Oil is a powerful anti-microbial, making it ideal for preventing the spread of bacterial and viral infections, as well as for general cleaning. (Wiley Online Library)

Mix Eucalyptus Oil with Castile Soap for an all-natural disinfecting powerhouse.  Also, be sure to read How To Replace 10 Household Products With Castile Soap for more great natural cleaning tips and recipes.

Remember that pure Eucalyptus Oil can easily burn sensitive skin.  If you intend to use this antimicrobial oil topically, be certain to dilute it in a carrier oil before applying it to your skin – especially for dry, irritated, or sensitive areas.

6. Dental Anti-microbial

Anti-microbial Eucalyptus Oil is perfect for killing germs in mouth, reducing plaque, and helping to prevent gum disease. (PubMed)

Mix your own Eucalyptus Mouthwash using this great guide by BreathMD.

Also you may want to try out this DIY Eucalyptus Toothpaste recipe, compliments of simplegreensmoothies.com.

6 tbsp Coconut Oil
6 tbsp Pure Aluminum-Free Baking Soda
25 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil
1 tsp (approx.) Stevia powder

1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  (Jen Hansard of simplegreensmoothies.com recommends whipping the ingredients together with a SmartStick to get a good creamy toothpaste texture.)  Then pour the mixture into a resealable glass jar and store it in your bathroom cabinet until it’s time to brush your teeth.

Because coconut oil is solid at room temperature, you may need to use a butter knife or popsicle stick to get your homemade paste from jar to toothbrush.

Remember that Eucalyptus Oil is toxic if swallowed in large enough quantities.  For this reason, oral care products containing Eucalyptus oil are not recommended for small children.

(Further reading: 24 Baking Soda Uses & Why You Need It In Your Home!)

7. Immune Stimulant

Eucalyptus Oil is known to increases phagocytic activity, meaning that it can be used to boost the immune system. (PubMed)

If you’re concerned at all about getting sick during cold and flu season or if you know you’re going to be exposed to people who may already by carrying a bug, prepare yourself with Eucalyptus Oil by itself or with the Four Thieves Synergy Blend (essential oils of Clove, Cinnamon Bark, Lemon, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus.)

Aromatherapist KG Stiles of kgstiles.com recommends using Eucalyptus as an inhalant or in your diffuser to deliver the healing vapors directly into your circulatory system via the lungs.  For more information on using Eucalyptus Oil for immune support, check out her expert article on the topic.

8. Asthma Relief

Due to the anti-inflammatory properties of Eucalyptol, use of Eucalyptus Oil has been studied and confirmed to be effective in the treatment of Bronchial Asthma. (resmedjournal.com)

Use Eucalyptus Oil either by inhalation or in a diffuser to help reduce inflammation and clear congestion from airways.  Again, it is important to remember that Eucalyptus oil is toxic when taken internally.

Please Note: No herbal remedy is meant to take the place of prescribed medications.

Always consult with your doctor first before using herbal remedies containing Eucalyptus to treat Asthma as this oil is known to have adverse interactions with some Asthma medications.

(Further reading: 8 Ways To Purify Home Air Naturally So Your Family Can Breathe The Healthiest, Cleanest Air Possible)

9. Insect Repellent

Eucalyptus Oil can be effectively used either as an area treatment or as part of a topical insect-repelling spray. (EPA R.E.D. Facts)

Try out this All-Natural Bug Spray Recipe using Witch Hazel as well as essential oils of Citronella, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, and Peppermint.

For more all-natural insect-repelling ideas, be sure to read up on these 13 Natural Ways To Keep Mosquitoes Away and 22 Natural Ways To Repel Insects.

10. Aroma-therapeutic

Last, but definitely not least – Eucalyptus Oil provides a wonderful aromatherapy experience.  Eucalyptus is refreshing and powerfully stimulating.  Use Eucalyptus Oil in your diffuser or create scented room fresheners by adding a few drops of oil to a hanging object.  This oil is perfect for boosting concentration and keeping your energy level elevated.  Use Eucalyptus Oil on a rainy or cloudy day to clear the fog and lift your spirits.

(Craving more essential oil goodness?  We’ve got you covered with 50 Magical Ways To Use Essential Oils To Improve Your Life around the home, at the office, and even in your car!)

Precautions

Use of herbal remedies may have side effects.  Herbal remedies frequently interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications and these interactions can be very dangerous.  Before using any herbal remedies containing Eucalyptus, it is strongly recommended to consult with a medical professional, especially if you are prone to seizures, liver or kidney disease, low blood pressure.

Always consult with your doctor before using Eucalyptus oil to treat asthma.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using Eucalyptus oil.

Eucalyptus oil is toxic if swallowed in large enough quantities.  Adults should exercise caution when using Eucalyptus oil for oral care.

Eucalyptus oil or products (chest rubs, salves, etc) should not be applied to children under 6 years of age.  Also, children should not be allowed to use eucalyptus oil for oral care.  Eucalyptus oil lozenges should not be administered to children under 6 years of age.  When in doubt, consult with your pediatrician before using eucalyptus oil or products containing eucalyptus to treat children. (Source: UMMC.)

Janice Taylor

 

5 Natural Ways to Prevent Colds and Flu

 

The cold and flu season is upon us and with it, the risk of catching said flu if we’re not careful. It’s estimated that on average around 200,000 people get the flu and are hospitalized as a result. Yet it’s possible to prevent or even stop the symptoms of cold or flu from getting worse with a little know how. Best of all this can be done naturally by receiving the right nutrients that can support the immune system. Here are just five of the best techniques…

1. Eat plenty of foods with anti-viral properties. This includes foods like Cinnamon, Garlic, Ginger, Lemon, Oregano and Turmeric amongst others. All of these can be drank as teas, added to foo or taken as supplements. Turmeric is excellent because it contains Curcuminoids, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have been shown within studies to fight viral infections by blocking the interaction between the virus and the host cells.
2. Add more Vitamin C. The immune system can be boosted by adding more Vitamin C into the diet. This is because Vitamin C attacks the nucleic acid of the virus and the antioxidant properties fight the bacteria within the body until they’re gone. Good sources of Vitamin C includes oranges, red peppers, kale, broccoli, grapefruit and Vitamin C. Yet one of the best ways to ensure you are getting enough is to supplement using a Liposomal form of Vitamin C.
3. Eat Lightly. By eating less foods, this can help the immune and digestive system to focus on removing the virus, without having to spend time focusing on digesting foods instead. Good choices include fresh juices, soups, steamed veggies and salads. All of these are ideal options as they provide the body with the nutrition it needs, without having to work too much at digestion. It’s also important to avoid cold drinks and foods where possible, to prevent the body from having to work too hard at maintaining a normal temperature.
4. Avoid Starchy Carbs and Dairy Products. Grains and foods that contain dairy, corn, soy, meat or sugar are best avoided as these can create an inflammatory response within the body. Once these foods are eliminated, it’s possible for the body to naturally start healing itself. But it needs to be free of the foods that are causing it internal damage and upsetting the stomach for this to happen.
5. Drink Hot Liquids. Drinking tea can help with relieving nasal congestion and preventing dehydration. Hot liquids can also soothe any inflamed membranes lining the nose and throat. If you are congested so much that you can’t steep at night, then a cup of herbal tea can help. Good herbal teas to consider drinking include Echinacea, Ginger, Peppermint or Turmeric.

Finally…

Take a good probiotic as this can support the immune system. An effective probiotic supplement for restoring levels of gastrointestinal micro-flora that may have been compromised from taking antiobiotics, medications, a poor diet, stress or any digestive abnormalities.

Robert Redfern

Immune Boosting Shot an Alternative to the Flu Shot

When our bodies are stressed during weather changes, family vacations or during a time you are exposed to crowds of people carrying germs, it is a good thing to keep your immune system in mind. The best way to avoid the flu is to have a strong immune system. Eat right and drink water, exercise, get enough sleep.  The flu shot is deceptive marketing at its best. No one is flu shot deficient. What we need is to learn how to beat disease God’s way!

Please be a natural healthcare advocate, and share this information with your loved ones. It’s the only way to spread truth…

By taking this immune boosting shot, you can help keep away those pesky viruses. Who will complain about taking a dose of delicious raw honey in the morning? Plus, some pumpkin spice is nice – it gives the immune boosting shot a nice flavor.

Immune Boosting Shot

Ingredients

• 1 packet Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C
• 1 teaspoon raw honey
• 1 teaspoon unrefined coconut oil
• 1-2 drops Immune Boost Blend Essential Oils*
• ¼ teaspoon organic pumpkin pie spice
• tiny pinch pink Himalayan sea salt

Instructions

1. Mix together in a glass bowl and enjoy twice daily at the onset of a cold, or once per day for prevention.
2. Wash down with pure, filtered water.
3. Be sure to not use for more than two weeks at a time.

*Immune Boost Blend:

1. Equal parts Cinnamon, Clove, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Orange and Lemon Essential Oils

Dr. Eric Z

Cold Remedies

Cold and Flu Remedy #1: Cayenne: Sore Throat Solution

When I get a sore throat, I mix a half-teaspoon of cayenne pepper in six ounces of water and drink it. Does wonders. — Kevin, via Facebook 

Whenever anyone in our family comes down with the flu, a cold, or a sore throat, my wife Connie sprinkles cayenne pepper in chicken soup. The warm liquid helps thin mucus, provide nutrition, and combat inflammation; and the spicy pepper clears sinuses and eases congestion.

Cold and Flu Remedy #2: Stop Colds With Vitamins and Herbs

I can stop a common cold in 24–48 hours with a cocktail of vitamins, minerals, Echinacea, and other herbs. More recently I’ve added vitamin D3 to my supplement program. Perhaps I’ll have less use for my anti-viral cold cocktail in the future. — W.S., Seguin, TX

Supplements to the rescue! Echinacea and vitamin D are both great remedies for colds and flu because they help boost the immune system. Dosages vary with Echinacea so use as directed. For optimal protection this cold and flu season, keep your vitamin D3 blood levels in the 50–80 ng/mL range. For most people that requires 2,000–5,000 IU daily.

Cold and Flu Remedy #3: Honey for Coughs

Instead of pricey and ineffective cough syrup, I use a teaspoon and a half of honey at bedtime. It’s safe, all natural, and it really works! — Sarah K., Bethesda, MD 

Great suggestion! My only caveat is not to give honey to children younger than one.

Cold and Flu Remedy #4: Ginger Tea Eases Cold and Flu Symptoms

When I was younger, my mom used to always give us ginger tea when we came down with cold or flu symptoms. It tasted good and always seemed to “fix” whatever was ailing us. — Louise B., via email

Your mom was on the right track. The reason this ancient Chinese remedy for colds and flu is so satisfying is because ginger improves symptoms by stimulating perspiration and warming the body from the inside. A nice, hot cup of ginger tea will keep your respiratory tract moist and has the added benefit of quelling nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Cold and Flu Remedy #5: Oscillococcinum to Ward Off Symptoms

After reading about Oscillococcinum in your newsletter a few years ago, I gave it a try. What a find! Now, whenever I feel a cold or flu coming on, I immediately reach for a vial of this amazing product. Even my very conventional husband can’t deny the effectiveness of this homeopathic remedy, asking me where the “little white bumpy things” are whenever he has a sore throat or runny nose. I don’t know how it works, but it clearly does. I can’t tell you how many colds we’ve fended off over the years. It’s the one therapy that is in my medicine cabinet year round! — K.B., Erie, PA

Oscillococcinum is one of my favorite remedies for colds and flu. Though researchers have yet to identify precisely how this homeopathic remedy works, when taken at the first sign of flu its effects are amazing. In a study of 487 flu patients, recovery within 48 hours was significantly greater among those who took Oscillococcinum, compared to placebo. Packaged in individual doses of little pellets that dissolve under the tongue, it is easy to take, has a pleasant taste, and like all homeopathic remedies, is gentle, safe, and nontoxic. You can find Oscillococcinum in drug stores and health food stores.

Cold and Flu Remedy #6: Eucalyptus Oil for Upper Respiratory Congestion

I have reaped the benefits of cheap, effective eucalyptus oil to prevent upper respiratory infections. I used this oil for five days, and rather than weeks of a lingering cough, I am restored to health. It cost me $5 as opposed to $20 for antibiotics. And I have plenty left over for the next time. — I.H., Canada

Eucalyptus oil has been shown to reduce inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and help loosen mucus due to colds and flu, asthma, and sinusitis. For nasal congestion, sprinkle a few drops onto a damp washcloth and hold it over your nose. For deeper relief, put a few drops in boiling water or a steam humidifier and inhale the steam for about 10 minutes.

Cold and Flu Remedy #7: Halt Coughing With Vicks VapoRub

Have you ever had a cold with a nasty cough? You can’t sleep because of the coughing?  Good old Vicks VapoRub can help! Rub the soles of your feet with a good amount of Vicks. Put some heavy socks on, snuggle up in your bed, the cough will stop and you can rest. My Granny used to do this to us kids when we were little. I am 72 years old and still use this remedy. I have told many people about this and they swear by it. It works much better than cough medicine. — Phyllis W., via email

I can’t offer any scientific reason why this would work, but you’re not the first reader to share this cold and flu remedy. Give it a shot, it’s worth a try!

Cold and Flu Remedy #8: Cool Mist Humidifier for Sore Throats/Coughs

Whenever my kids have a cough that keeps them up at night, I put a cool mist humidifier in their rooms and it really helps. — RSG, via email 

Keeping the air moist helps lubricate dry nasal passages and scratchy throats, so it’s a perfect solution for nighttime coughs for people of all ages.

Tried-and-True Cold and Flu Remedies

I truly appreciate and enjoy reading all of my reader’s remedies for colds and flu. The age-old standbys still apply as well: get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, load up on vitamin C, and you’re sure to be back in the pink in no time.

Now it’s your turn: Which natural cold and flu remedies work for you and your family?

Dr. Whitaker

Natural Sore-Throat Remedies

 

While there are lots of over-the-counter medications that can treat aching throats, there are also countless home and natural remedies to sooth the soreness for those who prefer more organic health care or just can’t make it to the pharmacy. Since it can often be difficult to separate the scientific fact from fiction, we’ve compiled a guide to the everyday affordable materials that have been shown to relieve the pain and wipe out early infections.

Licorice Root

Also known as “sweet root,” this perennial herb, commonly grown in southern Europe and Asia, has been used in medicine for thousands of years. Licorice is known to soothe and coat sore throats, and helps eliminate phlegm and mucous in the nose, throat and lungs. A 2009 study found that gargling with a licorice and water mixture gave patients with post-operative tracheal tubes less severe sore throats than those who gargled with just water.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is a staple food when it comes to being sick, but it turns out it is good for more than its comforting taste. Research suggests the chicken and vegetable combo helps reduce upper respiratory cold symptoms, including soothing sore throats.

Apple Cider Vinegar

This brown liquid is thought to have antibacterial properties that can help fight the infection causing sore throats. The acidity of the vinegar decreases the pH of tissue, which helps prevent bacteria from growing on its surface. Raw apple cider vinegar also has the prebiotic inulin, which may increase your number of white blood cells and T cells, and boosts your immune system.

Honey

Mixing warm water, honey and lemon is a time-honored tradition to treat aching throats in many households. A 2007 study from Penn State University found that honey was as effective as dextromethorphan, the active ingredient in over-the-counter cold medicines, at relieving cough symptoms, and was rated more favorably for symptom relief during sleep.

Other Options

Slippery Elm
The bark of this North American tree is often used to treat gastrointestinal disorders, skin ulcers, coughs and sore throats. More specifically, the tree’s mucilage – a sticky, gelatinous substance that contains protein and polysaccharides – has a demulcent effect, meaning it coats tissue and reduces pain and inflammation. Slippery elm is most often taken in the form of lozenges.

Pelargonium Sidoides
While the mechanism is unknown, this African geranium species is antibacterial and has been shown in clinical trials to reduce cold symptoms ranging from nasal congestion and headaches to fever and sore throats. The plant is a major component in many cold medicines, including Umcka ColdCare.

Garlic
This bulbous plant is antimicrobial, says Dr. Asher, and therefore potentially useful in treating early-stage sore throats. Unfortunately, scientific studies haven’t linked directly linked the two, and you risk having horrible breath.

While these treatments can be useful in relieving pain, they can’t cure more serious infections like strep. Dr. Asher suggests making an appointment with your physician if you see white patches on the back of your throat, are so sore you can’t eat or drink anything, or have a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for longer than two days (less time for children).

Katherine Bagley

3 Top Supplements for Cold And Flu

 

There is an endless list of natural approaches which people use to prevent or treat colds and flu, but not all have clinical evidence behind them. The following supplements, however, have shown an ability to help prevent or shorten a cold in most studies, and, in the case of vitamin D, to even reduce the risk of flu and pneumonia when it is used to correct a vitamin deficiency. In each case, you need to take the right supplement, at the right time, and in the right way to have the best chance of success. As I have said on the Dr. Oz Show in the past, you don’t always get what you want with dietary supplements, but my top picks, based on ConsumerLab.com’s latest tests, are listed below.

 Echinacea

Echinacea has a long history of use for treating respiratory infections. It’s not well understood how it works, but several studies show that echinacea can help you get over a cold faster and reduce symptoms.

Dr. Oz’s top picks are:

1. Swanson Superior Herbs Elderberry Echinacea Goldenseal Immune Complex
2. Gaia Herbs Echinacea Supreme Liquid
3. A. Vogel Echinaforce

You need to be extra careful when choosing supplements with echinacea. Some herbal formulas list echinacea as part of a “blend” or “proprietary formula,” but fail to specify the amount or type of echinacea. All three of the products above list the right amount of extract from the types of echinacea which have been well studied.

The Swanson and Gaia products have also been checked by ConsumerLab.com to be sure they’re not contaminated with heavy metals, microbes and chlorinated pesticides. They also include ingredients, such as elderberry in the Swanson product, which may further help with colds. The A. Vogel product has not yet been tested by ConsumerLab.com, but a clinical study published after we completed our tests found it to reduce the number of cold episodes and their duration by 26% if taken throughout the cold season.

You should start using echinacea at the first sign of a cold, taking a total of about 900 mg of extract divided into two or three doses per day for one to two weeks. Echinacea should not be given to children under 12 and has not been well studied for use by pregnant or breastfeeding women. People taking immunosuppressants or with progressive systemic diseases like tuberculosis or multiple sclerosis or autoimmune conditions should consult a doctor before use.

Zinc
Zinc can be helpful for colds in two ways: First, your immune system needs zinc, so you want to be sure you’re not deficient – which is not uncommon in older people. Second, when taken as a lozenge, zinc works on the throat and can reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms. However, when used to treat a cold, zinc has to act directly on your throat where it may kill viruses. Just swallowing or even chewing a zinc supplement defeats the purpose. In fact, getting too much zinc may actually reduce your immunity.

ConsumerLab.com found the following three supplements contained the zinc they claimed without unwanted contamination from lead, a heavy metal which sometimes contaminates mineral supplements. Cold-Eeze has been clinically tested and found to work, providing 13.3 mg of zinc per lozenge and proper instructions on how it should be used. The ZAND lozenge has about half the zinc as Cold-Eeze, although it includes herbs which may be soothing on the throat. The last product is a zinc pill which would only be appropriate for treating zinc deficiency diagnosed by your doctor.

1. Cold-Eeze Homeopathic Cold Remedy
2. Zand Lemon Zinc Herbal Lozenge
3. Vitamin World Chelated Zinc 50 mg

The Cold-Eeze lozenge should be taken at the first sign of a cold and allowed to dissolve in the mouth every two hours during the day. The lozenges should not be taken one after the other like candy, and should not be used for more than a week because the total daily dose of zinc is fairly high and would be unsafe if taken for too long. Note that recommended dosing may be different for children and pregnant women.

Vitamin D3
Taking vitamin D3 is unlikely to help people who are not deficient in it. However, when vitamin D3 is given to people who are deficient, which is the case for as much as 40% of Americans, it does amazing things including reducing the risk of the flu and respiratory infections, including pneumonia. You’re more likely to be deficient if you don’t get out in the sun much (or if your extremities are totally covered with clothing or sunscreen when you do) and don’t consume much dairy or other foods with vitamin D. People with dark skin, the elderly, and those who are obese are more likely to be deficient.

You also don’t want to overdo it with vitamin D and, unfortunately, our tests have found some popular supplements to contain as much as 80% more vitamin D3 than listed. ConsumerLab has found the following to contain what they claim, plus, the dosage is moderate, they’re easy to take, and they cost just one to three cents per day.

1. Vitacost Baby D3’s (400 IU per drop)
2. Source Naturals Vitamin D-3 Drops (400 IU per drop)
3. Spring Valley (Wal-Mart) D-3 (1,000 IU per soft gel)

The Baby D drops have no taste and it’s easy to add one or two drops (400 IU to 800 IU) to a food or beverage. By taking vitamin D with food, particularly those with fats or oils, you increase its absorption by as much as 50%. For people who normally don’t get enough vitamin D, 400 IU to 1000 IU daily may be needed year-round, and even higher amounts may be required to initially get levels up, such as 2,000 IU per day for several weeks – but check with your doctor. Ideally, your blood plasma level of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) should be 20 to 30 ng/mL. Each 100 IU should boost your level by 1 ng/mL, although, if you are obese, 200 IU is required for the same rise, as vitamin D is fat soluble. There is growing evidence that some of the benefits of vitamin D start being lost as levels rise past 35 ng/mL and may not be safe above 50 ng/mL. People with hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria as well as heart disease should be particularly sure to consult their doctor before use.

More details about echinacea, zinc, and vitamin D supplements, including test results for many brands not mentioned above, are included in ConsumerLab.com’s online reports, which you can access for a limited time with 24-hour pass for Dr. Oz viewers at ConsumerLab.com/DoctorOz.

Questing the Effectiveness of Tamiflu

 

Even though this year’s flu season is rapidly drawing to a close, I want to share some recent developments regarding popular antiviral medications. That way you are prepared when the next round of flu begins.

Year after year, Tamiflu continues to be a goldmine for the pharmaceutical company Roche. This single drug garnered sales of $3.4 billion in 2009, the year of the H1N1 (swine flu) “epidemic,” and governments around the globe have been stockpiling it ever since.

Tamiflu’s claim to fame is that it decreases the duration of flu by an average of 21 hours (symptoms typically last about a week) if taken in the first 36–48 hours of illness, and it is widely believed to reduce the risk of pneumonia and other complications, hospitalizations, and flu transmission.

But does it? For years, researchers from the Cochrane Collaboration, a highly regarded, independent organization that analyzes medical research, and the British Medical Journal (BMJ) have been trying to obtain key studies that validate these claims. But despite promises, Roche has not delivered, and BMJ editor-in-chief Fiona Godlee called the company on the carpet.

She pointed out that eight of the 10 clinical trials that supposedly support the effectiveness of Tamiflu have never been published, and the other two—both funded and authored by Roche—“could not be relied on.” She further states, “Billions of pounds of public money have been spent on it, and yet the evidence on its effectiveness and safety remains hidden from appropriate and necessary independent scrutiny.”

Now, another review of the data, which was presented in a series of articles published in the BMJ earlier this month, concluded that Tamiflu and Relenza (another antiviral flu medication) had only marginal benefits in terms of treating influenza. Tamiflu only reduced flu symptom duration by about 17 hours but had no effect on hospitalization rates or pneumonia. Furthermore, Tamiflu increased nausea and vomiting. Relenza reduced symptom duration by approximately 14 hours and had fewer side effects than Tamiflu, but again, no effect on pneumonia was noted.

Still the pharmaceutical industry continues to sing the praises of Tamiflu and Relenza to treat influenza. As far as I’m concerned, until these companies can cough up proof that these drugs, which can cost upward of $100 for 10 capsules, really work, we should all save our money.

5 Ways to Treat the Flu Naturally

If drugs don’t work, then what? Here are five suggestions to bolster your immune system and treat the flu naturally.

1. Take 2,000–5,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.
2. Use a minimum of 1,000 mg of vitamin C per day.
3. Get plenty of sleep. (Eight hours a night is ideal.)
4. Think zinc. Aim for a minimum of 30 mg daily balanced with 2 mg of copper.
5. Try oregano oil, 450 mg one to three times per day at the first sign of infection.

Now it’s your turn: What natural methods do you use to treat the flu?

Dr. Whitaker

Got the Flu? Here’s What To Do.

 

It’s hard to turn on the news these days and not hear about how devastating this flu season has become. The media is quick to point out that those who haven’t gotten the flu shot are partly to blame, and that everyone should still rush out and get the vaccine because it’s not too late.

So why is the flu so much worse this year than others? Well, there are a few reasons. One, in the wintertime, it’s hard to get our daily dose of vitamin D because most of our time is spent indoors. Vitamin D is essential for healthy immunity and to prevent colds and flu. And speaking of indoors, spending too much time inside—sneezing and coughing on each other—is also a culprit. Finally, the flu virus thrives and actually travels farther when humidity levels are very low—and this has been a particularly dry winter for much of the country.

For reasons I’ve talked about before, Dr. Williams does not I don’t recommend the flu vaccine because there are better ways to prevent the flu. But even so, nothing is fool proof, and getting the flu is always a possibility—even with the flu shot (which, by the way, is only about 62% effective this year). So what if you are one of the unfortunate ones who does become infected with the flu?

First, avoid going to the ER unless you really are experiencing truly serious symptoms, like shortness of breath or severe vomiting (which can lead to dehydration and could warrant IV fluids). ERs are overrun with flu patients right now, so unless you’re in seriously bad shape, it’s likely that you will be sent home. Instead, call your regular physician first and make an appointment if he/she wants to see you.

Second, start on a supplement program designed to lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness. This includes elderberry extract, eucalyptus oil, vitamins C and D, and AHCC.

Finally, get plenty of sleep (which is not that hard when you’re sick!) and drink plenty of fluids.

It may not seem like it at the time, but you will  feel better within a week, maybe even less time if you follow this supplement program diligently.

Now it’s your turn: What have you been doing to prevent the flu? And what supplements have you taken to shorten its duration?

Dr. Williams