43 Natural Alternatives for Colds and Flu

Written By:
Pat Robinson

1. Echinacea use reduces the incidence and duration of the common cold.
2. Echinacea appears effective in preventing upper respiratory tract infections in children.
3. Treatment with Echinacea Plus tea at early onset of cold or flu symptoms was effective for relieving these symptoms in a shorter period of time than a placebo.
4. A yeast-based fermentation byproduct reduces cold and flu incidence in non-vaccinated individuals.
5. A yeast-based fermentation byproduct reduces cold and flu symptom duration and severity.
6. Daily dietary probiotic supplementation oor 6 months is a safe and effective way to reduce fever, rhinorrhea, and cough incidence and duration and antibiotic prescription incidence, as well as the number of missed school days for children 3-5 years of age
7. Long term use of probiotics and synbiotics reduce the incidence and severity of respiratory diseases during the cold season.
8. Probiotic bacteria reduce the duration and severity of common cold episodes.
9. American Ginseng is safe and effective in reducing relative risk and duration of respiratory symptoms associated with "cold and flu" in adults.
10. American ginseng is safe, well tolerated, and potentially effective for preventing acute respiratory illness due to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus infections.
11. Elderberry appears to be safe and effective treatment for influenza A and B.
12. Elderberry significantly reduces the duration of infection from influenza in a safe manner.
13. Green tea is safe and effective in preventing cold and flu symptoms, and for enhancing T cell function.
14. Green tea consumption is inversely associated with the incidence of influenza among Japanese schoolchldren.
15. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with susceptibility to influenza.
16. An herbal preparation containing echinacea, propolis, and vitamin Cin preventing respiratory tract infections in children.
17. There is evidence that vitamin Cmay reduce susceptibility to the common cold.
18. Pelargonium sidoides is a safe and effective treatment for the common cold
19. A Pelargonium sidoides extract has broad antiviral activity against respiratory viruses.
20. Homeopathic preparation has therapeutic value in the treatment of influenza-like syndromes.
21. Homoeopathic Oscillococcinum appears to have therapeutic value in influenza and influenza-like syndromes.
22. Zinc lozenges may provide an effective treatment for the common cold.
23. Zinc may inhibit influenza virus.
24. A combination of fruit and vegetable powder extract reduces symptoms associated with the common cold.
25. An extract of Baptisa (Wild Indigo), echinacea and thuja is safe and effective in the treatment of upper respiratory infections.
26. Consumption of yoghurt fermented with L. bulgaricus reduced the risk of catching the common cold in elderly individuals.
27. Chinese skullcap has significant anti-viral activity against Influenza.
28. Cordyceps contains a polysaccharide that has beneficial therapeutic effects on influenza A virus.
29. Andrographis has therapeutic activity against upper respiratory tract infections.
30. Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium bifidumsignificantly shortens common cold episodes and reduces the severity of symptoms.
31. Beet extractprotects against experimental influenza infection.
32. Cinnamon has antiviral activity against various influenza viruses.
33. Horseradishextract attenuates influenza infection (in mice).
34. Pomegranateshave anti-influenza activity.
35. Selenium supplementation may provide a feasible approach to improving the immune response to viral infections.
36. Apple pectin, citrus pectin, flaxseed mucilage, gum acacia (gum arabic), and gum myrrh inhibit viral hemagglutinin in vitro.
37. Agrimony (A. pilosa) has broad spectrum antiviral activity against Influenzas A, B and Avian Influenza.
38. Black Tea inhibits influenza virus.
39. Cranberry juice constituents inhibit influenza virus adhesion and infectivity.
40. A water extract of dandelion exhibits anti-influenza activity.
41. Maitake mushroom appears to induce the production of certain factors, including TNF-alpha, which are responsible for the inhibition of viral growth in vitro.
42. Mullein contains antiviral compounds.
43. Red Marine Algae exhibits strong HSV and Influenza-inhibiting activity.

Source: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/43-natural-alternatives-colds-and-flu