With the weather changes amidst this winter season, many have experienced a cold or flu. This is especially true if kids are involved. Usually when a virus hits us, there is not much medicine available. Sometimes if you catch it quickly enough, a doctor could prescribe Tamiflu. But that is only within a 48-hour window of the onset of symptoms. And that only works on the flu virus strain. There are herbal Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulas available from a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist as well. However, people may not realize this option is readily available to them.
This is important to note, since licensed acupuncturists are one of the few licensed herbalists in the country, and the only one in the state of Texas. And taking herbs and supplements can be a commonplace practice amongst those who care about health and wellness. But it is important to consult and discuss herb usage with those who understand the mechanisms of herbal medicine. This is also why it is highly recommended to discuss herbal remedies with a professional or herbalist who knows the difference between and treatment solutions in taking certain herbs. One of the obvious reasons is to make sure there are no counter-indications for certain combinations of herbs, medications, and medical backgrounds.
Herbs are indeed helpful and medicinal in treating the body. But there are specific herbs and herbal formulas to be taken when you are suffering from a cold or flu and some to avoid. The herbs touted for boosting the immune system are not to be taken while sick. Let me say that again, when you are fighting the cold and flu, you are not supposed to take echinacea, astralagus or other immune boosting tonics during that time. The best way to describe this is the function of those herbs are an internal rotation of energy building up the body's strength - kind of like lifting weights and building up muscle mass. However, when a virus or bacteria attack the body, the focus isn't on building up within. It is trying to release and let go of the foreign invaders.
Immune building herbs are supposed to be taken when you are over your illness, and to build up the body's immune system over time, up to several weeks and months potentially. When you take those herbs when you are sick, it doesn't have the effect you want and people end up thinking that those herbs are ineffective. Not true, you just need to know when to use them properly. Herbs are medicine and follow specific mechanisms. Building up the body's immunity is a different action to warding off a virus or bacteria attacking the body and causing the typical symptoms we know and hate.
However, another situation can arise if a viral infection, like a cold or the flu, lingers too long to the point where a bacterial infection can set in. Or maybe you ended up catching a sinus infection, an upper respiratory infection or even bronchitis. Once this occurs, an antibiotic may be needed. While herbs can be effective against bacterial infections too, they can also take longer due to their gentler and more natural quality. Antibiotics tend to end up being very strong - so strong that they take care of the infection and then wipe out a decent population of friendly bacteria in one's GI tract. It is part of why you might have a gastrointestinal discomfort while taking antibiotics.
After a run of antibiotics, taking probiotics can get your healthy gut bacteria to flourish again. This “garden” is your first line of immune defense - studies have shown that the majority - well over 70% - of the body's immune system is in our GI tract. If you are one of the unfortunate folk to have a digestive reaction to antibiotics, you want to make sure that the good bacteria return and promote regularity. Being regular means having a bowel movement every day. Any less than that and you are technically constipated. It makes sense, since if you eat every day, then you should be letting go of the waste every day.
If you are like me and dislike yogurt, you can be rest assured there are plenty of probiotic options out there! However even if you are lactose intolerant, yogurt and other fermented dairy probiotics are easier to digest. I found a great dairy-free alternative, which is drinkable and pleasant tasting. The brand is called Good Belly and they offer many different juice flavored blends. They even provide convenient concentrated "shots" (containing 20 billion probiotic cultures per serving) to take on the go. But honestly, there is nothing wrong with yogurt, kefir and even the Yakult drinks. And you don't have to wait to get sick to take Probiotics either! Maybe you feel like you need to improve the function of your digestive system (did the constipation remark above give you pause?). Chronic inflammation, especially related to gastrointestinal discomfort of bloating, gas, cramping and some skin conditions can be improved with regular use of Probiotics.
To sum up, remember to discuss herbal use with a licensed herbalist. They would love to discuss your interests in herbal therapy, and help make sure you take them safely and at the most convenient times. If you end up needing antibiotics, please take Probiotics once your prescription is complete. This way you can be back in optimal health with a tiptop immune system. Consider taking probiotics on the regular if you find you need more support, not just after treatment for an infection. And finally, if you suffer from chronic colds and coughs, you can benefit from immune boosting herbs, such as echinacea and astralagus - just be sure to take them once the illness has passed.
