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Homeopathy for Cold and Flu Season
| Meet the Blogger | More Posts by Chris Jensen Homeopathic remedies have a long history of use worldwide, but can they really help at this time of year? And are they okay to use with immune-supportive formulas? Tune in to this encore interview for the answers and some expert recommendations. Dr. Christophe Merville is the Director of Education and Pharmacy Development for Boiron USA.
- Homeopathy comes from the Greek words homeo meaning “similar” and pathos meaning “suffering.” It was first used by Dr. Samuel Hahnemann in 1796.
- Homeopathic medicines are therapeutically active micro-doses of mineral, botanical, and biological substances. Similar to other over-the-counter medicines, homeopathic medicines can treat acute health conditions such as allergies, coughs, colds and flu symptoms.
- Homeopathic medicines are regulated as drugs by the FDA and are made according to the specifications of the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States (HPUS), which lists approximately 1,280 medicines.
- If one chops several onions in a small kitchen, one will experience symptoms such as spasmodic sneezing, runny nose and itchy eyes. All these symptoms will be improved by breathing fresh air. A patient experiencing these same symptoms, including feeling better when breathing fresh air, whether caused by allergy or a cold, will be relieved by a homeopathic preparation of the onion also known as Allium cepa. It is as if a very small amount of the onion helped the body to react better against symptoms of cold or allergy similar to those caused by the onion.
- Sometimes more than one medicine is needed for treatment. These combinations are available in a variety of dosage forms such as tablets, gels, creams, syrups, eye drops and suppositories.
- The sooner cold and flu symptoms are treated with homeopathic remedies, the better chance there is for a quick recovery and minimum disruption of lifestyle.
- Homeopathic medicines are among the safest choices for self-treatment and are generally free of side effects. They do not interact with conventional medicines or immune-building herbs or formulas.
- Many supplements or vitamins take some time to show their effect, whereas homeopathic medicines work very quickly.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in vitamins C and E. Foods containing these vitamins like nuts, seeds, citrus and broccoli are believed to help support the immune system.
- Stay hydrated. When you are feeling under the weather, drinking extra fluids prevents dehydration caused by cold and flu symptoms.
- Exercise regularly. Not only can regular exercise lower stress, but research indicates that exercise can stimulate the immune system and promotes healthy sleep.
146 Comments
Comments
Wash your hands frequently during the day.
10/31/2011 2:54:57 PM CDT
Hi,
Your every point is appreciate able.
Though I am following <a href="http://www.firmthighsandbutt.com/dukandietplan" rel="nofollow">the dukan diet plan</a>, I feel it very much. Thanks
11/01/2011 9:25:49 AM CDT
I didn't know that nuts, seeds and broccoli contributed to a healthier immune system. Thanks for the tips!
11/01/2011 9:49:23 AM CDT
Thanks, Whole Foods! I'm learning new things!
11/01/2011 10:36:45 AM CDT
I swear by using Saline nose spray as soon as I start to feel sick. Also swear by washing my hands before I eat.
11/01/2011 1:19:29 PM CDT
I'm excited to see this article on Homeopathy! It's a new topic for me and I've done a lot of reading recently. Slowly but surely building up my remedy chest!
11/01/2011 2:51:13 PM CDT
I eat loads of garlic
11/01/2011 7:18:45 PM CDT
I use natural medicines rather than chemical ones.
11/01/2011 9:43:34 PM CDT
I will try to take my vitamins everyday!
11/01/2011 10:03:17 PM CDT
I make sure I take lots of vitamin C.
11/01/2011 10:29:43 PM CDT
I take Emergen-C. It gives me the boost of vitamins I need to help fight colds.
11/02/2011 9:30:10 AM CDT
We take extra vitamin c.
11/02/2011 9:45:08 AM CDT
Eat Right, get plenty of sleep and exercise!
11/02/2011 9:52:49 AM CDT
lots of vitamins
marygardner49 at aol dot com
11/02/2011 1:35:47 PM CDT
Response Update:
We offer homeopathic remedies at Whole Foods Market as a resource to customers who wish to use them. Homeopathic remedies are safe and not harmful, and we only sell homeopathic remedies manufactured and labeled according to the standards for strength, purity and quality set by the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, as recognized by the Food, Drug and Cosmetic act and regulated by the FDA.
We acknowledge that there is disagreement in the scientific community about the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies. A growing body of researchsupports the efficacy of these remedies, and recent meta-analyses of earlier research suggest that homeopathy can be significantly more effective than placebo. Other studies have cast doubt on the efficacy of these remedies. There is a clear need for further research in this area. We are unaware of any studies which have suggested that homeopathic remedies are harmful or dangerous.
Homeopathy is a system of healing which has attracted many avowed followers in its 200+ year history. Because homeopathic remedies are safe and believed by many to be effective, we will continue to carry them in our stores.
For more information:
FDA Consumer: Homeopathy: Real Medicine or Empty Promises
Linde K, Clausius N, Ramirez G, et al. Are the clinical effects of homeopathy placebo effects? A meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. Lancet 1997;250:834–43.
Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, ter Riet G. Clinical trials of homeopathy. Br Med J 1991;302:316–23.
NCCAM Backgrounder: Homeopathy: An Introduction. http://nccam.nih.gov/health/homeopathy/.
11/02/2011 2:30:28 PM CDT
we take extra vitamin c and get plenty of rest
11/02/2011 2:50:41 PM CDT
I try to stay healthy by eating well with fruits and veggies
11/02/2011 3:53:45 PM CDT
I take vitamin C and eat lots of fruits and veggies to help out my immune system.
11/02/2011 4:11:51 PM CDT
I take lots of Vitamin C
11/02/2011 4:50:39 PM CDT
Why the bug hubbub over this type of treatment.
11/02/2011 9:04:48 PM CDT
I drink a lot of fresh vegetable and fruit juices during cold and flu season to help ward off infection.
11/02/2011 9:41:26 PM CDT
Our family drinks fresh squeezed fruit juices each morning, orange juice among them, laced with copious amounts of freshly crushed garlic to give our immune system a boost.
11/02/2011 10:19:34 PM CDT
One thing that works for me is making sure I get enough sleep and drinking plenty of water.
11/02/2011 10:44:10 PM CDT
For colds, I use salt lamps at night. If I start feeling symptoms, I use the netipot.
11/02/2011 10:55:45 PM CDT
This was incredibly informative. Great post.
11/03/2011 7:14:07 PM CDT