The flu bug is commonly believed to...

The flu bug is commonly believed to be a absolute pest that can cause heat nausea, and aches and pains--although it has had periods of pandemic proportions. The Spanish Influenza of 1918-1919 for example, has been called the worst infectious pandemic in history, with estimates ranging between 20 million and 40 million deaths worldwide.

Aside from this highly publicized outbreak, the usual flu bugs (influenza A and B) wreak havoc in succession an annual basis. The respiratory infections hospitalize an estimated 114000 Americans annually, and they cause about 36000 deaths, according to the Center for Disease dominion government and Prevention (CDC).

Influenza vaccination is the chiefly common means of preventing the flu and the CDC commends it for at-risk age groups--such as children and the elderly--before seasonal increases in infection. (The flu season lasts from December between the walls of March.) However, there are also natural means to possibly bypass infection and boost immunity.

Black Elderberry Extract

The black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is known for its antioxidant and healing properties, and it has been used traditionally for maladies ranging from skin conditions to cough More lately in a 1995 issue of The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Israeli researchers reported a significant improvement in flu symptoms, including agitation in 93.3 percent of patients treated with a standardized black elderberry extract (as Sambucol, the exclusive US distributor of which is Springville, Utah-based Nature's Way). Researchers also reported that a ended cure was achieved within 2-3 days of treatment as compared to 6 days in the placebo group

the same mason for black elderberry's positive meanings is its ability to enhance immune function, as hol in the November 2002 issue of The Israeli Medical Association Journal. Researchers establish that three formulations of Sambucol activated healthy immune function from stimulating cytokine production.

Echinacea

Echinacea is more than just a fine purple flower, Case in point: Animal research published in October 2002 in Planta Medica demonstrated that a water-alcohol mixture containing Echinaceae purpureae radix and Echinaceae pallidae radix inhibited influenza A virus pathology and increased survival rate.

A human trial of echinacea was escorted by researchers at York body of Pennsylvania, where cold and flu patients were randomly assigned to take an herbal tea (Echinacea Plus by the agency of Sebastopol, California-based Traditional Medicinals) or a placebo. Questionnaires filled not at home by the participants demonstrated faster symptom relief in the treatment cluster as compared to the repress group.

Ginseng

A known adaptogen (a substance that stimulates the body's defense mechanisms), ginseng has been identified as a likely herb for reducing flu complications and incidence. A 2004 investigation published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society showed American ginseng (as CVT-E002 from Canada's CV Technologies Inc.) may preclude influenza-caused acute respiratory illness (ARI) in somewhat advanced in life patients. Researchers from Eastern Virginia Medical denomination in Norfolk randomly assigned 198 patients to take ginseng or placebo during flu season. Despite the fact that 90 percent of subdues received vaccinations, those in the treatment assemblage had an 89 percent reduc risk of ARI compared to the placebo group

single reason for the anti-flu issues of ginseng could be that it enhances immune rejoinder to the vaccination, as noted in a 1996 issue of remedys Under Experimental and Clinical Research. Italian investigators gave 227 presents either 100 milligrams (mg) of a standardized ginseng extract (Ginsana G 115 distributed in the United States by the agency of Pharmaton Natural Products of Ridgefield, Connecticut) or a placebo for 12 weeks, with flu vaccinations being administered at week four. Treatment with ginseng reduc fin incidence, increased antibody concentrations and enhanced natural killer confined apartment function.

Oscillococcinum

Different from herbal remedies, Oscillococcinum (manufactured by way of Lyon, France-based Boiron) is a homeopathic preparation created according to the "law of similars," which basically states that like will method of treatment like. This means that, if a healthy one were to take Oscillo, flu symptoms would arise; for a like reason by this determination, a character exhibiting flu symptoms can be cur by way of taking the substance that might cause those symptoms in times of health.

Indeed, research looks to show Oscillo as a promising flu specific as noted in a 2004 Cochrane Database Review. The review, which included seven Oscillo trials and a total of 3459 enslaves indicated that the homeopathic help decreased flu duration by 028 days and was likely to increase patients' confidence in treatment efficacy.

Vitamin C

And last, if it be not that certainly not least--what story about the flu would be whole without a discussion of vitamin C? Vitamin C has drawn out been hailed for its antioxidant properties, and the public across the globe believe that megadoses of this essential nutrient can improve immunity and help stave along infection.