http://www.power-nutrition.com/healthy%20eating/coldremedies.html
ECHINACEA AND GOLDENSEAL
An old physician's saying declares a cold usually lasts about seven days if you treat it, and about a week if you don't. Nonprescription cold remedies, including aspirin, decongestants and cough suppressants, may relieve some cold symptoms but will not prevent, cure, or even shorten the duration of illness. Herbs such as echinacea and goldenseal are promising to "cut the time you'll suffer from symptoms of cold or flu." Are these promises valid?
Some studies of echinacea have shown it fights head colds and related ailments by increasing the number of immune cells in the blood. It also enhances the cells' ability to destroy harmful bacteria. If you've been exposed to someone with a cold or the flu, echinacea is a good preventive measure to take. Also, if you feel the first signs of a cold coming on, take your echinacea. While it may not prevent a cold, it may shorten the length of a cold and lessen symptoms.
All of the studies agree that echinacea almost never causes side effects. However, take echinacea only when you need it, not as a general preventive supplement. The body becomes less responsive to it after a period of about eight weeks of use. Look for echinacea augustifolia or echinacea purpurea (or a combination of both) and take as recommended on the label.
Note: Because echinacea can affect the immune system, people with autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and scleroderma should not take it. The herb could potentially stimulate adverse effects. Pregnant women and those with diabetes or multiple sclerosis should also abstain, or consult with their physician first.
Goldenseal is another matter. According to respected herb expert Varro Tyler, PhD, it works well as an antiseptic for sores in the mouth, but doesn't increase the immune system function. It's active ingredients don't get past your stomach walls to do it's work.
Line Tamer said:
ECHINACEA AND GOLDENSEAL
An old physician's saying declares a cold usually lasts about seven days if you treat it, and about a week if you don't. Nonprescription cold remedies, including aspirin, decongestants and cough suppressants, may relieve some cold symptoms but will not prevent, cure, or even shorten the duration of illness. Herbs such as echinacea and goldenseal are promising to "cut the time you'll suffer from symptoms of cold or flu." Are these promises valid?
Some studies of echinacea have shown it fights head colds and related ailments by increasing the number of immune cells in the blood. It also enhances the cells' ability to destroy harmful bacteria. If you've been exposed to someone with a cold or the flu, echinacea is a good preventive measure to take. Also, if you feel the first signs of a cold coming on, take your echinacea. While it may not prevent a cold, it may shorten the length of a cold and lessen symptoms.
All of the studies agree that echinacea almost never causes side effects. However, take echinacea only when you need it, not as a general preventive supplement. The body becomes less responsive to it after a period of about eight weeks of use. Look for echinacea augustifolia or echinacea purpurea (or a combination of both) and take as recommended on the label.
Note: Because echinacea can affect the immune system, people with autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and scleroderma should not take it. The herb could potentially stimulate adverse effects. Pregnant women and those with diabetes or multiple sclerosis should also abstain, or consult with their physician first.
Goldenseal is another matter. According to respected herb expert Varro Tyler, PhD, it works well as an antiseptic for sores in the mouth, but doesn't increase the immune system function. It's active ingredients don't get past your stomach walls to do it's work.
Drink as much water as you can, and sleep as much as you can. If you can't sleep, load up on Nyquil. Then tell your lover you need as many heads jobs as they can muster in 24 hours. The head jobs don't help you heal any faster, but they make the time more bearable. I have never actually been able to convince my wife to try this to help me recover faster, but maybe you'll have better luck.
Once you are better, wash your hands constantly and stay well rested (8 hours per night) so you won't get sick again.
Once you are better, wash your hands constantly and stay well rested (8 hours per night) so you won't get sick again.
