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Say Good-bye To Colds And Flu

By Edward C. Wallace, N.D., D.C.

Three herbs _ echinacea, astragalus and goldenseal _ can be your first line of defense when you have the winter sniffles or cough.

There is a common cure for common cold and flu. It's a healthy immune system. Wlth a little help from herbs including echinacea, goldenseal and astragalus, you can give your immune system the boost it needs to help you ward off winter ailments and mitigate symptoms when you catch these illnesses.

    The common cold is caused by any one of a number of rhinoviruses. Symptoms include sore throat, sneezing and runny nose. The flu is caused by the influenza virus, a virus that shows great genetic variation (Asian flu, swine flu). Flu symptoms, which can include fever, chills and headache, are usually more severe than cold symptoms, yet both are upper respiratory infections. We're exposed to cold and flu viruses many times throughout the year but only seldom develop symptoms. When we do catch either illness, it's usually because our immune systems are impaired.

Echinacea, goldenseal and astragalus are among the most potent herbal enhancers of the immune system, according to Michael Murray, N.D., and Joseph Pizzorno, N.D., in their book Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine (Prima). Each of these herbs has different properties and constituents, and each affects us in different ways. Yet, all have been shown to have an impact on the immune system and our ability to ward off disease. Always check with your health practitioner before taking herbal remedies.

Echinacea

Echinacea (pronounced "ek-i-NAYsha"), or purple coneflower, is perhaps the most popular of these three herbs. The three most commonly used species are Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea pallida. They can be distinguished from each other by their physical characteristics. E. angustifolia is often shorter in height than-the others and has long, thin leaves. E. purpurea has a broader leaf. Its pollen, like that of angustifolia, is yellow, while E. pallida's flower is noticeably paler and has white pollen. The medicinal portion of the plant includes the whole plant and/or just the root.

    Numerous components and constituents have been isolated from echinacea, and many of the chemical compositions of each species differ. The pharmacologically important constituents of all species of echinacea include:

•  Polysaccharides (often called echinacins) help stimulate the immune system and have antiviral properties. Echinacins enhance phagocytosis, the ingestion of bacteria by macrophages, especially in alcohol_containing extracts (American Journal of Natural Medicine, Jan./Feb. 1995).

•  Flavonoids: A group of plant pigments that protect against free radical damage.

•  Polyacetylenes: As many as 13 different polyacetylenes have been found in echinacea. They may possess strong bacteria and fungus killing properties.

"Echinacea will elevate serum white blood cell counts when they're low [and will] promote nonspecific T-cell activation, enhanced T-cell replication, macrophage (a cell that engulfs and destroys bacteria as well as viruses) activity, antibody binding and increased numbers of circulating neutrophils (white blood cells)," Murray says.

    Because colds and flu are caused by viruses, echinacea may help fight both illnesses. "Numerous clinical studies have confirmed echinacea's immune-enhancing actions. Various echinacea extracts or products have shown results in influenza, colds and other infectious conditions," Murray says. 

    Two recent German studies support these claims. In the first, 180 patients with influenza were given an extract of E. purpurea root. Others were given a placebo. Researchers found that those taking a high dose of the echinacea extract daily had a "significant reduction" in symptoms. In a second study, 108 people with a cold received either a fresh juice extract of E. purpurea or a placebo. After eight weeks, those receiving the echinacea extract showed an increased length of time between infections, had less severe symptoms and got well faster when infection did occur than those taking the placebo, according to Botanical Influences on Illness (Third Line Press) by Melvyn Werbach, M.D., and Michael Murray, N.D. There are no known toxic reactions to echinacea when used at recommended doses.

Goldenseal

Goldenseal, or Hydrastis canadensis, a plant once common in North America, has been collected so extensively it's now necessary to cultivate this herb commercially.

    The plant contains many constituents including alkaloids such as hydrastine, berberine and canadine. In addition, it also contains fixed and volatile oils. It's the alkaloids, however, that give goldenseal its antibiotic properties. At least one of the alkaloids, berberine, is an "activator of macrophages," according to Murray in Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs (William Morrow). Goldenseal demonstrates "remarkable immunostimulatory activity [including] its ability to increase the blood supply to the spleen, thus promoting release of immune potentiating compounds," Murray says. In addition to these activities, goldenseal helps kill some bacteria.

Astragalus

The long tap root of Astragalus membranosis, or Chinese milkvetch, is one of thel popular herb tonics in Chinese medicine.

    Traditionally, it's been added to formulations that were aimed at treating weak patients. Astragalus is said to strengthen the spleen, an important organ to immune function.

    At least one of the polysaccharides in astragalus has the ability to counteract the immune-suppressing action of anticancer drugs, according to a recent study. Extracts of astragalus can increase T-cell activity, enhance antibody response and increase the activity of NK (natural killer) cells, according to studies reported in Immunopharmacology (1990) and the Chinese Medical Journal (1990).

Chinese clinical studies show that astragalus can reduce the incidence of colds as well as shorten their duration. This botanical medicine significantly increases interferon production and secretion, which thereby stimulates synthesis of proteins that prevent viral infection, say Murray and Pizzorno.

Echinacea, goldenseal and astragalus each play a role in the treatment of colds and flu. Because these are acute, short-term illnesses, echinacea, with its short action time, might prove beneficial. Astragalus can be taken long-term to help build the immune system, thus boosting its power to prevent and treat viruses. It's probably best to take goldenseal for a short time, as long-term use can cause the mildly toxic alkaloids in this herb to kill off friendly bacteria in the body. Each of these herbs comes in many forms available at your natural products store including tea, capsules and standardized extracts. Standardized extracts guarantee a certain percent of active ingredients is included in the product.

    Don't expect immediate improvement from botanical medicines. In fact, symptoms sometimes worsen temporarily. This is because many cold and flu symptoms result from your body's attempts to get rid of the virus, and as you stimulate your immune system, symptoms may increase.

Edward Wallace is a naturopathic physician and chiropractor practicing in West Branch, Iowa. Visit http.//www.healthcraze.com for more information on herbs for colds and flu.

Reprinted with permission from the November 1996 issue of Delicious! Magazine, a publication of New Hope Communications, Boulder, CO.