Dear Reader,
Some people still get colds in the summer. Here’s something you should know about fighting colds…
A set of new studies confirm that Echinacea really does boost your body’s ability to ward off cold symptoms – naturally. The medical community has dismissed this idea for years. I still here doctor’s claim that there is no evidence – but they shouldn’t anymore.
The journal Lancet Infectious Diseases recently published a review of 14 studies proving Echinacea’s effectiveness, both as a preventive measure and as a treatment. Taking Echinaces lowers your chances of catching a cold by 58% and shortens the length of a cold by an average of 1.4 days.
The next time you reach for a box of drugs with decongestants and antihistamines, consider this: unlike Echinacea, these and other drugs come with unwanted side effects including:
• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Rapid Heart Beat
• Nervousness
• Dizziness
• Hives
• Difficulty Breathing
• Serious Drug Interactions
What’s more, these drugs don’t boost your body’s natural immune power, and they don’t kill the germs that cause colds in the first place. All they do is suppress the symptoms. And this undercuts your body’s natural responses.
When it comes to colds, I encourage my patients to try Nature’s cures before over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Boosting your body’s immune system is the best way to avoid catching cold.
By the way, if you do catch one, don’t overlook Vitamin C.
Vitamin C is often underestimated. It’s one of your body’s best immune boosters and its a potent antioxidant. The Lancet review cited one trial combining Echinacea with Vitamin C. They found that when taken together, they reduced colds by 86%.
The best approach is to take Vitamin C in doses higher than the government’s RDA. I recommend at least 500 mg a day on a daily bases for prevention and maintenance. If you have an increased chance of catching a cold, take 1000 mg.
Echinacea is a flower native to North America and is one of the most commonly used herbal supplements. There are nine different species, so you can easily find Echinacea in health food stores. When you feel a cold coming on, use 500 mg twice a day.
A final word of advice: Be sure to read the label when you buy an Echinacea supplement. Of the nine species, only three are considered effective: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida and Echinacea purpurea. If you’re using a different form, chances are you won’t get results.
To Your Good Health,
Al Sears, MD
1 Sachin A. et al, “Evaluation of Echinacea for the prevention and treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis”, Lancet Infectious Diseases, 7(2007):473-480.