Feeling invulnerable and unaware of stress and dietary causes, the average American experiences approximately 5.6 respiratory illnesses each year and young children, a startling 8.3! In fact the common cold, as one of a class of upper respiratory diseases, accounts for 60% of all diseases.

With all the recent high tech advances of modern medicine and the billions of dollars spent on research of far more complex and serious diseases such as cancer, one might at least expect a cure for the common cold. Not so easy,since there are more than 200 viruses, numbers of bacteria and even some funguses that can cause cold-like respiratory problems. Because of this, it is not likely that a vaccine can be developed for the common cold. This is particularly true since more than any other disease, a cold represents a complex series of energetic metabolic imbalances as well as various pathogenic causes often unique to each patient.

Coryza, as the common cold is called in medical jargon, is considered a minor self-limiting illness mostly occurring during the autumn and winter with chills and dampness being predisposing factors. The standard medical treatment is to spend a day or two in bed and take soluble aspirin 0.6 grams every 6 hours or so to alleviate the minor discomforting symptoms.

Another factor to consider is that living and sleeping in overly heated homes with lack of ventilation, does not allow our Triple Warmer to help us make the proper adjustment to outer climatic conditions. As a result, we literally “catch a chill” when we step outside during the Winter months.

We must confess that there are in fact few cures for any disease,including the common cold. It was Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine who first observed how despite all our supposed cures and remedies, “the body cures itself.” Given this, treatments and remedies generally focus on either managing the symptoms of discomfort, or ideally to facilitate and optimize the body’s ability to heal itself. In natural medicine this is done mainly through the use of dietary restrictions, herbs, various physio-therapeutic methods such as inducing perspiration and of course, plenty of recuperative rest.

This is no great news for the impatient or self important, who feel that under no circumstances can the relentless high-stress pace of his or her daily life be interrupted because of an unexpected cold. It is for such an individual that Western pharmaceutical medicine offers over-the-counter drugs in the form of various antihistamines. Unfortunately, while they may temporarily relieve cold-symptoms, they may also have undesirable side effects of either drowsiness or excitement, lethargy, fatigue and even possible cardiovascular collapse or respiratory arrest. Hardly a bargain in exchange for a cold!

From the perspective of holistic health, antihistamines insult the body’s life force and may have a negative impact in facilitating its ability to properly cleanse and regain health. When a cold finally quits with such treatment, it is more an expression of despair in convincing its host of the need to detoxify, slow down and rest. Assuming the prerequisite rest, judicious fasting or dietary limitations, herbs and other natural therapies can give our body the strength it needs to fully cleanse and recover.

How do these herbs stimulate the immune system? Echinacea (all species), today the most popular North American herb, has been shown to be both bacteriostatic and anti viral.[4] Golden seal root (Hydrastiscanadensis) has powerful effects in drying the mucus membranes and inhibiting a wide range of hostile microorganisms. Chaparral (Larreadivaricata) has strong anti microbial activity and has been shown to sedate inflammation of the respiratory and intestinal tract.[5] Garlic (allium sativum) containsallicin which has been shown to be not only antibacterial but antiviral against influenza virus. The powerful deep immune stimulating properties of astragalus (astragalus membranicus) will be discussed further on.

To make your own herbal immune stimulant and cold and flu remedy,combine these herbs in equal amounts and blend approximately four ounces of the combination in a pint of gin or vodka. Allow to stand in a wide mouthed jar, shaking it daily. After at least two weeks, strain and bottle for use. Average dose consists of 30 drops to a 1 teaspoon two or three times daily more or less as needed. During an acute condition, I recommend taking a teaspoon steeped in a half cup of boiling water every hour or two.

Boneset was a once popular herb for influenza and fevers. It held official drug status in the US from 1820 to 1950. It is diaphoretic, febrifuge (gets rid of fevers), emetic (in large doses), and laxative. In mild, moderate doses it is diaphoretic, especially when taken in warm infusion. Steep one oz. of the dried herb to 1 pint of boiling water. Take a half cup every hour or two during an acute stage of cold or fever. After five doses or so, it should induce perspiration.

The popular name was inspired from its great value in treating a particular type of fever (“dengue”) with attendant bone pain called “breakbone” that prevailed in the US during the 19th century. It is still widely used for treating colds and influenza by British medical herbalists specifically for the treatment of influenza and fever. Because of its bitter, somewhat nauseant taste, it has fallen into recent neglect but considering the increasing virulence of influenza viruses that have been visited upon us in recent times, it seems worth reconsidering the use of this old-time cold and influenza remedy.

Now let’s look at some individual herbal remedies.

It is sold neatly sized and packaged, resembling yellow colored tongue depressors. As with many Chinese herbs, but more especially astragalus, there are many different grades from which to choose. Ideally this process will be facilitated by knowing your supplier. Quality is determined partially by its larger size, the depth of yellow color and most definitively by a noticeable ‘sweetish ‘flavor when a piece of the root is chewed.

About 6 to 15 grams is taken or for convenience, around three or four slices, of the root can be simmered alone or with fresh ginger in a half quart of water for approximately 30 to 45 minutes. This can then be used as tea or you can use it as stock for soup or to cook cerealor rice. Traditionally most Chinese families serve it in Winter to the entire family in soup once a week whether any of them immediately need it or not, somewhat like the way some Westerners regularly take a daily multi vitamin. For those who are actively working on strengthening their immune system, it should be taken regularly once or twice daily over a period of weeks or months as needed.

Because it has a metabolically warming and drying nature, astragalusis not recommended to use if there is any accompanying acute inflammation, fever, or noticeable dryness of the skin and mucus membranes. In general it is best to use it inter currently when the disease is not in its most actively inflamed and acute stage.

In my own experience, I like to make fresh garlic oil by blending several cloves of peeled garlic in olive oil. A teaspoon of this is then taken every hour or two not only to relieve the immediate cold symptoms but because of the anti-biotic and anti-viral properties of garlic, to at least help prevent the spread of the inflammation. Garlic oil is very effective for coughs as well as earaches. For the ears, simply moisten a wad of cotton and put it into each ear before retiring. Relief is usually overnight.

Ginger, garlic and boiled water all fulfill the fundamental prerequisite strategy for treating the common cold, to induce stimulation of the surface capillaries and break the cold by inducing perspiration. As previously stated, herbs that are classified either as surface stimulants or diaphoretics such as elder, mint, lemon balm, oregano, yarrow, ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and garlic are used. The addition of sucanat or honey can serve as a valuable component of treatment because it helps to replenish and nourish the energy that is consumed with the use of herbal stimulants and diaphoretics.

This is especially important for some vegetarians who may lack any nutritional reserve and generally respond poorly to the use of herbal stimulants and diaphoretics that disperse internal energy to the surface. These individuals also respond especially poorly to the use of antihistamines and antibiotics that consume some of the body’s reserves.

The ingredients are mixed and sifted. The dose is one teaspoonful steeped in a cup of hot or boiling water sweetened with raw brown sugar or honey. Cover and allow it to stand until cool enough to drink the clear liquid, leaving the powder.

Evidently upper respiratory complaints were at least as prevalent in the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was Dr. Nowell’s most commonly prescribed herbal formula. He states: “We have made and used Composition Powder for over forty years — we regularly mixed it in batches of sixty pounds — As a remedy in colds, beginning of fevers,flu, hoarseness, sluggish circulation, colic cramps, etc. we believe it has done more good than any other single preparation ever known to man — If this compound were kept in every home, and used as the occasion arose, there would be far less sickness. Give it freely in your practice and your patient will bless you.”[9]

It is taken similarly to composition powder previously described but I feel the addition of licorice and marshmallow root gives it a smoother action.

This combination is especially suitable for patients of a more delicate or frail constitution. After taking one or two cups of the tea, one should retire to bed to sweat. It should then be followed by a bowl of rice porridge a half hour or so after sweating to replenish any lost vitality.

The Shang Han Lun of Chang Chung Ching, from which this formula is taken, was essentially dedicated to treating colds and other contagious diseases caused by cold. The reason as stated by Chang in his preface, “two-thirds of my relatives (more than two hundred) succumbed to disease, seven-tenths of which (deaths) were due to an epidemic fever.” Evidently colds leading to more serious upper respiratory problems were also an issue in 2nd century China as well.

Medical inefficiency must also have been a problem since part of the intent of the book was to reform 2nd century Chinese medical practice. The Shang Han Lun consists of some 113 predominantly herbal formulas originally intended to treat acute, externally contracted disease such as colds, flus and fevers. Their therapeutic efficacy have since been more deeply understood and broadened so that they have become the core formulas of clinical Chinese herbalism as well as Japanese Kanpo herb medicine.

TCM tends to differentiate constitutionally between delicate, mediumor strong patients. Delicate patients tend to be underweight, colder, frailer and more susceptible to external diseases. Medium patients have a medium build and are neither pronouncedly delicate or excessive in build. Strong patients tend to have a large bodily frame, strong, excessive manner and less vulnerable to cold.

This is slowly simmered in 2 or 3 cups of boiling water for 30 minutes ina covered non-metallic vessel. One cup is taken two or three times daily.

This formula is good for those with a somewhat delicate constitution who have a tendency towards fatigue, gastrointestinal weakness,headache, heaviness in the head, neuralgia, fever, chills, floating pulse, distention beneath the heart. It is primarily used for treating the common cold, influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis and pleuritis.

Yin Chiao San

Bamboo manna (phylostachys nigra) is the inner sap of bamboo. It is called zhu li in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and is similarly used to clear inflammation and phlegm from the lungs. Pippli (piperlongum) called bi ba in TCM, along with the other ingredients insito paladi are hot and counter balance the cooling energy of bamboo manna. Although, not as preferred, one can substitute black pepper forpippli in this formula. These herbs tend to stimulate circulation and raise the body’s resistance to external cold pathogens.

A simplification of this combination is readily made by combining powdered black pepper, cardamom, echinacea root (either purpurea orangusti folia) and, if available, adding kudzu starch powder. The dried herbs should be finely powdered and mixed with warm honey to form a thick goupy consistency. In this form, it can be stored in a small wide mouthed jar and will keep indefinitely unrefrigerated. A teaspoon of this combination can be taken three or four times a day followed by a cup of boiled warm water.

Since the beginning of recorded history, people have been vulnerable to occasional colds and flu. As a result there is a wealth of practical dietary and herbal wisdom for us to draw upon from many cultures. As we have seen, proper treatment of a cold can range from the simplest use of drinking boiled warm water to a complex Chinese herbal formula from the second century A.D. Once established, a cold might have to simply run its course. Even then, its duration and discomfort can be reduced considerably with therapeutic diet and herbs. Proper treatment will also help prevent what might at first be a simple common disease from developing into a more complicated life threatening problem.