With the coughing, sneezing and runny noses that seem to sprout up everywhere on campus, students may turn toward natural, herbal remedies to protect themselves. While some of these natural treatments are easy to administer, others require the help of a trained physician.
One of the most well-known herbal remedies is echinacea. Jan Gagnon, a naturopathic physician specializing in homeopathy, said that this herb st imulates the immune system by increasing the activity of white blood cells.
“You want to start [taking] it at the beginning of a cold,” Gagnon advised. The usual suggested dose of echinacea is one to three pills daily, taken with water.
Gagnon also said that garlic, astragalus and golden seal could be helpful treatments for colds, but emphasized the importance of seeking medical advice before attempting home treatments.
Daniel Hardt, another naturopathic physician in Eugene, said people need to realize that they are not sick because they have herbal deficiencies, but because they have nutrient deficiencies. Most people do not receive the nutrients they need from the food they eat because of the way food is processed, he said. Hardt suggested taking a daily multi-vitamin “rather than thinking we can get all the nutrients we need by having a green salad with our pizza.”
Hardt also recommended taking two or three flax-seed-oil capsules a day. These pills provide some of the essential fatty acids that the body needs.
Slippery elm, horehound and lobelia are all good for coughs and lung infections, Hardt said. Lobelia can also help people who wish to quit smoking, as it will cause nausea when tobacco is introduced to the body.
People should not depend on herbs or use them too often, Hardt stressed.
“You want to remember that herbs are medicine — naturally occurring medicine. You don’t want to use herbs on and on and on.”
Liz Dickey, also a naturopathic physician, was hesitant to suggest any treatment for people to try on their own. She said that although natural medicine can work well in helping people regain their health, it is much more effective when administered by a qualified person.
“Each person is unique and requires a unique prescription,” Dickey said. For self-care, Dickey suggested that students “eat well, get enough sleep, exercise and have some fun! People are healthier when they’re happier.”
Gagnon also advised that those who are already sick should watch what they eat. Milk and dairy should be avoided, as should sugar, which feeds bacteria.
Students who attempt to treat themselves with herbs should do so with caution, Hardt also said, because not every herb on the health-food-store shelf is beneficial. He advised that anyone buying a bottle of herbal pills looks for the words “standardized extract” on the back of the bottle.