Herbal Remedies To Help Fight Colds and Flu

Even though the summer is still with us, it's not too early to think about building up your immune system in preparation for the coming winter. We have brought you news in previous issues of nutrients and herbs that can help prevent you from coming down with colds and flu, in a way that pharmaceutical drugs simply can't. For example, back in March 2000, HSI reported on a hybridised mushroom extract that offers powerful immune system protection.

But what can you do if, despite taking precautions, you're still unfortunate enough to catch a cold or come down with a nasty bout of flu? According to conventional medicine, very little. However, this simply is not true. Certain herbs contain active compounds that have been found to help stop colds and viruses in their tracks... helping you to get back on your feet in just a few days. Three herbs in particular stand out from the rest: liquorice, black elderberry and olive leaf extract.

Long-time HSI members may already be familiar with some of these herbs from reading past issues. However, what you're probably not aware of is that these three herbs have been the subject of ground-breaking new research, that not only confirms their remarkable immune-boosting properties and ability to help speed recovery time from colds and flu, but also shows how they may help in the management of other conditions like HIV and hepatitis.

Liquorice could be the key to tackling the insidious SARS virus

Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract has been shown to exert a beneficial effect against the common cold and influenza virus.1

However, the reason why it is currently receiving so much attention among scientists is because research findings have just been released, suggesting that it may be a more effective weapon against SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) than many conventional drugs have so far proved to be. This is especially important now that some medical experts are warning that the SARS epidemic, far from being over, could be set to make a comeback.

Earlier this year, the SARS outbreak caused panic across the world and spurred scientists to urgently seek anti-viral compounds that could successfully combat the disease. The majority of these studies concentrated on pharmacuetical drugs as a potential treatment but met with little real success. Meanwhile, researchers at the Institute of Medical Virology in Frankfurt tested glycyrrhizin, a natural compound found in the root of the liquorice plant, alongside four pharmaceutical drugs, including ribavirin - the current available SARS treatment - on samples of coronavirus (the virus behind SARS) taken from infected patients.

The results revealed that glycyrrhizin out-performed all four drugs in inhibiting the virus. Better still, unlike ribavirin, which has many toxic side effects including the destruction of red blood cells, glycyrrhizin only destroyed the virus and was non-toxic to both virus-infected and healthy cells. Glycyrrhizin was also found to completely block replication of the SARS virus and to inhibit both the way the virus sticks to the outside of cell walls and its ability to penetrate cells.2

Studies have also shown that liquorice possesses an ability to inhibit reproduction of the human immunovirus (HIV), the virus that causes AIDS, and have also found that injections of glycyrrhizin can produce a beneficial effect in AIDS patients.3, 4, 5

What's more, a clinical trial involving people with acute and chronic viral hepatitis found that taking 2.5 grams of liquorice three times per day controlled the disease more effectively than the antiviral drug inosine poly-IC.6

Elderberry can help you make a full recovery from flu in just three days

If you develop flu this winter, your doctor will probably advise you to go to bed, keep warm and wait for it to pass. There are no drugs that can cure influenza (antibiotics are useless). Yet it seems that an extract of elderberries (Sambucus nigra) can do just that.

In double-blind, placebo-controlled trials conducted in Norway earlier this year, elderberry extract was shown to significantly reduce the duration of influenza symptoms by approximately four days. The need for other medication, such as painkillers, was significantly lessened in the group receiving elderberry extract than in the placebo group.7

This backs up the findings of a previous study that found 90 per cent of 15 patients taking elderberry extract showed a significant reduction in influenza symptoms after two days and made a complete recovery after just three days. In comparison, it took six days before 92 per cent of patients in the control group experienced any improvement in their symptoms.8

Olive leaf can kill a wide range of viruses without causing side effects

Another great anti-viral herb is olive leaf (Olea europea). The leaves contain a bitter substance called oleuropein, one component of which, elenoic acid, has been shown to exert a potent action against a wide range of viruses in laboratory tests. The calcium salt of elenoic acid destroyed all of the viruses it was tested against, including influenza, herpes and polio viruses.9

In addition, a clinical trial in Budapest involving over 500 patients concluded that olive leaf extract was extremely effective in treating a wide range of illnesses. A full and rapid recovery was experienced by 115 out of 119 patients with respiratory tract infections after taking olive leaf extract, and 120 out of 172 patients with viral skin conditions, such as herpes. Better still, no side effects were reported.10

What to take for best results

These herbs can be taken separately or together, although you should consult your doctor before taking any of these preparations, particularly if you are on any medication.

Liquorice: It is important to be aware that high doses of liquorice taken over periods of several months may raise blood pressure and lower blood potassium levels. For this reason, it should only be used as a short-term measure to help provide relief from symptoms. Take one 450mg liquorice root tablet one to three times a day, for one to two weeks. Talk to your doctor if you already have high blood pressure or if you are on medication.

Black elderberry extract: Take a tablespoonful of black elderberry liquid extract, three or four times a day.

Olive leaf extract: Take one 250mg standardised olive leaf extract tablet a day, with meals.

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