Nature's Rx: avoiding Swine flu; understanding homeopathy

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME Happy Fall! This is my favorite time of year, but for so many, it is a very stressful time with growing concern over Swine Flu or H1N1 virus. Many people are asking if there is anything they can do to fight the virus naturally. At present there is nothing to announce "officially." It will take the FDA forever and a day to approve any natural therapy, (editorial opinion on my part) and natural products producers are taking a very cautious approach at even hinting that something will fight the Swine flu. There is ongoing research through the National Institutes of Health on one of the strains of the current flu, and I will keep you up to date on any information that I receive. What you can do to avoid H1N1 Viruses mutate with some being benign, some becoming more virulent. No one knows what the H1N1 virus will do and that is the big cause of concern. With that in mind, I might suggest people who are at most risk consider the vaccine. For those of us not at the higher risk immediately, I intend to take the normal precautions that would be helpful for any flu season. Wash, wash, wash your hands, cough into your sleeve, stay home if you think you are sick, use common sense. If you use hand sanitizers, you must add anti-viral oils to really get protection. The sanitizers are effective for bacteria. By adding essential oils such as True Lavender, Ravensara, Eucalyptus globulus, Palmarosa,or Oregano, you can make the hand washer both antiviral and antibacterial. There are medicinal mushrooms that help to boost the immune system. Reishi, Maitake. Shitake, Cordyceps or combinations of these are well researched for their protective qualities. Buried Treasure is a company that specializes in liquid formulas, and two of their products are really good. Prevention ACF is a product designed to help you stay well and reinforces your body s immune function. The other is ACF. This stuff is the best I have ever seen to knock out a cold or flu. I never leave home without it when travelling, and there is always a small bottle on the bed stand. Then there is good old vitamin C, which I talked about last month. Vitamin C is a basic vitamin for the cold and flu season with a long history of proven effectiveness. Use your head for the flu season and take care of yourself. So, what is homeopathy? Dear Jonathan, I have heard a lot about homeopathy, but I just don't understand how you can treat a problem by using the same stuff. Do you know anything about it? Brian, Palmer Dear Brian, Yes . and no. I am familiar with homeopathy and have used homeopathic products in the past. We carry some homeopathics at The Herbarium and have some basic literature on the subject. There are also many fine books on the subject, which I encourage you to read. It is a 150-year-old technology that is based on the Law of Similars (e.g. like cures like). The easiest way to explain homeopathy is to think of a vaccine. The vaccine has a small amount of the germ that is introduced to the body, thus allowing your immune system to set up antibodies and protect you. The dilution of the homeopathic ingredient is so great that technically, there is not even a molecule left in the water. But the water retains a template that the body recognizes and responds to. It may be against regular scientific protocol, but it is recognized in the United States and the truth of the matter is, it works, whether or not you understand it or accept it. Jonathan Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx : Jonathan Evans via e-mail at info@theherbarium.com, or by regular mail at The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013