Good for: Relieving flu
symptoms
Because: This homeopathic
flu remedy contains a highly
diluted concentration of the
virus (so diluted, in fact, that
no clinically testable trace of
the flu is in the final formula), which sparks the body’s
immune system to fight off
the bug. Several studies have
shown that oscillococcinum
not only lessens the severity of
flu symptoms but also shortens their duration. The latest research, published in the
British Homeopathic Journal,
found that nearly 63 percent
of people who took oscillococcinum within 24 hours of
flu onset showed either “clear
improvement” or “complete
resolution” within 48 hours.
Homeopathy works on
a different set of principles
than conventional medicine
— its basic approach is that
“like treats like” — therefore,
randomized-controlled trials
(the gold standard of Western
medicine) are difficult to
design. “Even though the rem-
edy only contains an ener-
getic imprint of the flu,” says
Wallace, “the body summons
the immune system to respond
to the virus to fight it off.”
Farfetched though it may
seem, some doctors are
keeping a more open mind
about homeopathic remedies
these days. Mehmet Oz, MD,
appeared on Oprah a few
years ago and touted energy
medicine (which includes
homeopathy) as the next big
frontier in modern medicine.
How to: Like any flu-preven-
tative, oscillococcinum works
best if taken early, preferably
within 24 hours of experi-
encing bodywide aches, fever
and runny nose. Again, follow
Oscillococcinum
instructions on the label.
Tip: Substances such as caffeine, chocolate, mint and
menthol are thought to dampen the power of homeopathic
remedies, so try to avoid them
while using oscillococcinum.
Good for: Insomnia
Because: Used as a sleep aid
since the times of the ancient
Greeks, valerian is one of
the best-studied herbs for
insomnia. A stack of studies
show that valerian shortens
the time it takes to fall asleep
without leaving you with any
of the “hangover” side effects
common with prescription
sleep aids.
Exactly how valerian works
is unclear. Like most plant-based remedies, it’s probably a combination of factors.
For instance, animal studies
indicate valerian’s volatile
oils have sedative properties.
Other studies show the herb
tricks the brain into releasing
more GABA (
gamma-amino-butyric acid), a calming neurotransmitter, before blocking it from being sucked up
by nerve cells, so the GABA
continues to circulate and
encourage sleep.
How to: The herb’s potency
varies depending on the product, so it’s best to follow dosage instructions on the label.
A common therapeutic dose
is 300 mg of standardized
(0.5 percent essential oil)
valerian extract. Instead of
taking it all at once, you might
take three 100-mg capsules
over the course of the evening
to gradually ease your body
into sleep mode. Or, if using
a tincture (a concentrated,
liquid form of the herb), dilute
Valerian
Capsules
or Tincture
a dropper’s worth of valerian
in a cup of water and drink
one dose after dinner and
another before bed. Madelon
Hope advises keeping either
a valerian capsule or diluted
tincture by the bedside for
middle-of-the-night wakeups.
Tip: In about 10 percent of
people, valerian actually creates restlessness and anxiety,
so take a fraction of a dose the
first time to make sure you’re
not one of the unlucky few.
Good for: Anxiety, emotional
upset or panic
Because: Rescue Remedy, the
most popular of the many
flower remedies, is a blend of
five different flower essences,
each countering a particular
type of stress. Flower remedies
are made mostly from wildflowers infused in water, then
filtered and preserved with
equal parts brandy. Medical
evidence detailing if and how
flower essences work is sparse,
but that doesn’t keep many
integrative physicians from
swearing by them. “Flower
remedies fall under the art
of medicine and the heart
of healing,” says Teitelbaum.
“Who the heck knows how
they work, but they do.”
How to: To manage everyday
stress, place four drops on
the tongue three or four times
a day. Or dilute the drops
in a glass of water and sip
throughout the day. For acute
stress or anxiety, take four
drops every 20 minutes until
feelings subside.
Tip: One of the biggest perks
of flower essences is that
they have absolutely no side
effects. Alcohol-free versions
of Rescue Remedy are avail-
able for children and pets.
Good for: Fighting off colds
Because: An immune-enhanc-ing herb common in traditional Chinese medicine,
Andrographis paniculata is
a potent infection-fighter. In
a review of 11 double-blind,
placebo-controlled studies,
Andrographis paniculata
repeatedly curtailed cold and
flu symptoms. In one of the
best studies to date, the herb
outperformed placebo by
squelching cold symptoms,
including headache, runny
nose and sore throat. How
does it work? “Like every herb,
Andrographis paniculata has
many, many active constituents,” says Hope, “but a big part
of its usefulness are powerful
antimicrobial substances.”
How to: A dose of Andrographis
paniculata is 400 mg three
times a day.
Tip: If a cold feels imminent,
choose a tincture over a capsule or tablet, says Hope.
Tinctures are easily absorbed
by the body; therefore, they
get to work faster. “When I’m
on the threshold of a cold,
three to four dropper’s worth
of Andrographis in a glass of
water a day is very effective.”
Andrographis
Paniculata
Tincture
Good for: Occasional
constipation
Because: This product packs
a virtual who’s who of the
herbal laxative world, with
two varieties of aloe leaf ➺
Dr. Schulze’s Intestinal Formula #1
