useful natural remedy information

Helping to Fight Influenza Naturally

Woodson C. Merrell, MD
Beth Israel Medical Center

 ublic health officials are scrambling to prepare for what may be one of the most challenging flu seasons ever. Seasonal influenza, combined with the continuing presence and possible winter worsening of H1N1, is a daunting prospect. Vaccines for both have been developed, but as of this date, the H1N1 vaccine is still in short supply.
If past experience is a guide, as the seasonal flu peaks in January or February, an estimated 50 million Americans will be infected by it, with an average of 36,000 deaths -- and this is not counting the new H1N1 threat.
Prevention is critical. This includes frequent hand washing and avoidance of crowded spaces. The only FDA-approved remedies available for either classic influenza or H1N1 are vaccines and Tamiflu-class medications. Nevertheless, there are principles and practices that can offer immune support and symptom control. The supplements in this article (available online, from health-food stores and pharmacies) may warrant a place in our medicine chest this year as we seek to be as healthy, and flu and cold-free as possible. (Caveat: None of these have been specifically studied for H1N1 flu.)
OSCILLOCOCCINUM
Taken at the first sign of symptoms, this over-the-counter homeopathic remedy has been shown to reduce both the duration and severity of flu.
In a study published in British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, researchers found that 17.1% of patients with flulike symptoms who took Oscillococcinum (pronounced o-sill-cox-SEE-num) recovered within 48 hours, compared with 10.3% of those taking placebos. Another published study from the venerable Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2009 confirmed Oscillo's effectiveness in combating the flu.
Particularly for people sensitive to the Tamiflu-class of medications, this is one of the only substances with published effectiveness against influenza.
Important: Oscillococcinum works only when taken within three days of symptom onset.
Dose: One vial of pellets under the tongue, three times daily, for no more than three days. If it hasn't worked by then, it won't.
CHINESE HERBAL FORMULAS
These are important aids to help the immune system as it struggles to fight flu as well as colds. Few Western clinical studies have looked at these formulas, but the experience of practitioners in the US as well as a history of successful use for hundreds of years in Asia indicate that Chinese herbals can be both safe and effective at relieving cold and flu symptoms and can shorten the duration of illness.
These products typically contain six to 10 different ingredients, including herbs such as forsythia, isatis, andrographis and astragalus. Some of the components have antiviral effects... others increase immunity... and others address specific symptoms, such as congestion or fever.
Important: Use only formulations that have been produced in the US, which has the highest quality-control standards. Some herbal products imported from China have been found to contain toxic levels of lead or mercury. Good brands include Wellness Formula by Source Naturals and Cold Away by Health Concerns.
Dose: Follow the label instructions. A typical dose is three tablets taken three times daily, as needed.
ECHINACEA
I recommend echinacea for general immune support. The herb fell out of favor when it was reported in a 2005 study in The New England Journal of Medicine that it was no better than a placebo for treating and preventing colds.
However, in 2007, The Lancet published a meta-analysis of studies comparing echinacea with a placebo for preventing or shortening the duration of the common cold. Echinacea was found to be effective. The researchers also discovered that echinacea seemed to reduce the severity of cold symptoms.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study that was published in Journal of Clinical Pharmacy & Therapeutics stated that echinacea significantly reduced symptoms when it was taken soon after the onset of symptoms. This finding has been replicated by many other studies.
Echinacea appears to be most effective when combined with other herbs that synergistically strengthen immunity and relieve upper-respiratory infections.
Dose: Follow label directions. I recommend taking echinacea in combination with other herbs, such as black elderberry. Good brands include Esberitox, Insure and Immunotone.
Caution: Don't take echinacea if you have an autoimmune disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's or lupus. It increases levels of TNF-alpha, an inflammatory substance that needs to be lowered in patients with these conditions.
ESSENTIAL OIL INHALATION THERAPY
Inhalation therapy is one of the fastest ways to relieve symptoms of colds or flu. It also can help prevent illness because it kills viruses in the upper-respiratory tract.
When you're in a crowded place (such as a movie theater or an airplane), remove the cap from a bottle of essential oil, such as tea tree oil. Take several sniffs with each nostril. Do this every one to two hours. Tea tree oil's compounds have been shown to have both antiviral and antibacterial effects.
For symptom relief: Pour steaming water into a bowl, along with a few drops of tea tree oil, or any of a number of essential oils (rosemary, oregano or combination products such as Thieves Oil Blend, or even Vicks VapoRub -- a blend of camphor, eucalyptus oil and menthol). Drape a towel around your head to trap the steam. Then lean forward, close your eyes and breathe in the vaporized oils. It's the fastest way to relieve congestion and sinus pressure, as well as provide an excellent germicidal effect.
MEDICINAL MUSHROOMS
Medicinal mushrooms, including shiitake, maitake and reishi, have been shown to have significant immune-stimulating properties, and people who maintain a strong immune system are far less likely to get colds or flu. Mushrooms are used both preventively and during an illness that challenges the immune system. Unlike many immune-boosting herbs, mushrooms do not seem to lose their effectiveness with prolonged use.
Dose: Eat one or more of these mushroom varieties a few times a week throughout the cold and flu season. Or take a supplement that includes a mushroom blend, such as New Chapter Host Defense.
VITAMIN C AND ZINC
Vitamin C has been shown to be somewhat effective at preventing and treating upper-respiratory infections. A study published in Advances in Therapy in 2002 found that people taking vitamin C had significantly fewer colds than those taking placebos. They also had a shorter duration of severe symptoms -- 1.8 days, compared with 3.1 days for those in the control group.
Zinc oral lozenges often are used to reduce symptoms, including cough, nasal discharge and sore throat.
Caution: Recently the nasal form of zinc in one form of Zicam was shown to inhibit the sense of smell.
Dose: Up to three zinc lozenges daily for maximum of three or four days. For vitamin C, a typical dose is 1,000 milligrams (mg) daily, divided into two or three doses to avoid stomach upset or diarrhea.

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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Stop fanatic political agendas and correctness actions

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Hollecrest & Associates Inc   -"Turnaround Consultants" http://www.ic.gc.ca/ccc/search/cp?l=eng&e=123456239975 .


Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care

Brant-Knights of Columbus

Brant-Knights of Columbus Turning pain into gain

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada - Advocacy, Benefits, Community & Zoomer.

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada - Advocacy, Benefits, Community & Zoomer.: "CARP was quick out of the gate when a news report surfaced that a group of seniors, walking along a city trail as part of their exercise regimen – a regimen they paid someone to conduct, with the warm-up walk just one of several elements – were harassed and photographed by a city bylaw officer. He apparently wanted the organizer to pay for a city permit."

Brant-Knights of Columbus

Brant-Knights of Columbus -a renewal approach

Incompetence at any level is sickening

"Health records scandals making all Canadians sick
Posted By LORRIE GOLDSTEIN
Posted 3 hours ago


Nine years ago, the feds and Canada's 13 provincial and territorial governments announced a $10-billion plan to develop computerized medical records for every Canadian.
Federal Auditor General Sheila Fraser will report next year on the progress of the Electronic Health Records (eHealth) project, based on her audit of federal efforts and similar probes by her counterparts in five provinces. But what we already know suggests billions of taxpayers' dollars may have been wasted.
Ontario Auditor General Jim McCarter has just issued a scathing report on his province's EHR efforts, concluding the government lost control of the project, which began in 2002, and has spent $1 billion with little to show for it, leaving its future mired in controversy."

Time to fix it or lose it -Pr

ProActive Rants: Sunridge – Back to Eden - A Personal Care Option..

ProActive Rants: Sunridge – Back to Eden - A Personal Care Option..

B.C. Health Minister supports private care

B.C. Health Minister supports private care: "B.C. Health Minister supports private care"


The government ended up contracting out many of the procedures to private clinics as a way to catch up. Logic not dogma prevails to help those that need health services OJ

Tobacco Book

Tobacco Book: "“ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
“ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
Join my biggest crusade yet and get the inside scoop
on the surprising health BENEFITS of smoking...
-a intersting view from contrarian MD Douglas -qj"

Tobacco Book

Tobacco Book: "“ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
Join my biggest crusade yet and get the inside scoop
on the surprising health BENEFITS of smoking... “ARE YOU SMOKING ENOUGH TO STAY HEALTHY?”
Join my biggest crusade yet and get the inside scoop
on the surprising health BENEFITS of smoking..."


worth a read -by the contrarian doctor Douglas QMB

Gmail - What the Gov't Won't Tell You About Health Care Reform - siegholle@gmail.com

Gmail - What the Gov't Won't Tell You About Health Care Reform -

More on US health reform

Not a good way to save the health system

Not a good way to save the Heath system

In a blistering letter to Ontario doctors, the group says Hudson must also resign because he's "not competent" to lead the agency's board.


"We are at a crossroads in transformation where one path is carved out by seemingly entitled individuals who appear content to waste hundreds of millions of taxpayers' hard-earned money and who are not held accountable," states the letter signed by president Dr. Douglas Mark.


"Not even the Minister of Health, David Caplan, as he turns a blind eye to the shenanigans of his trusted leaders at eHealth who show up over and over again in various health care organizations with a trail littered with costly programs but questionable results."


Hudson hasn't returned calls for comment.


EHealth, which is tasked with creating electronic health records in Ontario, has ignited a political storm for questionable spending and awarding nearly $5 million in untendered contracts.

Sarah Kramer was abruptly removed as president and CEO on Sunday amid the furor over eHealth, which allowed consultants who were paid about $2,700 a day to bill taxpayers for minor purchases like tea and snacks.

This is sad and we wonder who is in charge and if there is anu accountability OJ

Genetics -Future medicine trend?

Your Doctor Is Wasting Your Time... and Your Money
By Rob Fannon, editor, Phase 1 Investor

I'd like nothing more than to fire my doctor...

Anyone else sick of scheduling appointments, only to wait for 30 minutes (or more) before hearing your name called? Then, if you're lucky, you get 10 minutes with a harried physician who shares nothing you didn't already know. When did doctors cease being healers? Most are nothing more than informed technicians, cranking through protocols and patient numbers to make ends meet.

I don't need a doc to check my blood pressure, take my temperature, rub my lymph nodes, and hand me an antibiotic... for whatever ails me.


I prefer the do-it-yourself model.

The secret to good health is information, discipline, and prevention – in that order. A discerning eye can gather more than enough qualified information on the web for any and all medical conditions. And of course, with enough self-discipline, diet and exercise are always the best prescription for most health-related matters. No two steps do more to prevent illness.

Still, all the web surfing, whole-grain bread, and wind sprints in the world can't trump one element of our health and wellbeing: our genes.

The next frontier for medicine is genetics. As patients, we can look forward to knowing which diseases are in our future based on a genetic fingerprint. Armed with a readout mapping our DNA and forecasting the medical conditions we'll likely encounter, we can fire the family doctor and head straight to the specialist who can actually cure us.

As investors, we've got to realize this day is coming faster than we may have thought...

Of course, not every genetics wonder-company is investable. Take my experience last summer, for example. For $1,000, I shipped my DNA to Iceland. There, scientists at deCODE Genetics (DCGN) scanned my genes to determine my risk of various cancers, heart-related disorders, brain diseases, as well as oddball tests for male pattern baldness and alcohol-flush reaction.

But the whole thing was a bit of a letdown. Most of the results were too vague. And based on my family history, I already know I have European ancestors, a thinning hairline, brown eyes, and a "slightly elevated" risk for many diseases. Obviously, I can't fire my doctor quite yet.

Without a sufficient payoff, expensive testing services like deCODE's won't attract meaningful numbers of customers. Patients – and the insurance companies that will foot the bill –need clear, definitive answers that have an immediate use in order to pay for such tests.

That is the key to making money in personalized medicine today. And that's what I look for when I make an investment in the "personalized medicine" boom...

One of my favorite companies in this sector – one I think has done it "right" – is Genomic Health (GHDX).

Genomic Health's Oncotype DX test measures the aggressiveness of breast cancer via a molecular snapshot of the tumor. Based on the results, patients and doctors make informed decisions about whether or not to pursue grueling and costly chemotherapy treatment.



Results Are in from Iceland
Why You May Never Take a Regular Drug Again
Most important, Oncotype DX offers an appealing cost-benefit proposal for insurance companies. These payers are more than willing to shell out $3,700 for the test if it reduces the number of $35,000 chemotherapy treatments they pay for.

Clear, definitive answers that result in an immediate action plan... that's the winning formula for genetic-screening services. It's why deCODE is headed for bankruptcy and why I think Genomic Health is a bargain today...


Great assessment and a hopeful future solution to the current care crisis QJ

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada

CARP - A New Vision of Aging for Canada: "Make Predators ExtinctMake Predators Extinct"

Dont be a victim -fight back QJ

"A goal without a plan is just a wish." - Larry Elder
Predator: n.
1. An organism that lives by preying on other organisms. 2. One that victimizes, plunders, or destroys, especially for one's own gain. In the wild, predators use jaws and talons. In the human world, predators use trust and influence

Elder Abuse

We have taken several steps to address this very serious issue.

For example, in March 2007, our Government established the National Seniors Council to provide us with advice on all matters related to the well-being and quality of life of seniors. The first priority given to the Council by our Government was to examine the serious issue of elder abuse in Canada. After a year of extensive consultations with seniors, community and social groups, as well as other concerned Canadians, the Council released its report on elder abuse. It clearly outlined the magnitude of the problem of elder abuse in its many forms, including physical, financial, psychological, sexual and neglect.

Our Government fully understands that this is a complex problem that cannot be solved by one level of government or one organization. We recognize that combating elder abuse requires all of us to do our part to stop such unspeakable mistreatment. That is why, at the federal level, we are increasing our efforts.

We have introduced the Federal Elder Abuse Initiative, under which we invested $13 million over three years to help seniors and others recognize the signs and symptoms of elder abuse, and also to provide information on what support is available. A key element of that commitment includes a national public awareness campaign, which we will be launching very soon.


The ministers promise to CARP - lets see if she can deliver OJ

CARP Health Care Survey Results

The results of the CARP survey indicates that improvements are needed to how health care is delivered in Canada QJ

Government out of step with out of country care

Consistent with our findings in the past, most respondents, despite their high ratings of their care at home, are willing to travel outside the system if they had to and to expect reimbursement. Almost 40% said such care should be reimbursed by the Canadian health care system without conditions. Many more (59%) said that there should be reimbursement with conditions. Only 2% said there should be no reimbursement. Belief in full unconditional reimbursement is far higher in Quebec (53%) than elsewhere.
Only 30% thought that reimbursement should require prior approval. 27% thought approval could be given after treatment was started or completed and over 42% said reimbursement should just require a referral from your doctor. In Quebec, that figure was even higher (48%).
Clearly, the policy makers that insist on strict application of the prior approval requirements are way out of step with CARP ActionOnline readers who answered our survey and we will be drawing this response to their attention.
These survey results, based on over 5,600 CARP ActionOnline readers, are considered reliable within plus or minus 1.4 % 19 times out of 20.

expensive overlap and duplication

Read full article...

Paramedics and patients are constantly bombarded with fire services even though we have notified our communications office and asked them to cancel fires assistance. Apparently, according to Mr. Scharf (fire management), our council members implemented this "can't cancel fire services" policy. When paramedics arrive at a scene, fire services are still rushing through traffic with their bells and whistles blaring, to needlessly arrive at the same place as paramedics. Then they are sent back, as we don't need them, although some of them stick around unnecessarily.

ProActive Rants: Senior centre seeks donations of books, puzzles and plants - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA

ProActive Rants: Senior centre seeks donations of books, puzzles and plants - Brantford Expositor - Ontario, CA

construtive spring cleaning - help others and help yourself 

Board Heads In Wrong Salary Direction - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA

Board Heads In Wrong Salary Direction - Chatham Daily News - Ontario, CA: "Board Heads In Wrong Salary Direction
Posted By

Overpaid for what they do - citizens finally speak out -QJ-- good for them "

Douglas md's -Daily Dose Health Digest for the week

Dr Douglas always has something interesting to say - he is not fond of those that profit from others misery-those that write self serving and obvious research reports- always worth a read

 

•  watch out for your daughters
• drug testing - why job holders and not welfare recepients
• drug more gouging
• uneessary prostate treatments -cure is worse research

Stop shelling out your cash for yesterday's solutions. What I talked about in the Daily Dose this week... Vegetarians more likely to have eating disorders Hang on to your carrot stick. There's actually a new study that's got something negative to say about vegetarianism. It turns out that many people who are vegetarians have made this "lifestyle choice" because they think it will help control their weight—as opposed to simply swearing off meat for the principle of it. Because of this, some people are now saying that vegetarianism is a sign of an eating disorder. Read the full story. Not-so-great wall of China: Imported drywall could be toxic Yet another Chinese-made good is threatening the health of people here in the U.S. Florida homeowners have complained that the drywall in their homes, which was imported from China, is not only giving off a foul odor like sulfer, but is also emitting corrosive gases that are destroying home appliances. So you can just imagine what it's doing to people's lungs. Read the full story. States battle over drug tests for welfare recipients Believe it or not, some states have shot down bills that would require drug tests for people on the welfare rolls. As if it's not bad enough that we have 20 million illegal citizens of Mexico getting health benefits from the U.S. taxpayers, now it seems that it's just fine to be paying people to sit around and take drugs instead of taking a job and contributing to society. Where does it end? Wonder drug aimed at creating wonderful profits for Big Pharma It's no secret that Big Pharma companies allow their marketing departments to have an undue amount of influence on their research and development departments. There's one new drug in the works that has "marketing gimmick" written all over it. The drug in question is known as the "Polypill" – it's a 5-in-1 pill that's designed to fight heart disease. Read the full story. Daily Dose readers can now tap into the minds of other health-conscious readers at http://clicks.douglassreport.com//t/AQ/FZU/GPs/C4Y/AQ/AmRRXw/Sskv Copyright (c)2009 by www.douglassreport.com, L.L.C. The Daily Dose may not be posted on commercial sites without written permission.

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Back to Eden communities
Sunridge -261 Oakhill Drive, Brantford
New Beginnings -23 Richards Ridgetown

backtoeden.ontario@gmail.com
www.backtoeden.bravehost.com
"Building elder peer communities that are cozy,caring and comfortable" -quality 24/7 care