Staying Healthy During International Travel

[jphaas]

Good morning Tribe,

My family and I are off to the Philippines next week for 3 weeks to visit my wife's family and friends over the holidays. I have been to the Philippines 3 times before and always manage to get sick there no matter how careful I am drinking bottled water, boiling water, and brushing my teeth with bottled water. I was wondering if anyone had any type of herbal suggestions to take with me to help boost my immune system against stuff it normally doesn't have to contend with. I already have a good probiotic that I am taking, but wanted to throw this out and see what Tribal Wisdom has to offer!

Thanks!

Jon

[Coach Hurst]

Jon,

I live in Japan and do a lot of traveling so I can understand where you are coming from. I personally take NO medicine, only natural forms like herbs, etc. Two supplements that I take are propolis and bee pollen everyday but here are two articles that I have that address herbs to strengthen the immune system and for colds, etc.

I hope that this helps you out.


A basic guide on popular herbal remedies to build the immune system and alleviate cold and flu symptoms.

The cold and flu season is quickly approaching. Yes, you should always follow your Doctor’s orders however sometimes you may find you want a little additional help. Before taking or using in any way any herbal product, check with your health care provider. Use products only as directed by professionals.

The following herbs are well known for their healing properties as well as their immune building properties. They have been broken down in this article in three categories, the immune system builders, the common cold and the flu. You will note, several of these herbs can be used for more than one ailment. Most herbs promote good health in more than one area.

Let’s start with the immune building herbs. Pay attention to the part of the herb used.

Astragalus (roots) also known as hung qi. Also promotes cells that fight against cancer. *Do NOT take when fever is present.

Bayberry (root bark) Also helps clear congestion, reduces fever and is good for your eyes.

Horehound (flowers and leaves) Also useful for sinus troubles, used in cough drops.

Echinacea (leaves and roots) This herb acts as an anti-viral agent. Can be taken in pill form, as a tea, in a liquid or rubbed on inflamed areas of the skin as a salve.

*Do NOT take for more than 2 weeks in a row

Goldenseal- Also acts as an antibiotic * do NOT take if pregnant of diabetic.

Next, if you find yourself coming down with a cold there are several useful herbs to relieve the cold symptoms.

Ephedra (stems) Also known as Ma Huang. Used to relieve congestion. (However this is somewhat difficult to find in the U.S. now. Here in Japan there is no problem)

*People who have glaucoma, high blood pressure, pregnant or those on an MAO inhibitor should NEVER use this herb. This is one of the most controversial herbs in usage today. As with all herbal supplements, check with your health care provider before using.

Ginger (roots) Will help reduce a fever. (It can also help with an upset stomach when mixed with warmed milk.)

Feverfew will help relieve headache

Slippery Elm (bark) will help ease a sore throat

Yarrow (berries and leaves) helps reduce fever, helps heal

irritated mucous membranes

*Do NOT take if anemic as it interferes with iron absorption in the body

There are more than 200 known strains of influenza otherwise known as the flu. The flu is highly contagious. If you pay attention to the news reports each winter, you will note that each year the flu takes the lives of many people. This virus can affect everyone, however those most susceptible are small children under two, those with immune system problems and the elderly. It is advisable to get flu shots every year from your health care provider.

You may also decide to use Mother Nature to fight the flu in the form of herbs.

If you find you’ve come down with the flu, there are quite a few herbs you can take to help you through it.

Echinacea, Ephedra, Ginger, Goldenseal, Yarrow and Slippery Elm as mentioned previously in the article for the immune system and the common cold.

Peppermint tea can be used for headache, nausea and poor appetite associated with the flu. It is also good for after a large meal that might cause indigestion. Thus the peppermints that are found at the counter of most restaurants!

Cayenne will help your congestion and headaches. You can add the powder right from your kitchen to any food you can stomach.

As an added note, NEVER give aspirin or any product containing aspirin to a child who has flu symptoms. It is very dangerous and can produce a deadly disease in children called Reye’s Syndrome. Contact your health care provider for alternatives to aspirin.

All the information provided about healing herbs could be found through a health care provider who specializes in alternative medicines. The internet is also a wonderful place to find info. You can also check out your local library or bookstore for herbal books that contain the above information.

Please note, the information provided in this article is not meant to replace advice given form your personal physician or health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before taking any medications that include herbs.


And one more for you. Same stuff, broken down.




5 Herbal Immune Boosters
*by Pamela Allardice*


Harmful germs, bacteria and viruses are trying to infect your body even as you read this. Strengthen your immune system this winter with these herbal remedies.

1. Astragalus
A traditional tonic among Chinese herbalists, astragalus improves the activity of interferon, the body's natural anti-viral agent. The best evidence to date for its immune-stimulating effects comes from the University of Texas Medical Centre in Houston, US. A study there found that the polysaccharides (a type of carbohydrate) in astragalus restored function to cancer patients' damaged immune cells.

2. Echinacea
Today, people all around the globe use this ancient North American plant remedy to promote resistance to colds and flu, a finding borne out by placebo-controlled studies. In one, 199 volunteers were randomly assigned a daily dose of 240mg of Echinacea purpurea or a placebo (dummy pill) to be taken at the first sign of a cold. The echinacea was effective in 68 per cent of cases, the placebo in only 40 per cent.

3. Borage
Borage seeds are an excellent source of gamma linolenic acid (GLA), a fatty acid that is used by the body to produce prostaglandin E1, one of several natural chemicals that reduce inflammation. A small British study of women with breast cancer showed that taking a combination of GLA (which is also found in evening primrose oil) and the anti-cancer drug tamoxifen significantly sped up the women's response to the medication. Borage seed oil is sold in capsules; follow directions on the packet.

4. Elder
Traditionally used to soothe sore throats, it is the powerful anti-oxidants in this herb that seem to give it its anti-viral properties. In test tube studies, an elderberry extract has been shown to inhibit a variety of flu viruses. If using a syrup or tincture, follow label directions. Or simmer two teaspoons of dried elderflower tea (from your health food store) in one cup of water for 10 minutes; drink several times daily.

5. Ginseng
Ginseng is renowned as an adaptogen, so called because it helps the body adapt to all sorts of stresses. Traditional Chinese medical (TCM) practitioners use it to help the body recover from illness as well as to increase mental and physical stamina. The most convincing experiments so far come from Denmark, where ginseng was shown to stimulate white blood cells to clear bacterial infections more effectively, as well as reduce damage to affected cells.


Have a great trip and happy holidays! :D

[jphaas]

Great stuff, Ryan. Thanks so much for the rapid reply!! :D

Jon

[Vbrown]

That's a great list!

Another thing that is handy is to carry a small bottle of liquid hand sanitizer and use it often the moment you step into the airport. You are in a giant petri dish and touching all those surfaces is just begging to move those bugs inside.

Have a safe trip and be well!

Vince

[Jarlo Ilano]

Jon,

Have fun in the P.I. ! I was there last year to visit my parents. I wish I could have gone during the holidays, it's great fun over there Christmas and New Year's. If you like the whole fireworks and guns shooting off thing. :wink:

Remember, no ice in your beverages! It was beer and soda in the bottle for me when I was there. :lol:

[Arluk]

Take some liquid grapefruit seed extract every morning and evening in a glass of water. Its has very powerful anti-fungal and anti-parasitic qualities, one drawback is that it tends to kill off some benificial bacteria with long term use (3-4 weeks daily), but since your taking the probiotic as well it should be just fine.

[jphaas]

Jarlo,

Salamat! I'll be careful of the ice in my drinks... after a few San Miguels it's hard to remember! :D

Marty,

Thanks for the tip. I'll give it a shot.

Vince,

Great idea about the hand sanitizer. Thanks!