Optimal Health

It’s The Cold and Flu Season:

The cold and Flu Season has officially arrived and there is a lot you can do to help boost your immune system during this time of year.  The number one most effective treatment is getting frequent acupuncture sessions.  

All of my patients who receive acupuncture say they feel so much stronger - and those that do get a cold or flu, say they got over it so much more quickly than their friends.

Here is the list of supplements and homeopathics you can use to boost your immune system - both for prevention and treatment:

Dr. Martin’s Immunity Regimen:

Stage 1:  The Beginning: (Also use this in lower doses for prevention)

A friend recently emailed me the following question: Can I start taking a pro-biotic supplement while I’m taking an anti-biotic? Or is that going to undermine the effectiveness of the anti-biotic? Or will the anti-biotic just kill the pro-biotics anyway?

This is a common question and misconception. My answer: Take the pro-biotic. This same situation came up with one of my patients last week. They developed a strep throat infection and needed to go to work, and didn’t have the time or interest in taking a homeopath or herbs. So I recommended he take an anti-biotic so as not to risk missing work or giving the infection to his co-workers, and I also recommended that he immediately go on a pro-biotic.

(By the way, for those of you who are not familiar with the term pro-biotics, this refers to a wide spectrum of supplements meant to help your gut - your digestive tract - work more efficiently. The contents of these supplements naturally occurs in your gut, but are often in short supply, especially after the use of an antibiotic. Some such pro-biotics include the following: L. acidophilus, Bifidus, L. plantarum, among other “good” bacteria.)

I always also recommend that you keep up the pro-biotic for a month or so after stopping the antibiotic. It’s actually good to take pro-biotics one a day anyhow, to keep both the immune system and the digestive system, both closely connected, in good overall shape.

If the problem continues, and the reason you had to take the antibiotic doesn’t get better, even after the recommended dose of antibiotics, try to remember that there are great homeopathics and/or herbal formulas that are sometimes even more effective than antibiotics. Just ask, and we can get you on the appropriate regimen.

In the meantime, while you are on the anti-biotic, you should also always be on immunity supplements in order to build the immune system, since the antibiotic only kills, and doesn’t in any way support the immune system. So try the following regimen, in conjunction with the antibiotics: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, beta carotene, astragalus, shitake mushroom formula, echinecea and golden seal, and any others you already know about.

Specific homeopathics must be chosen based on the specific type of infection, and the causes of the infection, and are too numerous to generalize in this article.

I am often asked by patients about the risks of long-term usage of the herb Echinacea.  Many authorities have told us of the health risks.  While I agree that the long-term use of any herbal product can potentially cause side-effects, I have never in my clinical practice seen that Echinacea in particular has been any more dangerous than any other herbal product taken over a long period of time.

Many of my patients have been taking Echinacea throughout the cold and flu season and done great.  In general, no herb should be taken more than 4 weeks, but everyone is an individual, and has individual responses to herbs.  Some people develop allergies to certain herbs after only a week or so, and other people can take herbs for a longer time with no negative side effects.

In general, and according to Chinese medical theory, it is always best not to take individual herbs.  Combination herbs are far superior and work better in all ways.  They also have less side-effects.  So if you take Echinacea, get it as a formula with other immune enhancing herbs.

In an article published in the Alternative Medicine Review, Volume 6, Number 4, 2001, numerous clinical studies of Echinacea were cited.  All of them found that in the numerous clinical studies cited, there was nothing to support any limitations on the longer term use of Echinacea.

The article states that Echinacea is good for colds, the flu, chronic autoimmune disorders, leukemia, allergies, MS and other chronic immune problems.

In general, I suggest getting on a good immune regimen during the cold and flu season.  This should include a wide variety of herbs and supplements.  My patients and I work out a variety of programs geared specifically to their individual health issues.

We all suffer from occasional insomnia. The causes are many, but for the most part, most of us are under quite a bit of stress, and whether it’s the mind that won’t shut off, or the restlessness of the body, the effect is the same: Sleepless nights, and a subsequent day of feeling foggy and “out of it”. My thanks to Amy Rothenberg, ND for the inspiration for this brief article on homeopathy for insomnia.

For most of my patients, there are generally two types of insomnia. The first type is when you can’t fall asleep, and the second type is when you wake up in the middle of the night. My recommendation is to try taking the homeopathic remedy upon falling asleep. But if you awake in the middle of the night, you may need to take another dose at that time. Also, please don’t drink a lot of liquids before bed if you tend to wake up to go to the bathroom. Get your liquids in throughout the day instead.

Our first remedy is Arsenicum album. This one is useful for people who have a lot of anxiety, agitation and restlessness. This one works great during a cold or flu when you also can’t get to sleep. Patients who need this remedy are generally tidy, chilly and feel most restless just after midnight. More of the controlling personality types.

Our next remedy is quite a bit different from Arsenicum album. It’s called Calcarea carbonica and is useful when a person feels overwhelmed with life and just can’t calm down and turn off after work. The person’s type is usually sweaty, with wet palms of hands, might be a bit overweight, tends to be shy, and is often constipated. This is the responsible type who is supporting a family and doing more than their fair share. Dependable types.

One of the more common homeopathic remedies for sleepless nights is actually one called Coffea cruda. This remedy works great when you can’t turn off the mind and feel agitated, as if you have just drank a lot of caffeine before bedtime. This person will be the nervous type and easily excited. They may have no trouble getting to sleep, but might wake up around 3 am and have trouble getting back to sleep.

Gelsemium is a great remedy for people who keep thinking about some event coming up, like a performance or exam, or big date of some type. Usually thought of as a flu and cold remedy, this one also works great when the eyes are drooping and tired, and you just cannot get fully to sleep. Especially good when you have chills up and down the spine and feel like you lack the courage to continue.

Ingatia amara is the first remedy to think of when sleeplessness is due to grief or loss. I can’t tell you how often I’ve given this remedy successfully to people who are experiencing grief, like the loss of a spouse or pet. It works amazingly well, when the reason for laying awake is from grief or sadness. There may be sighing, sobbing or a lot of yawning. The mood is changeable and they may be lots of tears.

There are many other homeopathic remedies for insomnia, but this should give you a good start. For occasional insomnia, just take a few pills of 12C potency before bed or when you wake in the middle of the night. If you have insomnia all the time, it’s best to consult with me, so we can pick a remedy that better matches, and also run a test of your various blood, hormones and neurotransmitters levels. This way we can more scientifically choose the right products for you.

There are some wonderful Chinese herbal products for insomnia as well, and I just want to touch a few of them now:

Schizzandra ZZZ
Grandma’s Sleep Formula
CH34

The best way to deal with insomnia is to take the saliva test to determine exactly which neurotransmitters in the brain are either overstimulated or lacking. This way we can choose the right products and homeopathics more quickly.

Best of luck on your path to wellness.

The following options are discussed to help you decide if any holistic methods might be right for you, either to treat a problem you are having, or just to help you acheive the emotional and physical health goals you are currently working on.

De-fin-i-tions
(to be definite; to know; understanding)

1. Classical Homeopathy - the most effective, deepest acting treatment; uses minuscule amounts of plant, animal or mineral substances to stimulate the body to heal itself; the prescription is based on a complete evaluation of all physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual patterns in an individual. In Classical Homeopathy, we use the emotional symptoms to point us in the direction of where to treat the imbalance in the body. Symptoms become metaphors, or symbols, for where imbalances are, either emotionally or spiritually. For example, asthma might be used as an indication of some long-standing unresolved grief or loss; urinary tract infections, a symbol of suppressed anger or resentment; low back pain could be a sign of fear or feelings of being overwhelmed, etc.

Your physical symptoms will all eventually be cured using Classical Homeopathy, but as a part of the process, you will also feel much better and happier emotionally. This type of treatment will take from six months to two or more years. Training to become a Classical Homeopath takes many years of study and is highly specialized. Most good Classical Homeopaths study for at least five years before getting good results. Few homeopaths have the patience to dedicate their lives to this type of intensive in-depth study and discipline.

2. Constitutional Homeopathy - similar to Classical Homeopathy, but in some homeopathic circles, this term is used to describe a method where only one, single remedy is used throughout one’s lifetime. In reality, each person has many constitutional layers and requires many remedies in their life. Constitutional Homeopaths use only one dose of one remedy. In reality, as we evolve, we often need to move from one remedy to the next, (even though in some cases, we may need to stay on only one remedy for a number of years,) and may need to take the remedy daily.

3. Acute Homeopathy - in acute homeopathic prescribing, we don’t place an emphasis on the emotional factors involved in disease; rather, we directly treat, and place our emphasis on removing the physical symptoms as quickly as possible. We do, however, look at the causal factor, which in many cases does include an emotional component. For instance, did the cold or flu begin from the emotional stress of a broken relationship, when out in a cold rain or wind or was the cause from lack of sleep and reduced resistance to infection? Is the constipation caused from a difficulty in letting go, a craving for meat or from not drinking enough water. Acute homeopathy will treat every physical symptom known to man, and treat it quite effectively, and in most cases very quickly. But it won’t be a long-term cure as in Classical Homeopathy.
.
4. Oriental Medicine - This encompasses many disciplines and treatment types, including acupressure massage, acupuncture, Chinese nutritional medicine, Chinese manipulation (similar to chiropractic) and Chinese herbal medicine. There are many different ways to practice Oriental Medicine, including Five Element Theory, Yin/Yang Theory, Acute prescribing and Korean constitutional prescribing. I use TCM, or Traditional Chinese Medicine most, and place an emphasis on the pulse and tongue diagnostic methods. I do not believe in the use of highly technical computer analysis, but use the more traditional techniques of facial observation and Five Element analysis which have been effectively used for thousands of years to diagnose and treat illness.

5. Chinese Herbal Medicine - This method of herbal medicine is based on the diagnostic methods described in the paragraph above on Oriental Medicine. In this case, however, we use herbs, in addition to or instead of acupuncture, to create the most dramatic and quick curative action that is possible. Chinese herbology usually utilizes formulas containing many different herbs rather than just the individual herbs used in the Western approach. This method is very effective in treating chronic illness and preventing future illness from occurring. There are wonderful Chinese herbal formulas for almost every type of illness, ranging from high blood pressure, menopausal symptoms, high cholesterol, migraine headaches, PMS, ADD, insomnia, colitis, allergies and many other illnesses that plague modern society and which have no know cure in Western medicine.

6. Western Herbal Medicine - This approach to herbal medicine uses herbs primarily found on the North American and European continents. This method generally uses single herbs in order to achieve very specific results. There are wonderful single herbs such as Vitex, Dong Quai, Echinacea, Astragalus, Goldenseal, White Willow Bark, Milk Thistle and others, which can be used to build immunity, balance hormones and eliminate many types of pain.

7. Five Element Acupuncture - This method of diagnosis and treatment utilizes the Five Elements of Earth, Fire, Water, Metal and Wood. The Five Elements are a metaphor for the five primary organ functions in the body: spleen/stomach, heart/small intestines, kidney/bladder, lung/large intestines, and gall bladder/liver. Each organ and grouping of organs has an emotional component as well. Utilizing this type of understanding, we can treat constitutionally as well as symptomatically.

8. Acute Acupuncture - This method utilize specific acupuncture formulas which are designed to treat the acute problems you want to treat. This is the type of acupuncture that most medical doctors study, since it only requires a few weekends of study. It requires many years of concentrated study to practice the deeper-acting Five Element and Constitutional acupuncture.

9. Constitutional Acupuncture - This method utilizes the tongue and pulse diagnosis to assess and then design a treatment plan to treat from a deeper, more holistic framework than the Acute Acupuncture approach. Many very serious and even life-threatening health problems can be totally cured using this method.

10. Bio-chemical Nutritional Analysis - This method of analysis utilizes the Health Equations Program to assess the functional status of your electrolytes and minerals. We start from a Chem Panel and CBC and then do a comprehensive analysis utilizing the basic data from your blood tests.

11. Body-Type Nutritional Analysis - There are many types of Body-Type Analysis. Just a few of the possibilities are Yin/Yang and Five Element Analysis, Endocrine Organ Analysis and Metabolic Typing, among others.

12. Five Element Nutritional Analysis - This is based on the Five Element Analysis discussed above.

13. Yin/Yang Nutritional Analysis - This is based on assessing your balance of Yin and Yang and working with the diet to change the imbalance in Yin and Yang. If your Yin and Yang is in proper balance, it’s very hard for you to become ill. Balanced Yin and Yang is the foundation and cornerstone of balance and Optimal Health.

14. Vitamin/Mineral Supplementation - In our culture, most people need vitamin and mineral Supplementation because very few of us eat properly. In addition, most of us operate on such a high level of stress that we need more of certain vitamins and minerals than in times past. The soil our food is grown on is also almost totally depleted of organic minerals and because of this we need to supplement our diets. Even most organic food is not as complete as in times past.

15. Neurotransmitter Testing & You take a test kit home and obtain samples of your urine and saliva. These samples will tell the lab which of your neurotransmitters are either high or low. The types of problems that will respond very well to this type of testing include anxiety, insomnia, ADD, ADHD, depression, fear, worry, nervous disorders, headaches, chronic pain, PMS, Irritable Bowel, Panic Attacks, Bulimia, OCD, and substance abuse. The test results will be returned to you with a very specific list of which amino acid supplements to take to increase the neurotransmitters you are low in and to decrease the ones you are too high in.

16. Stool Tests and other Saliva Testing for Hormones & There are an assortment of other tests, which include stool, hair testing, blood testing, and others. These may also be useful in helping to determine where you are out of balance and which treatments will work best to put you into balance.

You Decide:

Educating yourself, knowing which modalities (types of treatments) you want and are most interested in, defining your treatment goals, and knowing what you are willing to do to get there, is all an invaluable portion of becoming healthier and overcoming the obstacles to loosing weight, exercising, eating right and joining in partnership with your health care team. You decide which treatment options are right for you after a discussion with Dr. Martin.

Here is a link to a really comprehensive article on the differences between herbsand homeopathy, that explains it very well.  I know that most of my patients don’t really know the difference when they first come to see me. 

Doing everything together — the one stop shop — will get you the best and fastest results!   Here is the link:http://www.newstarget.com/022392.html 

 Natural Treatments for Sore Throats 

My friend and colleague Dr. Randall Neustaedter, OMD, recently wrote this article on the Natural Treatments for Sore Throats.  I agree with his approach and this is a great article……..so I wanted to share it with you.

The only thing I wanted to point out is that sometimes I do tell my patients to use antibiotics.  The case I usually will tell them to use antibiotics is when they are either not interested in or don’t have the time to try the natural methods and remedies.

Natural methods will almost always cure sore throats.  But sometimes if you need to get back to work right away, or you have a big trip planned and need to immediately travel, you might not have the time to strengthen your immune system to fight the symptoms on their own.

Although the right homeopathic remedy with herbs,  will usually work quickly…………..depending on your immune system, it could take longer.  

Should you wish to stock your medicine chest in advance with the immune herbs, and sore throat herbs, needed to boost the immune system, feel free to email me, and we can send them out to you.  It’s always best to have everything in your medicine chest BEFORE you or your family get sick.  That way, you can start to take them at the very first sign of not feeling well.   Natural medicine works best when you use it for prevention or at the first sign of the problem.

An ancient story goes:  In Ancient China, the villagers paid the Chinese doctor a retainer fee to keep them well, and NOT when they were already sick.   Does that make sense or not???? 

Please enjoy this great article from my friend.

Constitutional Homeopathic “Snip-Its” – Find Your Remedy
Brief Notes for Fun  Question:   What is constitutional homeopathy?  Answer:  Constitutional homeopathy works on the emotions as well as the physical problems.

Question:  What is acute homeopathy?Answer:  Acute homeopathic remedies act mostly on the physical problems only, like for colds, flu, headaches, menstrual cramps, back pain, tooth pain, neck pain.

NOTE:  MY WEBSITE HAS A MORE COMPLETE DESCRIPTION AND DEFINITION OF WHAT CONSTITUTIONAL HOMEOPATHY MEANS AND THE OTHER TYPES OF TREATMENT: http://www.drrandymartin.com/services.html

Here is an example of some of the more common constitutional homeopathic remedies.   This is only a short sample, because there are hundreds of homeopathic remedies.See if you can find yourself in any of these remedies.   Homeopathy is fun, and kind of like a matching game.  See if you can match yourself to any of these remedies.1.  Arsenicum:
-hates to be ill, but loves doctors, delights in discussing all their symptoms in exquisite detail; and loves collecting doctor reports and records
-seems to enjoy his or her illness-microbe and germ-phobia, aversion to cold
-excessive and reactive to any extremes-sensitivity to the environment, allergic to lot’s of things; worse around midnight

2.  Calcarea Carbonica:
-activity fatigues them; shy; passive personality
-lacks ability to overcome emotional shocks-sensitive to criticism/fear of succeeding; shy around others; doesn’t want to be seen; fear of rats and mice and insects
-dislikes outside pressure (emotional and physical)  
-chronically late-limp handshake with cold hands  
-poorly developed teeth and jaw, high narrow dental arch, chronic sniffles and runny nose caused partly by narrowness of nasal passages 
-poor calcium metabolism (milk allergy) 
-weak bones
- might be overweight-handicapped or “slow” children often might need this remedy

3.  Ignatia:
-the “funeral remedy”
-sighs a lot
-air hunger; sighing-sorrow, shock, stress, and disappointment; take after breakup with mate or death of pet or relative to help deal with the grief more effectively
-chronic grieving, sadness, loneliness-deep depression-claustrophobic fears; great insomnia remedy-over-reactive mental state, anxiety from loss; nervous personality

4.  Lachesis:
-from the poison of the Brazilian Bushmaster snake; black and blue spots-erratic moods and behaviors; menopausal remedy; hot flashes; bruising
-split psyche “Jekyll and Hyde”
-highly emotional, switches moods and “lashes out”; strong personality; leaders; thinks they are right; wears red clothes a lot; menopausal remedy
-tendency to alcoholism or other addictions; complaints are on the left side of body; left sided tumor or cyst or sciatica

5.  Lycopodium:
-resilient self-esteem; but actually feels poorly of themselves if you know them well 
-apprears to have moderation and reasonableness; but if you know them will be angry and mean and explosive to wife and kids  
-avoids arguments except with wife or those close to them-feels detached; hard for them to genuinely connect with others-feels superior/authoritative; but underneath, feels inferior and insecure-unwilling to admit error and insecurity; always right; urinary problems; weak knees
-little confidence in physicians
-must be in charge and in control at all times
-illness offends self-esteem/ignores physical infirmities-impatient with poor health; complaints are on the right side of the body; headache; sciatica; neck or back right sided
-feels above needing medical help; should overcome sickness by willpower
-except for his main complaint, he has none when he goes to doctor
-uncooperative patient (headstrong)
-loves thunder storms

6.  Natrum muriaticum:
-potentization of table salt; absorbs and retains water and other body fluids; bloating and water retention at menses with headaches or migraines
-tendency to depression
-inability to express emotion ‘mourns the past’ can’t let go of the past-mucus retention with sinus problems; sinus infections are common
-feeling of unworthiness; excessive self-absorption
-chronic guilt; often the teacher, nurse or care-giver professionally; responsible
-retains physical pain especially unrelenting headaches; genital herpes is common
-many mouth and lip symptoms (fever blisters, herpetic blood blisters, ulceration, geographic tongue, etc.)7.  Nux vomica:
-likes spicy foods; constipation-irritable, impatient temperament (short fuse)
-addiction-prone personality, overindulgence
-nervous irritability and quick to take offense/erratic behavior
-moody isolation-nervous stomach associated with TMJ and neck pains or headaches
-high strung; insomnia (especially at 3:00am)
-never tires of performing; business man; type “A” personality; on the go
-unreliable about keeping appointments
-their fears are exaggerated by solitude; better with company
-overflow of feelings, hemorrhage
-ill effects from anesthesia; toxicity after surgery with digestive upset 8.  Psorinum:
-skin problem, dry hair-offensive odor, especially perspiration-enlarged veins
-”never well since”‘ a particular problem; psoriasis and eczema-sensitivity to environment; troubles suceeding in business and work9.  Pulsatilla:
-symptoms always change, pains wander from one part of the body to another
-sweetness, usually female remedy; sleeps with windows open and likes the out of doors; child always needs to sleep with parents and have affection
-a need to be loved by many; fears noises and thunderstorm
-strong desire to make life pleasant for her loved ones-requires support, fears loneliness
-of having no one to love or turn to for stability/protection-feeling of helplessness, inability to make up her mind, unable to say no
-reliance on others can result in her clinging to her illness; hypochondria with lengthy description of symptoms, cannot specify whether there has been an improvement or not
-tendency to self-pity but can also be the “earth mother” care taker type of person

10.  Sepia:
-predominantly female remedy; but might be more wimpy men as well
-classic picture is female seeking emancipation or wanting to be alone in convent or to meditate;  
-feels better jogging or dancing;
-trouble conceiving; low sex drive
-career woman; may wear lot’s of purple or dark blue or black clothes
-liver spots, skin eczemas; small breasted
-emotional bouts without apparent cause
-left-handed complaints; loves thunderstorms
-black moods/cold silence/indifferent/enjoys feeling martyred; wants to be left alone; -may ignore her kids or slam the door to leave kids alone
-tension headaches, nausea from smell of food, chronic sinus, rheumatism or arthritis in legs, allergic constitution, severe constipation
-woman seeks to emancipate herself from passive, receptive female role into life of action; strong female leader who knows how to get things done and take charge
-male wants to disengage from active world and lead a quieter more contemplative life/discontented with job/worn out emotionally, wants to be left alone

11.  Silica:
-potentization of common sand-the “homeopathic surgeon”; will eliminate artificial substances from the body; so watch out taking it if you have stitches or other artificial things in your body that should stay there
- because it might force them out-hardness; yet may fluctuate and have trouble deciding also-tendency to form hard lumps/growths or skin problems like acne
- cysts; cystic acne-teeth are hypo-calcified, chip easily
-cracks at corners of mouth
-obstinate/stubborn; may have a receding chin bone structure to the face
-impervious to outside pressure or influence-difficulty adapting to change
-fear of failure

12.  Staphysagria:
-righteous indignation
-low self-esteem; but very, very sweet person
-possible history of emotional and/or physical attack, or emotional abuse
-martyr; when you give this remedy, their anger may come out that was suppressed
-sexual obsessions, or high sex drive or suppressed anger; may get urinary infections after sex13.  Sulphur:
-selfishness, engrossed in his own world; many skin pimples, hives, rashes
-materialistic; collects things or has piles of stuff all over their home; dislikes baths and showers
- or their skin my flare up after bathing
-eruptive personality, with caustic aggression
-uneven distribution of body temperature, likes cold air;  feels sluggish and fatigue, tendency to nap; eczema or psoriasis is common even after steroid ointments
-erupts easily, argumentative
-Intellectualism, monopolizes conversation; very philosophical;  has many thoughts about many things

14.  Tuberculinium:
-slender build, narrow or caved in chest, anemic and frail, chest problems; ear aches; childhood ear infections and history of bronchitis and other upper respiratory problems, asthma; 
-very active; likes to travel, jog and be on the move; burns the candle at both ends; (Note:  These are a small sampling of the many constitutional homeopathic types.  When we select the correct remedy that matches most closely to the person’s behavior, and physical problems, it can cause a great transformation in physical and emotional symptoms.  The right remedy will create magnificent balance in your life and you may not need another dose of your remedy for six months after your initial dose!!!!)For more information on homeopathy, please read the chapters in my book on homeopathy, including how to take the remedy:
http://drrandymartin.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=25&products_id=70

Tips for Recovery from a Cold or Flu
The recovery phase of a cold or flu can be as difficult and challenging, both emotionally and physically, as your battle with the early onset of the illness.  There is an important strategy to follow during this recuperation phase.  If you follow this strategy, your recovery may accelerate and you may also avoid the uncomfortable reoccurrence of symptoms that are so common.

Firstly, pace yourself.  R, was in his recovery phase after more than two weeks of having battled a bad flu with high fever.  His third week was improved, and he began to see light at the end of the tunnel.  He was back at work and on his full time schedule after having missed a number of days due to heavy sweating and low grade fevers.

But once back at work, he lost sight of what was required to rebuild his health and be rid of the flu once and for all.   A common mistake which we all can make, he believed he was 100% cured, when actually he was only about 80% there.That night after work, he felt fine.  Having spent so much time recuperating, he was ready to resume tasks around the house that required both mental and physical energy to complete.  An odd plumbing job, fixing an old leak, installing a screen door, fixing a light bulb socket, and a few other tasks seemed easy enough to him.  His frustration and impatience at not having gotten anything done around the house got the best of him, and that little voice inside was saying “stop being a baby, and get something done.”  This turned out to be a mistake.

He had spent the last three weeks getting to bed rather early, and his body wasn’t used to the extra exertion that was common when he was fully well.  He also thought that he was well enough to indulge in some cookies and ice cream, which he had stayed away from during his illness.

As a result of overexertion as well as sugary foods, as soon as his head hit the pillow, he started coughing violently from the tickle in his throat he thought was licked.  The next morning, he awoke with a sore throat yet again.   Basically, he set himself back a full week as a result of not taking his recovery seriously enough.

Here are the rules I recommend my patients follow when recovering from a cold or flu:
1.  Keep your neck and throat covered and warm at all times.  When out, wear a scarf, even if it’s warm out.  Even the slightest breeze can set off a cold and sore throat when your immune system is still vulnerable.
2.  At night, rub castor oil on your neck, cover with a towel and apply a heating pad for at least 20-30 minutes before bed.  If your chest is also congested, also apply this remedy to the chest area.
3.  Take a warm Epsom salts bath before retiring.  This has not only the effect of calming and relaxing you, but it also draws out many toxins within the body, and opens the chest and sinus passages to help with breathing and alleviate problems with mucus buildup or coughing.
4.  Gargle with either salt water or with Hydrastis homeopathic tincture.  Place about 10-20 drops of the tincture in about 1/2 cup of hot distilled or bottled water and gargle five or six times before bed.
5.  Faithfully take all supplements recommended to you.  As you heal and the illness begins to subside, you may cut back on supplements.  But one of the biggest mistakes people make is to stop altogether.  Taper off slowly, and keep taking them for about one week after you are feeling better.
6.  It is very common for a cold or flu to change locations as you begin to feel better.  From the immune system, it may travel into the muscular-skeletal system.  This may take the form of various muscle aches or pains, neck and shoulder spasms and tightness or low back pain or sciatica.   It’s important not to ignore these or to misinterpret them as genuine structural problems.  Rather, treat them like a virus that has entered your muscle system.  Continue taking your anti-viral herbal and vitamin supplements and seek deep tissue body work to move the virus out of the muscles as quickly as possible.  Body work will also help move your lymph system along and quicken your healing time. Hot Epsom salt baths are recommended, as well.
7.  Eat only warming, cooked foods and drinks.  Never eat or drink anything cold; an occasional room temperature fruit or fruit juice is alright.  Hot foods help keep your meridians unblocked and your Chi flowing smoothly.  Cold causes blockage and constriction, resulting in a buildup of mucus or muscle pains.
8.  Go easy on yourself!  It’s normal to get sick and there is nothing wrong with you.  It’s also common to feel blue when sick, especially if healing isn’t quick.  For such cases, a full regimen of anti-depressant herbs and supplements, such as Glutamine, Glycine, Tyrosine, P5P, St. John’s Wart, are beneficial
9.  Be certain to change your homeopathic treatment as your symptoms change.  Often patients will be on one specific remedy for the cold or flu and then stay on it for the recovery period, or worse yet, discontinue it after they feel better.  But you need to consult with your Classical Homeopath, so that he may track your symptoms and adjust your homeopathic remedy as the symptoms are changing.  You often have to change homeopathic remedies every day or every other day to keep up matching the symptoms. 
10.  Even if you must resort to antibiotics or over the counter cold and flu medications, continue your herbal and homeopathic regime.  This is very important.  Using Western and homeopathics simultaneously is beneficial, not conflicting, but there is an art to mixing the two.  Your Homeopath can teach you how to use both optimally.  Often you can maximize the use of a prescription drug when you know which herbs or homeopathics to use, which may also enable you to heal quicker with fewer prescribed drugs.  Many such drugs can cause toxicity and sluggishness in the liver, making it that much harder to fight the virus or bacteria.  But never hesitate to take a Western medication when indicated!
11.  Receive an acupuncture treatment as quickly as possible during the recovery phase.  Acupuncture has been shown to lesson recovery time by improving the overall function of the immune system and helping the body detoxify. Follow these suggestions and I assure you a speedy, full recovery in as quick of time as is humanly possible. 

Homeopathy for Winter Colds and Immunity

Here is a nice link to a radio talk show teaching you how to treat yourself and family using homeopathy for immunity and winter problems.   This radio program is simple to follow and a must for any family member new to homeopathy  and  wanting to introduce themselves to the practical “how to” in a simple to follow audio format.Have fun, and a healthy wintertime:

http://innerhealth.us/for-clients/homeopathy-radio.html

Or a direct link to the show itself:

http://www.innerhealth.us/downloads/Radio/08/Flu_and_Homeopathy.mp3

Yours, In Health, Naturally,