Pediatric+Common+Colds

=Common Cold - Gan Mao= We are most vulnerable to colds and influenza during the long winter. Many people suffer not only from the respiratory symptoms of cold and flu, but can also fall victim to various complications of these diseases, some of which can be serious. Children, the elderly, and people with chronic illness or compromised immune systems are especially prone to complications. Parents worry about their children bringing home infections from school.

Right now, the best way Western medicine has of dealing with these diseases is the widespread use of flu shots, which encourage the immune system to "gear up" for the most prevalent type of flu. However, while flu shots can avert the most serious consequences of infection, they cannot prevent or cure the common cold.

Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
The single best way to protect against the flu is to get vaccinated each year. There are two types of vaccines: The "flu shot"— an inactivated vaccine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The nasal-spray flu vaccine — a vaccine made with live, weakened flu viruses that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influenza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (FluMist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant. Each vaccine contains three influenza viruses-one A (H3N2) virus, one A (H1N1) virus, and one B virus. The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and scientists' estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About 2 weeks after vaccination, antibodies that provide protection against influenza virus infection develop in the body. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine When to Get Vaccinated Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, January, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza seasons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.

Who Should Get Vaccinated
In general, anyone who wants to reduce their chances of getting the flu can get vaccinated. However, it is recommended by ACIP that certain people should get vaccinated each year. They are either people who are at high risk of having serious flu complications or people who live with or care for those at high risk for serious complications. During flu seasons when vaccine supplies are limited or delayed, ACIP makes recommendations regarding priority groups for vaccination. Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine People who should get vaccinated each year are: Children aged 6 months up to their 19th birthday Pregnant women People 50 years of age and older People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: a. Health care workers b. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu c. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated)

Use of the Nasal Spray Flu Vaccine It should be noted that vaccination with the nasal-spray flu vaccine is always an option for healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.

A Shot In The Dark
Ever wonder how the flu shot is made? Vaccine researchers make it by GUESSING what type of the flu virus will be around to spread the flu a year in advance. They narrow the choices to three virus strains, collect sample body fluids from infected people from countries like China and Australia, breed the viruses months in advance of the flu season, develop the vaccine and use Americans as the guinea pigs! How scientific! Plus, there are NO safety studies before releasing the vaccine and NO studies on the flu shot’s long term effects on your health! Big pharmaceutical companies make sure to stock up their cellars with massive quantities of the flu shot in time for the "flu season." Because flu season is just like football season – it lasts for several weeks and it’s the perfect time to make a lot of money!

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has done a good job scaring people out of their wits by exaggerating the number of American flu deaths. The CDC reported that in 2005, 36,000 people died because of the flu. But if you look more closely at the data, you will find out that the CDC combined the pneumonia and flu death counts together to hide the fact that only 1,806 people actually died from the flu! Was this done to give “Big Pharma” a helping hand and convince more people to take the flu shot A Shot In The Dark The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has done a good job scaring people out of their wits by exaggerating the number of American flu deaths. The CDC reported that in 2005, 36,000 people died because of the flu. But if you look more closely at the data, you will find out that the CDC combined the pneumonia and flu death counts together to hide the fact that only 1,806 people actually died from the flu! Was this done to give “Big Pharma” a helping hand and convince more people to take the flu shot Shots of Sickness - Mercola

All types of vaccines carry the risk of dangerous side effects and can cause long term damage to your health. The flu shot is no exception. In 1976, vaccination for the swine flu - a flu pandemic that never materialized – resulted in hundreds of paralysis victims as well as countless deaths from the Guillain-Barré Syndrome, a rare disease that attacks the immune system. Also, a study showed that a person getting five consecutive flu shots increases his/her risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease ten times more than if he/she had zero, one or two shots. This is because the flu shot and other vaccines contain mercury (from thimerosal, a mercury derivative) and aluminum. Mercury has also been linked to the dramatic increase of autism in young children, coinciding with rising vaccination rates. But mercury and aluminum are not the only toxic substances in the flu shot because it also contains:

Shots of Sickness - Mercola

Formaldehyde - a carcinogenic disinfectant used as a preservative in vaccines Phenol - an acid known to cause skin burns, liver damage, dark urine, irregular heartbeat, and death Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) - a chemical that can cause cardiovascular dysfunction and kidney failure, and Chick embryos Would you inject your body with this virtual “witches’ brew” of toxic substances? You don’t need to because you don’t need the flu shot to beat the flu!

Shots of Sickness - Mercola In addition to making sure your vitamin D levels are in the optimal range, the following tips are surefire ways to improve the function of your immune system and greatly reduce your chances of getting the flu this winter: Avoid sugar. Get plenty of sleep. Exercise regularly. Eat according to your nutritional type. Eat garlic regularly. Support yourself during stressful times

Shots of Sickness - Mercola http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/11/18/do-flu-shots-work-ask-a-vaccine-manufacturer.aspx BMJ 2006;333:912-915 (28 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.38995.531701.80]

Stats of flu shots protection: Same with and without the vaccine. Thimerisol is still in shots

So what else should we do? Elder-Ginger Syrup is another staple in my winter medicine cabinet. Israeli virologists have found that elderberry extract has been shown to be specifically active against the influenza virus, blocking replication very effectively. Elder has many other health attributes as well, and is exceptionally safe - even for my toddler. All of that, and it’s quite tasty, too

So what else should we do?

Simmer 1 cup dried elder berries in 2 cups distilled water for 30 minutes. Strain well. Return to pot and add 4 tablespoons grated ginger. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain again, return to pot, and simmer over low heat to reduce liquid to 1 cup. Add 1 cup of honey, organic sugar or maple syrup, and 1/4-cup brandy as a preservative. Use 1 tablespoon 4 times a day at the first sign of flu, or take daily as a preventative. Very nice added to hot teas, or just in hot water with some lemon.

Everyone runs to the health food store for echinacea-goldenseal tincture when they have a cold, and for good reason—it’s one of the foundation items for fighting colds and flu and stimulating immune activity to assist in throwing off viral or bacterial infection. But please - $15 for 1 ounce? You can do better than that.

Take 1 ounce each of (all organically grown please!) echinacea root, goldenseal or Oregon grape root (similar benefits, but Oregon grape root has not been drastically over harvested like goldenseal, and is therefore considerably less expensive), and hyssop, and a half-ounce of licorice root and dried ginger.

Coarsely grind the herbs (a coffee grinder works beautifully here) and place in a quart glass jar. Add 20 ounces of high quality vodka or brandy (100 proof vodka is preferred for stronger medicine, but many prefer the taste of brandy), cover, and shake well. As with the vinegar extract above, you’ll need to shake it every day (adding extra “magic” if you like) for at least two weeks. Then strain well through cheesecloth, and store in amber glass bottles. Take a few droppers every few hours at the first sign of a cold or flu. This will often knock out a “bug” very rapidly

OR:

Top Antiviral Herbs in Chinese Medicine
Isatis (Ban Lan Gen) is one of the leading anti-viral herbs. In a study of over 11,000 people who were exposed to mumps, the infectious manifestation was forestalled by using a decoction of woad root. Woad root tea is the most popular herbal tea to prevent and treat flu in China. Indigo leaf (Da Qing Ye) shares similar properties with indigo root. In a study of 100 people, only 10% of the treatment group that took a indigo leaf decoction twice daily had upper respiratory infections during the study period, while 24% of the control group had infections.

Forsythia Fruit (Lian Qiao) is a pointed, oval-shaped capsule with a hard shell. Because of its anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunity-enhancing properties, forsythia fruit is widely used to treat common cold, influenza, swelling and pain in the throat, and skin inflammation. Honeysuckle Flower (Jin Yin Hua) is named "gold-and-silver flower" in Chinese. Research indicates that this flower bud can deactivate the PR8 strain of influenza virus. The study also indicates that honeysuckle works wonderfully to treat other infectious diseases, including pneumonia and viral conjunctivitis. Baical Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) is the dried root of scutellaria. It is an anti-viral agent, effective against influenza viruses. This herb and its active substance, baicalin, are used in the treatment of upper respiratory infections, either bacterial or viral.

Effective Herbal Formulas in Chinese Medicine
In traditional Chinese medicine, patterns are differentiated according to the imbalances of the body and the causes and stages of the disease. Herbal formulas (combinations of herbs) are always recommended by practitioners because they are stronger and more effective than single herbs. I will discuss three patterns of cold and flu symptoms, and the appropriate formulas for each type.

Wind-Heat Pattern:
fever; headache; sweating; a running nose with yellowish-colored mucus; dry mouth; thirst; sore throat; productive coughing with thick yellowish phlegm; a thin, yellow tongue coating; and a floating and rapid pulse. Cold and Flu Formula (Yin Qiao San) is the most popular herbal formula to treat the Wind-Heat pattern. Wind-Heat Clearing (Sang Ju Yin) and Lung Heat Clearing (Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang) are also basic formulas for cold and flu of the Wind-Heat pattern. Wind/heat Cold & Flu Formula (Yin Qiao San)

Wind-Cold Pattern:
aversion to cold; mild fever; absence of sweat; chest congestion; sneezing; running nose with clear mucus; itching throat, or a cough with clear mucus; a thin, white tongue coating; and a tight pulse. Wind-Cold Formula (Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang) is commonly used for cold and flu of the Wind-Cold type. Among others, Cinnamon Decoction (Gui Zhi Tang), Minor Blue Dragon Decoction (Xiao Qing Long Tang), and Cnidium and Tea Formula (Chuan Qiong Cha Tiao San) are also widely used. Wind-Cold Formula (Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang) [Notopterygium (Qiang Huo), Ledebouriella (Fang Feng), Atractylodes (Cang Zhu ), Asari (Xi Xin), Cnidium (Chuan Xiong), Dahurian Angelica (Bai Zhi), Rehmania (Shen Di Huang), Skullcap (Huang Qin), Licorice (Gan Cao), Poria (Fu Ling), Licorice (Gan Cao), Astragalus (Huang Qi), Cinnamon (Rou Gui)]

Dr. Flaws uses the following formula: Jing Jie Bai Du San Jia Jian: Chai hu, Qian Hu (pseucedani), Qiang Huo (Noptorygiium), Du Huo (Angelica Pubescens), Jing Jie (Schizonetpetae), Fang Feng (Ledebouriella Root), Chuan Xiang, Jie Geng (Platycodon), BoHe, Fu Ling, Gan Cao, Sheng Jiang No Fever : No chai hu, Du Huo and Qiang Huo, sinus congestion, - Xin Yi (magnolia), Cang Er Zi (Xanthium)

Deficiency Pattern: Most people with chronic illness fall into the Deficiency category. They are the targets of cold and flu during every seasonal change and in every flu season. Their energy is low, their immune systems are weak, and they have trouble recovering from prolonged illness. Women with a Deficiency condition often catch a cold before every menstrual cycle.

When Deficiency-pattern people are hit by cold or flu, they should use either Cold & Flu Formula or Wind-Cold Formula, depending upon whether their illness falls into the Wind-Heat type or the Wind-Cold type. Once cold or flu symptoms are gone, other formulas can be taken to strengthen the immune system and prevent recurrence of disease. Immunenergy (Shi Quan Da Bu Wan) is a well-known tonic for the immune system. Qi Spleen Tonic (Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan), Spleen Heart Tonic (Gui Pi Wan), Kidney Yin Tonic (Liu Wei Di Huang Wan) and Kidney Yang Tonic (Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan) are also popular formulas which tonify the immune system

Summer-heat Invasion:
High fever with no sweating, headache, body heaviness and tired, nausea, stuffy chest, poor appetite, or vomiting, diarrhea, or nasal congestion, cough
 * T:** red, greasy coat
 * P:** rapid
 * Herbal Treatment:** Xin Jia Xiang Ru Yin

Phlegm: Wind-cold: San Ao Tang Su zi Wind-heat: Sang Bai Pi, Dai Ge San With Severe Asthma: + Ting Li Zi, Dai Zhe Shi Food Stagnation: +Shen Qu, Shan Zha, Mai Ya, Ji Nei Jin, Zhi Ke, Bao He Wan Constipation: Da Huang, Mang Xiao

Fright convulsions: + Can Tui, Gou Teng, Jiang Can Or Xiao Er Hui Chun Dan

Tai Yang: Qiang Huo (p54 Chen) Shao Yang: Chai Hu Yangming: Bai Zhi - Angelica Dahuricae Tai Yin: Cang Zhu - Atractolodes Shaoyang: Xi Xin Jueyin: Wu Zhu Yu - Evodia

Immune and energy Formula (Shi Quan Da Bu Tang) [Angelica (Dang Gui), Cnidium (Chuan Qiong), Peony (Bai Shao), Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang), Ginseng (Ren Shen), Atractylodes (Bai Zhu)]

There are other formulas for colds: Gan Mao deals with lung system disorders resembling the common cold which include sudden onset, sore throat, fever, head ache and nasal discharge. Babies can easily have high fevers which will attack the liver causing convulsions and spasms (int. wind). If the heat attacks the spleen they will have vomiting or diarrhea. Wind Cold – Mild: Cong Chi Tang Severe: Jing Fang Bai Du San With cough with Xing Su San Wind Heat: Yin Qiao san -With more cough: Sang Ju Yin Epidemic influenza - add Da Qing Ye, Pu gong Ying, Ban Lan Gen Or - Chai Gu Jie Ji Tang Complicated - Cold and Heat - Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang Summer Heat - Xing Jia Xiang Ru Yin

Severe diarrhea (dampness) - Ge Gen Qing Liang Tang Deficiency - Chronic colds 2x per month for 3 consecutive months! Easily sweat, low or no fever - Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang Common Cold Complicated With: Food Stag. - Bao he Wan (Shen qu Shan Zha, Mai Ya Ji Nei Jin, Zhi Ke or Bao He Wan) Phlegm - Er Chen Tang (cold) Sang Bai Pi or San Ao Tang/ Hai Ge Qiao (warm) Prevention: wind cold - Cong Bai, Sheng Jiang, Feng Mi – ear points -I love using elderberry and garlic – goes well with kids Wind heat - Ban Lan gen

Acupuncture: GB20, Li4, Li11, GV14, Lu7, SJ5 …. HA: Tai Yang, ear points Cough with phlegm: CV22, Lu5, St 40 Body Aching: Liv3, Sp21

Abdominal pain: St25, St36 Nausea and vomiting: PC6, St36 Sore throat: Lu11, Lu10 Dry sore throat: Lu6, or Li6 Nasal congestion: Li20, Bl10, Ear: Nose, throat, internal secretion

JTCM Mar 2001- Clinical Obs. of Infantile Respiratory Inf. – MOXA Tx JTCM Vol 20 #3 Sept 2000 –217 cases of winter Disease txed with Acupoint Stim in Summer Tonsillitis- Moxa GV 14, TW 16, K6 (brief moxa only), LI10; 10 – 20 minutes 1-2 x/wk Increased WBC, decreased vascular permeability (inflammation), histamine release, increased phagocytosis, and increased endorphins. The American journal of Acup-1998 Vol26 P. 160 - Ding chuan, Bl13, 17, 23 Lu2 Def: Lu 9, St 36, Bl12,13 Excess- Li6, CV21,12 Sputum Li4 and plasters

Results: IGA elevated, but no change in IGG Disease prevention- Ear points- Adrenal, Int Sec, Dermis, Spleen, Liver, these points decreased illness-colds and flu’s 80%. JTCM Vol 20 #3 Sept 2000 I have a respiratory tincture that works fabulously – Skullcap B, Thyme, Fennel, Hyssop, Yerba Santa, elderberry, poplar, yinchiao, glycerrhinated Echinacea. Just elderberry works great for mild cases. Maybe garlic if cold My tincture W/ asthma: … Khella, Lobelia, Cratagus, Coleus EHB, Ambrotose, garlic…. Tuinah

This study compared the combination formula Kan Jang to amantadine in patients diagnosed with influenza. 540 patients were enrolled. 71 received either 2 tablets andrographis extract (88.8mg) and 3 tablets of Eleutherococcus (10.0mg) 3 times daily for 3 to 5 days. The 469 patients in the control group received amantadine or another physician-preferred anti-viral medicine. The primary outcome measures were disease severity as measured by complication development and disease duration as measured by length of sick leave. In the Kan Jang group 30.1% of patients progressed to complicated influenza compared to 67.8% in the control group. The Kan Jang group experienced a shorter duration of symptoms of approximately 6 to 7 days as compared to the control group's 9 to 10 days. In a second phase of the study 66 patients, the Kan Jang group's days of sick leave were fewer (7.2 days) as compared to the control group (9.8 days). Additionally, 31.4% of the Kan Jang group developed post-influenza complications as compared to 71.0% in the control group. The authors suggest that Kan Jang may represent an effective treatment for reducing the duration and severity of influenza infections. Kulichenko LL, Kireyeva LV, Malyshkina EN, Wikman G. A randomized, controlled study of Kan Jang versus amantadine in the treatment of influenza in Volgograd. J Herb Pharmacother 2003;3(1):77-93.