Echinacea

[Guest]

Has anybody ever used Echinacea for immune support? What were the results? Good or bad? Is there anything else you'd suggest instead of Echinacea?

 

Acetyl-l-carnitine helps the mood and energy issues I've experienced from chelation, but I still have yet to find something for being sick so much. On Thursday I came down with a 102 fever. I think it was basically the achy flu, as strep was negative. I was told that chelation ususally doesn't cause fevers of 102, only low-grade fevers. I was thinking of possibly trying Echinacea for one week/month.

 

Carolyn

[Chemar]

Hi Carolyn

I am a big fan of Echinacea, specifically the one in a combo blend with Goldenseal

I have always heard that it is a good idea to take it for about a month and then have a month off

I believe it is helping to keep colds and flu at bay in our family

 

I also like grapeseed extract(pycnogenol) which we use in the "plus" form where it is blended with green tea extract, selenium, bilberry and citrus bioflavinoids.

 

Some people seem to also laud the benefits of colloidal silver for immuno support, as well as a liquid product called Cell Food

[Guest]

Thanks Chemar,

 

What brand of Echinacea/Goldenseal combo do you use?

 

Carolyn

[Chemar]

I have tried many different brands, but I am very happy with the Vitamin Shoppe own brand (as I am with so many of their products) It has the same potency and purity of the more expensive brands at half the price!!!

You can buy it direct from one of their stores or online a http://www.vitaminshoppe.com

I have a store real close to me so I tend to use them a lot and have one of their special cards which gives me discounts and cash back on purchases

 

I have also been ordering many of our supplements from iHerb...now called PapaNature. I have always used their excellent Natural Pharmacy resources to learn about supplements, but they have REALLY good prices on brand name supplements and often carry things that the Vitamin Shoppe dont. PLUS they are so very reasonable on shipping.

 

They carry a wide range of echinacea/goldenseal products

http://www.papanature.com

[Guest]

Chemar,

 

Is your son allergic to Ragweed? I was reading and saw that persons with a Ragweed allergy should be careful with Echinacea because their in the same family. Ragweed was my worst allergy.

 

Carolyn

[Chemar]

good that you spotted that Carolyn

 

no, my son has no ragweed allergies

[Guest]

Chemar,

 

Just looking at the name, does grapeseed have anything to do with grapes? Is it something one wouldn't want to use if you have a delayed reaction to grapes?

 

Also what about Colloidal silver and an allergy to silver?

 

So if any of those aren't options, any other ideas?

 

Have you heard of virastop? http://vitaminlady.com/Enzymedica/Virastop.asp I hear it mentioned all the time on the Autism borads.

 

Carolyn

[Chemar]

Hi Carolyn

Grapeseed extract IS taken from the seeds of grapes

 

Colloidal silver has actual silver content

 

I would therefore avoid those if you have sensitivity to grapes and silver!

 

I had not heard of the Enzymedica Virastop before

 

I do however have personal experience with MonoLaurin, which is Lauric acid from coconuts and that is an EXCELLENT antibacterial/antifungal/antiviral....ie a general antimicrobial

It is available through the Vitamin Shoppe

http://www.vitaminshoppe.com/store/en/brow....jsp?id=CV-1068

 

Also

OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT is very good to fight bacterial or viral illness, as is Goldenseal and Garlic

 

METAGENICS makes some really good IMMUNE SUPPORT formulae

http://www.metagenics.com/products/catalog...p?type=2&val=13

[Guest]

Chemar,

 

It would be so much easier if I wasn't allergic to so much. After talking with my acupuncturist about Echinacea being in the same family as Ragweed and having to be careful with Echinacea, she suggested just trying it and see. She's really allergic to Ragweed, but doesn't have a problem with Echinacea. I decided to give it a try for about a week and see if it helps. So far I've seen no tic increase, etc. with it.

 

Carolyn

[Giselle]

Hi Carolyn, we have great success with Lauracidin which is a brand of Monolaurin - made from coconut (in case you're allergic). But it is the lipid portion. As Chemar says, it is antifungal (great for yeast), antiviral, antibacterial. It comes as tiny beads, you take a scoop and swallow with water - very bitter if chewed!

 

I find that the best way for Hoyt to keep in tip top shape is to get lots of rest (he needs more than most as you probably do too, especially chelating) and I also make sure he gets acidophilus/bifidus - by keeping his gut healthy he is able to fight more readily.

 

Lastly, his DAN doctor suggested that his lacking immune system was partially related to lagging adrenal function. He told me that to give it a little boost he should have a small amount of caffeinated tea in the morning. I was amazed how well that worked, still if he has a late night he most always gets a canker sore - it's that touch and go. We found a great natural product for this called Canker Melts by Oral Health.

 

Good luck,

Giselle