ASTHMA AND BRONCHITIS

Several years ago, following hospital tests, I was diagnosed as having bronchial asthma and was advised by conventional medical practitioners to use two different inhalers. Although I would have preferred to get to the bottom of the problem, at that time I was thankful for the help and relief provided by these inhalers, but I still couldn’t help wondering what had brought on the asthma in the first place. Was it an allergy to certain items in my diet, a leftover from a cold, or perhaps something in the atmosphere? I felt there had to be a reason for it as I had always been blessed with good health. Anyway, I was obtaining a certain amount of relief from the inhalers but at the same time I was not happy about my constant use of them. Eventually I noticed the diminishing effect they were having and I began to have difficulty getting out to work in the mornings. One instance in particular stands out in my memory when I had to use my inhaler several times in order to make it.

This was when Jan de Vries took over. With patience and care he began to treat me with herbal and homoeopathic remedies, a little manipulation to help ease the breathing, and some advice on my diet. The latter is most important to respiratory sufferers, as I have proved to myself at times such as holidays and special celebrations like Christmas, when I have been tempted to stray from the “straight and narrow”. The reader will no doubt find plenty of advice in this book which, if followed conscientiously, must surely give the desired results. I can only say that Jan de Vries was responsible for pointing me in the right direction, which eventually led me to completely conquer the asthma problem with which I had been plagued for years.

Now I am happy to say my quality of life has greatly improved. I go swimming several times a week, and I am back on the dance floor enjoying myself. I think I missed dancing more than anything during those years of misery, as I had been an ardent competitive dancer for many years and consequently became professional, but with the shortage of breath I was experiencing I eventually found it difficult to continue. Also, I can now go for long walks, even in the windy weather which is prevalent in the coastal town where I live. All this I can do again without any problem, thanks to Jan de Vries.

I have therefore great pleasure in recommending this book to all who suffer breathing problems, as you must surely reap the benefit.

Now, what really is a cold? Merck’s Manual gives us a very clear definition: “an acute catarrhal infection of the respiratory tract usually with major involvement of its upper portions, and frequently involving the entire tract, referred to as an upper respiratory infection or coryza — the term used for acute nasal congestion.”

There are many causes of a common cold and it is all too often the case that it is the result of a virus. The nose, mouth and throat may become infected and inflamed, causing swelling, and sometimes such a viral infection leads to a secondary infection resulting in nasal discomfort, ranging from a watery to a thick yellow-greenish mucous discharge. In such cases common symptoms are a runny nose, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes and headaches. When a person’s immunity is low and the natural reserves are below par, for whichever reason, an ordinary common cold can result in a general debility such as a chronic infection, allergic disorders, vasomotor instability, injury to the mucous membranes and other such chronic conditions.

In many cases, however, the effects tend to be acute and can cause considerable discomfort, albeit for a relatively short period only. Sometimes the cold is accompanied by a fever, but with some sensible care the overall condition can soon be brought under control. On the whole the patient will be feeling much better within four to seven days.

However, in this book I intend to concentrate on the various conditions that could result from a common cold. I am well aware, having treated thousands of patients, that the after-effects often ascribed to a cold need not occur if sufficient care is taken in the first place. If common sense would only prevail I would be required to see fewer patients whose eventual chronic conditions can be traced back to a neglected common cold. Here we have the reason that I want to spend some time looking into the methods that can be employed to protect oneself when a cold strikes.

While I have been working on this book the weather has suddenly changed from being pleasantly mild to considerably chilly. In these circumstances the chance of infection caused by viruses is greatly increased. Unfortunately, many people forget to adapt their clothing to suit such weather by changing to woollen or cotton garments. Natural materials are always preferable to artificial fibres. People should particularly beware of draughts during a sudden change in temperature. In fact, draughts are often more damaging to the health than a sudden drop in the temperature itself. Always remember, however, that should the temperature change suddenly, there is no need to stay inside; by all means go out and enjoy the fresh air, but take care that you are suitably dressed for the elements. And again, beware of draughts.

It is also important to obtain sufficient rest, sleep and relaxation. When the body has become chilled, or when you have been out in the rain or snow, take a hot bath to get the circulation going again and so raise the body temperature. In this context I can advise a hot foot bath, especially if circumstances are such that it is not possible to totally immerse yourself in a hot bath.

Another very important factor when you are suffering from a cold is to try at all times to keep the nasal passages clear so that you can continue to breathe through the nose. Steam inhalation with the addition of some chamomile and Poho oil has a soothing effect on an inflamed respiratory tract and will aid the breathing.

As for dietary management, try and keep your diet very light. One rarely feels like eating heavy meals when feeling congested because of a cold. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, especially fruit juices that are rich in vitamin C. Eat plenty of fresh vegetables and at such times I would also advise taking a vitamin C supplement.

Contrary to popular belief, it is unwise to clear the mucous membranes too often and too thoroughly. If you simply tilt your head backwards you will find it easier to breathe through the nose; this method is also less irritating. Should the cold linger, thereby obstructing the nasal passages, try the age-old remedy of slicing an onion in half and placing both halves on a saucer by the bedside. This will bring speedy relief. Alternatively, some onion slices packed in a poultice around the throat will quickly ease the problem. You may prefer to use a nose douche prepared with a salt water solution, or to rub the chest with Poho ointment; both are excellent methods of overcoming a cold.

The first thing I would recommend in cases of a common cold is usually Dr Vogel’s marvellous remedy Echinaforce. I could fill volumes on the remedial properties of Echinaforce and this remedy must be the one I have prescribed for more ailments than any other during nearly thirty years in medical practice. In cases of flu, cold, bronchitis, and many other types of infection, Echinaforce provides a tremendous boost to the immune system. At the University of Munich a lengthy study on Echinaforce has confirmed that it possesses properties that enhance the body’s natural reserves. It seems that the polysaccharides it contains have a marked positive influence on immunity. It was also found that when viruses or micro-organisms try to spread through the body, Echinaforce has an hyaluronidase-slowing effect.

Let us remember that the white blood cells play a very important role in our immunity. Bacteria in the blood will be immediately attacked by the white blood cells and it may be astonishing to learn that a person with a body weight of 11–12 stones carries approximately 126,000,000 white blood cells in the bloodstream. These white blood cells act as defenders and with the right stimulating influence, i.e. a well-functioning immune system, they will rally into action and attack invaders. It also seems that the echinacea plant stimulates the production of natural interferon in the body. An added bonus is that Echinaforce has no side-effects whatsoever.

Over the years Professor H. Wagner, Head of the Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology at the University of Munich, has spent an enormous amount of time and energy researching the properties of echinacea. Although his research is still ongoing, he firmly believes that this wonderful remedy is of the greatest help in cases of infections — bacterial, viral and fungal.

My suggestion that Echinaforce should be taken immediately in cases of a common cold is based on my many years of experience. Moreover, the effects of this remedy can be enhanced when it is used in conjunction with the homoeopathic remedy Kalium muriaticum D6; this is especially true when the patient suffers from a blocked nose, a coated tongue, diminished hearing, an ear infection and a heavy mucus discharge. On the other hand if you are susceptible to infections, chronic sneezing, chapped lips, a dry mouth, or depressions, it would be advisable to use Natrium muriaticum D6.

When a cold refuses to disappear, people who are prone to such complaints would be advised to watch out for tiredness, high blood pressure, low temperature and depressive moods. Where children are concerned, it is especially important to check for swollen tonsils, breathing through the mouth, a chronic runny nose, excessive perspiration, a pale complexion and allergic reactions. Where these are noted dietary management should be given serious consideration. Wholefood products, including brown rice, plenty of fresh vegetables and fruit, a daily salad and the limited use of sugar and salt is important. Remember to eat slowly and be sure to include some cress, onions and garlic in the diet. People who are susceptible to the above symptoms would be wise to take a calcium supplement such as Urticalcin, which is an excellent combination of calcium silicum and one of the most popular calcium preparations as it is quickly absorbed by the body. Also remember to take plenty of exercise in the fresh air and ensure ample rest at night.

When the lining of the mucous membrane is inflamed and irritated because of the extra mucus, action is needed to ease the resulting coughing. The inflamed mucous membranes must be soothed in an effort to stop their excess mucus production and to create an opportunity for the healing process to take effect. There are plenty of safe home remedies for this purpose, and especially in the case of a dry cough a cough mixture such as Drosinula syrup will be helpful. The flower on the cover of this book is one of the ingredients of this valuable remedy, which has proved especially effective in combating stubborn and deep coughs.

For children I often recommend Santasapina syrup, which is also an excellent remedy in cases of a dry cough. It is, of course, important when the coughing persists and no remedy appears to help that the advice of a doctor or qualified practitioner is sought. Irish moss and Iceland moss are also helpful, especially for diabetics who cannot take many standard cough mixtures.

A cold is a natural way of eliminating toxic waste material, which explains why herbal teas, such as hot elderflower tea or hot lemon and honey tea, are useful. Under such conditions it may also be wise to use such seasonings as cayenne, onions and garlic. I have been especially pleased to see how garlic has achieved wider recognition in recent years, as it is such a wonderful natural antibiotic and antiseptic. Whichever way it is taken, e.g. fresh, as capsules or tablets, or as a tincture, it will always give our health a little extra boost. The use of garlic goes back to ancient Egyptian times and it has become well known as a treatment for colds and flu. Whilst it is a completely safe and natural product without any side-effects, I would nevertheless confess to a slight hesitation at buying just any kind of garlic capsules. To my mind it is always best to use fresh garlic, as the substance called allicin that gives garlic its medical potency is produced when the enzyme allinase and the amino acid alinin, which are normally present in the garlic bulbs, are allowed to combine by crushing or heating. It is known that Chinese garlic, which is available from many chemists and health food stores, is generally of the highest quality. Back home in my younger days, when I helped out in a pharmacy, it was mostly the older generation who used to ask for fresh garlic capsules, as they were well aware of garlic’s medicinal properties. For a long time garlic was almost taboo, as people disliked its characteristic taste and smell. Fortunately, nowadays there are some excellent garlic capsules and tablets on the market, in which the taste and odour has been largely eliminated.

In the case of acute colds characterised by a desperately runny nose, garlic and onions are often of great help. And I have been told that in the Highlands of Scotland an old-fashioned remedy of a plate of hot porridge with some onions and garlic is still being used for common colds. The older generation of farmers in Switzerland had their own cold cure: after harvesting the oats they used to make an infusion of the straw, which was found to be highly effective for treating cases of catarrh, coughs and feverish conditions.

Another popular remedy in medical folklore was horseradish syrup and especially in cases of persistent colds and catarrh it was customary to prepare a horseradish syrup with added sugar and honey. All the ingredients were mixed well and pressed through a sieve before being cooked with a little water and sugar to produce a syrup. This syrup will greatly relieve the symptoms of colds and chills. It is particularly important not to ignore catarrhal conditions and the old naturopathic methods of treatment are obviously still very effective.

The word catarrh has its roots in the Greek language; it is based on the two words kata (down) and rhein (to flow) and the combination of these two words is an apt description of the symptoms. A persistent and excessive flow of mucus can be the first indication of a chronic condition and the body should be stimulated to heal itself in order to get rid of unnecessary catarrhal problems. The lungs are understandably one of the body’s most vulnerable organs and it is often the case that a long-term congestion has resulted from an apparently ordinary common cold. If the early signs that a cold is developing into a chronic catarrhal condition are heeded, further complications can be avoided. However, it never does any good to suppress a cold as eventually this could exacerbate the problem. Instead, allow the cold to run its course and alleviate the symptoms with some of the natural remedies mentioned earlier.

In 1946 the Medical Research Council established a Common Cold Research Centre in Salisbury, where for ten-day periods members of the public, who had volunteered to take part in the research programme, were kept in isolation from the outside world. The results were disappointing insofar that only very few viruses could be isolated and the only meaningful results from these tests were that viruses can only flourish under certain conditions. For this reason we should do our best to ensure that the immune system remains as healthy as possible, and believe me when I say that no worthwhile investment in one’s health can ever be too expensive!

In cases of an infectious illness it is dangerous to consider the invisible virus as an enemy that can be destroyed by a drug, as is so often the case in conventional medicine. Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homoeopathy, had the vision to recognise the danger of destroying one thing with another, for when we set out to destroy harmful bacteria, it is more than likely that beneficial bacteria will be killed off in the process.

A naturopathic practitioner will always look for the cause of the symptoms and by treating the cause may well cure the symptoms. Catarrhal conditions certainly can result from a common cold and the same is often true of other toxic conditions. The body is quite miraculous. If we help it positively in one way or another, the most simple remedies can often give the body the extra help that is needed to cure itself. The body does not like to be sick, it wants to be healthy, but it needs to be treated correctly.

The first step should be to look at our daily food intake, and try to eliminate the foods which aggravate the mucous membranes and form catarrh. A mucus-reducing diet is of great importance. It is well known that faulty nutrition aggravates catarrhal conditions. Avoid dairy products as much as possible and, if necessary, drink goat’s milk or soya milk instead. Also avoid white sugar and white flour, especially white-flour products which contain a relatively high proportion of starch and have a reduced fibre content.