By Mitchell A. Fleisher, M.D., D.Ht., D.A.B.F.M.
As a busy homeopathic family physician I see a large number of patients of all ages who have been exposed to and sickened by the many variations of viral influenza. In the past my patients have usually responded very nicely to a series of specific, acute homeopathic remedies uniquely suited to the individualizing characteristics of their flu symptoms, supported along with additional buffered Vitamin C, tinctures of Echinacea, Astragalus, Lomatium, Olive Leaf extract, Colloidal Silver, hot lemon ginger tea and chicken soup. Recently I’ve noticed that often much more is required to support the healing process, especially when the cold or flu virus is particularly aggressive and the patient’s immune system is unprepared.
Last flu season my nurse and I were infected with a particularly virulent strain of influenza brought to the U.S. by a group of infected doctors visiting from Belgium. Fortunately, I spoke with a physician colleague in California who had already seen and treated this nasty, new flu strain. He strongly recommended the following regimen to help us recover more quickly: an immuno-supportive herbal formula (3 capsules every 3 to 4 hours); an herbal respiratory health-supportive formula (4 capsules every 3 to 4) hours; and an herbal allergen defense formula (2 capsules every 3 to 4 hours). I had several bottles of these herbal formulas overnighted to begin treating my nurse, myself and my poor ailing wife, who’d also been struck down by this belligerent bug.
After the formulas arrived we began following the prescribed regimen and within 24 to 36 hours we all noticed a significant improvement and recovered in short order, as opposed to many others who struggled to recuperate from this “Belgian flu” for weeks on end. Thankfully, I was physically able to tend to my scheduled patients that week without mishap.
“Three Phases” of Healing
I felt fortunate to discover these herbal formulas when I did because soon many of my patients were coming in suffering from a similar, malevolent, viral influenzal illness for which the usual remedies weren’t working. Consequently, I had ample opportunity to prescribe quite a lot of the “Three Phases” protocol as we now call it, and was pleased to observe rapid recoveries in my afflicted patients. Many of these patients reported that their neighbors, friends, relatives and co-workers had been sick for several weeks with this virus, before it was passed onto them. Naturally they were very grateful to heal so much more quickly and be able to get on with their lives.
To speed up the recovery process, I augment the therapeutic Three Phases protocol with additional supplements, including 2,000 mg of a special form of immune-boosting, buffered mineral ascorbates (vitamin C), designed by the famous Swiss holistic physician, Dr. Hans Nieper, called C Aspa Scorb, every 3 to 4 hours, as well as ProBoost Thymic Protein A, Bee Propolis Standardized Extract and Silver Liquid 400 PPM.
Though the current cold and flu season is just beginning we are already receiving a large number of patients suffering from both classic and atypical presentations of acute viral mononucleosis (due to acute Epstein-Barr Virus or EBV infection). These patients come to our clinic after coming down with what at first appears to be a really horrible case of influenza. What makes these cases unique is that they seemingly never resolve, but tend to stretch on for weeks without improvement until we provide them the appropriate homeopathic and nutraceutical supportive care.
Preparing for New Viral Threats
Every year physicians are confronted with new, ever more virulent varieties of influenza that arise as a result of ongoing genetic mutations among existing variations of influenza, parainfluenza and other viruses. This naturally occurring problem is now being compounded by the epidemiological influence of returning U.S. military personnel. These courageous, overworked, overstressed and over-immunized service personnel are returning home in a state of exhaustion after completing their tours. To protect our troops from the unhealthy environmental conditions they face in war zones they are treated with excessive, multiple doses of synthetic, pharmaceutical vaccinations (many of which contain aluminum and mercury preservatives that are directly and indirectly toxic to the immune and nervous systems). Additionally, our troops are exposed to raw filth, questionable quality food rations and deleterious levels of physical and psychological stress that weaken the immune system and create the perfect breeding conditions for speeding up development of newer, nastier viruses.
I became aware of this problem when JR, a 32-year-old U.S. Army Reserve officer, came to our clinic. JR returned from Iraq after two prolonged and particularly trying tours of duty that virtually overwhelmed his immune system. He suffered from recurrent, bad colds that gradually developed into an unremitting, miserable state of flu-like symptoms that left him unable to function. JR received multiple courses of strong, prescription, oral antibiotics from the military health system (essentially useless for viral infections). These treatments provided no tangible relief to JR, though they did give him stomach aches, poor appetite and annoying bouts of diarrhea. It was only after beginning and very strictly adhering to his therapeutic regimen, including C Aspa Scorb, ProBoost Thymic Protein A and Bee Propolis Standardized Extract, along with his constitutional homeopathic remedy, that he was finally able to overcome his ‘chronic’ flu syndrome and return to good health.
Mononucleosis
Another patient, TD, was a typically vivacious teenager involved in team sports until she came down with a terrible flu that wouldn’t quit. Her mom’s prescription of bed rest and vitamin C didn’t work and TD was going downhill fast. TD’s recurrent, severe sore throats and deep, relentless cough began to cause increasing upper abdominal aching pains in her left side that prompted further examination. Upon palpation I discovered that TD had an enlarged spleen (splenomegaly). Subsequent laboratory testing confirmed my suspicion that she was actually suffering from acute viral mononucleosis. The initial regimen of C Aspa Scorb, ProBoost Thymic Protein A, Bee Propolis Standardized Extract and Silver Liquid 400 PPM took the edge off of her flu-like symptoms and she felt better, but it was not until we added the “Three Phases” (our special protocol of a Chinese herbal immuno-supportive formula, a respiratory health-supportive formula, and an herbal allergen defense formula) that she really began to mend rapidly and was restored to her usual, vibrant health. I was impressed with how quickly the splenomegaly resolved on this regimen. Soon she was able to return to her high school soccer team activities in time for the season’s games.
Preventing Colds and Flu
I have also found a modification of the “Three Phases” protocol to be very effective in the prevention of colds and flu that is particularly important for those people with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, as well as tobacco abusers and the elderly, especially older family members in nursing home settings where nosocomial (‘hospital-like’ medical institution-caused) infections are prevalent.
For preventive care in adults and adolescents, I recommend the following regimen: 2 to 3 capsules daily of a well-formulated Chinese herbal immuno-supportive formula; 3 to 4 capsules daily of a well-formulated Chinese respiratory health-supportive formula; C Aspa Scorb (1/2 teaspoon daily in water or diluted juice); Silver Liquid 400 PPM (1/2 teaspoon daily in water); and ProBoost Thymic Protein A (1 packet daily dissolved on the tongue). If there is some degree of chronic head congestion as a result of allergies, which predisposes to colds and flu, I add 2 capsules daily of a well-formulated Chinese herbal allergen defense formula to the prevention protocol. For children under 12 years old, I prescribe half of the aforementioned dosages for prevention.
Summary
To summarize, the antiviral, ‘bad cold & flu’ self-care therapeutic regimen that really works the best: 3 capsules every 3 to 4 hours of a well-formulated Chinese herbal immuno-supportive formula; 4 capsules, every 3 to 4 hours of a well-formulated Chinese respiratory health-supportive formula; 2 capsules, every 3 to 4 hours of a well-formulated Chinese herbal allergen defense formula; C Aspa Scorb (1/2 teaspoon in warm water or diluted juice every 3 to 4 hours); ProBoost Thymic Protein A 1 packet dissolved on the tongue every eight hours; Bee Propolis Standardized Extract 2 capsules every 3 to 4 hours (these last three agents are from Progressive Labs, 800-527-9512, use #7876 to order); and, Silver Liquid 400 PPM (1/2 teaspoon in water) (from VRP, 800-877-2447, use #235277 to order).
Finally, in addition to the above mentioned preventive self-care measures, I recommend that you eat a diet healthy for the immune system, i.e., plenty of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, some organic, free range, grass-fed meat and poultry (especially home-made chicken soup, a.k.a. ‘Kosher Penicillin’), some sprouted whole grains, a daily dose of a high quality cod liver oil for the omega-3 fatty acids with vitamins A and D, as well as seeking to drastically limit or avoid all sugar and refined carbohydrate products (candy, ‘unsprouted grain’ breads, pasta, pastries, etc.), processed and/or fried foods and pasteurized, commercial dairy products. To survive the inevitable ‘cheating’ during the holidays, make sure that you and your family take your daily dosage of the antiviral, ‘bad cold & flu’ self-care therapeutic regimen as delineated above.
