Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Holistic and Integrative Therapies

General information · Specific interventions

The Fluwiki is meant to develop and share information about coping with a public health problem, prevalent community illness from circulating influenza A virus. The medical-related and management articles here are not meant as a substitute for professional care, nor is there any claim the information provided is sufficiently accurate or useful to make clinical decisions. Even when accurate, it takes professional judgment and specific information to know when it applies to a particular individual. This means, as a legal matter, no one who provides information here takes responsibility for the results or consequences of using it for the practice of medicine. The old adage in medicine holds: “A doctor who treats himself has a fool for a patient and a fool for a doctor.” If you suspect you have a problem, see your health care provider. Medical Therapy has its own separate page.

Please organize by type of practitioner.

General information

  • What really works?
    Washington Post. July 12 2005
  • National Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine
    NCCAM home page at the NIH
  • Emergency Signs of Flu
    from the CDC’s website
  • Alternative Medicine Wikipedia entry
    • Hippocratic Oath Wikipedia entry.
      The Hippocratic Oath is an oath traditionally taken by physicians, in which certain ethical guidelines are laid out. In modern times, other altenatives have been present.
    • Declaration of Geneva Wikipedia entry

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Specific influenza interventions

This information is for general health information only. This Web site is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Users of this Web site should not rely on information provided on this Web site for their own health problems. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider.

Some herbal supplements should not be taken to prevent or treat Bird Flu. The reason for this is that they may boost the immune system and its pro-inflammatory cytokines. Victims of Bird Flu often die from pneumonia related to over-reation by the immune system. The virus reproduces 1000 times more than a normal flu virus. The body has never experienced an infection like this and reacts by sending all the killer cells it can. Unfortunately there is no break in the cycle and the inflammation and tissue buildup kills many bird flu patients through Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS), suffocation. Taking a supplement that boosts the immune system may kill you. Bleeding (hemorrhaging) has also been reported in some victims so blood thinning medications and supplements may contribute to this problem.

Click on the heading for more information about the following remedies or supplements.

  • Traditional Chinese Medicine
    • Yin Qiao or Yin Chiao (strong evidence of anti-viral activity)
    • Kan Jang (see Andrographis below) (strong evidence of anti-viral activity)
    • Red Ginseng
    • Maeng Lak Kha
    • Herbal Decoctions for the Prevention and Treatment of Influenza
      School of Chinese Medicine CUHK

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  • Homeopathy
    • Crotalus Horridus - Poison of Rattlesnake Crotalidae
      used by homeopathic practitioners for hemorrhagic conditions stemming from the 1918–19 Spanish Flu

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  • Gelsemium - Can’t raise a muscle or a thought
    the most commonly used and useful homeopathic remedy in 1918

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Page last modified on May 02, 2009, at 11:59 AM by fredness