I used it with olive leaf extract for colds
This review is the same as the one I wrote for Nature's Way Olive Leaf 20% Oleuropein, 60 Vcaps , because I use the two herbs together. My brother was the first one to inform me of using oregano oil to help fight off colds. And my sister recommended I also try olive leaf extract for the same purpose. Prior to using these products, I would get about 2-3 colds a year for as long as I can remember. The first symptom would be general fatigue, followed by a sore throat, a runny and/or stuffy nose, then coughing and congestion. The mild symptoms would last about 1.5 weeks, but unfortunately sometimes the congestion would linger for weeks. Then I started taking the oregano oil and olive leaf extract. What I've discovered over the past 5 years is this. If I start taking these herbal supplements when I start getting a sore throat, then usually I never get any chest congestion. In addition, any symptoms I do have are generally milder. So for the past 5 years, I've only had 3 serious colds, and one of those was linked to Allergies (I live in Central Texas, and cedar Allergies are common, although I'm not usually severely affected by them). Prior to taking these herbal supplements, I would have averaged about 10 colds in a 5 year time span. To achieve my results, I take 1 olive leaf pill with every meal, 3 times daily, as soon as I detect the initial symptoms (usually for me it is a sore throat). For oregano oil I take 1 or 2 pills a day (adjust consumption of oregano oil per your needs...some folks are sensitive and can be allergic to it). I continue this intake for about 5 days, which is usually when the soreness in my throat subsides. Overall, I'm SERIOUSLY pleased with my results. Whereas over-the-counter medicines might make you feel better, they do nothing to actually combat the virus itself (they just might make your nose less stuffy, or abate your headache). Based on my personal experience, I feel like whatever compounds are in these herbs do actually assist your body in fighting the viruses. **** UPDATE: DECEMBER 12, 2013 **** My ongoing quest for better health continues, and so far I'm pleased with the results. It's been over 2 years since I've had a cold or anything worse. However, to be clear, I can't definitively attribute it just to olive leaf extract and oregano oil supplements. I think the changes I've listed below that I've made in my diet the last few years have helped as well. Folks should keep these points in mind if they are considering taking olive leaf extract and oregano oil supplements to prevent or help overcome a cold/flu/etc. I'm not saying a person needs to do all the things listed below to fight a cold. What I am saying is that if a person is getting a cold (or already has a cold), then they start taking olive leaf extract and oregano oil supplements to fight the cold, but they are still eating a bunch of sugar laden foods and consuming a lot of alcohol while they're sick, then their actions are inhibiting the positive effects of the olive leaf extract and oregano oil supplements. Health must be approached holistically...there is no "silver bullet" in the form of a few supplements that can prevent or overcome sickness. Also remember that a person's body chemistry is unique. If you can't obtain the same positive results with olive leaf extract and oregano oil supplements as other folks have, don't be dismayed...continue to find that unique diet, lifestyle, and supplement formula that works for you (and share your good results with me when you do :-) ...I'm so very curious about ways to obtain better health). And remember that the approach to good health is highly debatable, so do your own research and arrive at your own conclusions. 1) Greatly reduced the amount of table sugar I consume, especially if I feel like I'm at risk of getting sick (e.g. if I'm stressed out from work, not sleeping well, around a lot of people who are sick, etc.). 2) I drink fresh lime juice fairly regularly. Cut a lime in half and squeeze the juice from the halves into a warm cup of water. I drink with a straw to mitigate too much of the acidic juice from washing over my teeth and brush my teeth promptly afterwards. Like with point #1, if sickness risk is elevated I'll drink this tea daily. 3) I've greatly increased the amount of fruits and vegetables I eat every day. As I've learned over the years, when a person sits down to eat, ideally they should be looking at a plate of mostly vegetables and fruits, a small portion of protein (especially seafood high in omega-3 and low in mercury), and perhaps a bit of some gluten free starch. Some of these points can be argued (e.g. vegetarians would say no meat), but compared to the typical US diet, eating like this would be a TREMENDOUS improvement. Personally I've taken to creating smoothies to consume more fruits and vegetables. Here is one recipe: 3 carrots, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 2 bananas, couple slices of ginger, a tablespoon olive oil, as much dark leafy greens as your palate can stand, and concord grape juice to provide the liquid base and control the viscosity. 4) I've transitioned to a diet mostly free from some of the more common allergens (e.g. gluten, dairy, and soy). 5) I meditate. All the benefits of mediation can't be described here, but the modern science is finally starting to validate its purely physical benefits, which includes reducing stress and strengthening the immune system. This topic definitely deserves your further consideration. Try Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World for a good modern day primer on the subject, which was written and researched by university level researchers. 6) Exercise at least twice a week. **** UPDATE: DECEMBER 15, 2016 **** Nothing bad to say about it, but I actually don't use this product anymore. After continuing to migrate to an overall healthier lifestyle per the bullets in my previous update, it's been a really long time (over 3 years) since I've been full-blown sick. Usually I can tell if my immune system is fighting something because I'll get this general tired feeling, then a mild sore throat...at which point I take the following steps until the symptoms end: 1) Stop eating most animal protein, dairy, foods with gluten, and products with a lot of refined sugar (e.g. candy, cookies, etc.). Avoiding all food that contain common allergens (e.g. soy, shellfish, etc.) is the overall goal. 2) Start making a daily lime smoothie consisting of a lime that I'll wash and slice up (including the skin) and blend with grape juice to taste. 3) Eat a clove or two of garlic a day
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