Years ago, that prickly, scratchy feeling in the back of your throat meant a few days off school and, for most of us, your mother pampering you all day long.

Those days have long passed, and although an itchy throat and a runny nose still indicate the same illness, the benefits are not so great. Missing even one day of classes results in hours of catching up on missed assignments. For this reason, students seek the most effective cures, and some are delving into alternatives to over-the-counter medication.

Although over-the-counter medication is the method chosen by most people to rid themselves of winter illnesses, recent studies show alternative medicines are sometimes more effective in battling the winter blahs.

According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (www.nccam.nih.gov), "(alternative medicine) covers a broad range of healing philosophies (schools of thought), approaches and therapies that mainstream Western (conventional) medicine does not commonly use, accept, study, understand or make available. A few of the many CAM practices include the use of acupuncture, herbs, homeopathy, therapeutic massage and traditional oriental medicine to promote well-being or treat health conditions."

Kate's Natural Products, located on University Boulevard, specializes in alternative medicine. Opened in 1969, Kate's Natural Products carries a wide assortment of alternative healing sources.

"The products we sell are intended to promote homeostasis of the body," owner Ralph Magri said. "These products are not a comparison (of over-the-counter medicines). Those provide symptomatic relief. (Alternative medicines) are designed to help the body into a state of health."

Sue Gibson, of Sue's Natural Products on South Main Street, added that side effects of alternative medicine are minimal.

"The body adapts to them better; they're more readily accepted," Gibson said.
Alternative medicines differ from traditional Western medicines in that rather than one product for multisymptoms, each separate medicine has specific healing powers.

Magri said the best-selling products at Kate's seem to be those that fall into the antiseptic groups.

"Antiseptics are effective in that they kill fungus, viruses and bacteria," Magri said.

Among the best sellers are echinacea, oil of oregano, olive leaf extract and black elderberry. Echinacea, an herb rapidly becoming one of the most popular herbal remedies in the United States, according to The Natural Pharmacist's Web site (www.tnp.com), has been found to reduce the durations of the common cold and flu. The herb has been shown to boost white blood cell counts by assisting their maturity, according to the November 2000 issue of Prevention magazine.

"I have been taking echinacea with goldenseal for about three or four years," senior Matt Brancato said. "The goldenseal is used to clean your body out. I rarely get sick."

In addition, Brancato uses jade screen tea pills to boost his immune system and give him more energy. "You can use them when it gets cold out, during the flu season or when you feel like your energy is down."

According to Magri, oil of oregano kills bacteria, olive oil leaf extract mutates and kills bacteria and black elderberry has been shown to greatly reduce flu symptoms.

For colds, which many people often suffer from during the winter season, Magri suggests homeopathic medicines, which he calls the "granddaddy of modern medicine" because they've been around for centuries.

"The symptoms for which each medicine treats is written right on the label," added Magri.

Gibson said that keeping the immune system boosted is probably the best thing people can do for themselves. "Diet is crucial. A person should include plenty of veggies and water."

Necessities in every person's cupboard include a good quality base multivitamin/mineral supplement. Magri said they are difficult to find in the mass market, but they are out there. Extra dosages of vitamin C should also be included in one's diet.

"Antioxidants, such as vitamins A, C and E are important," Gibson said. She also added that taking these vitamins in combination pills is not as effective as taking them separately.

Zinc, a common ailment to treat symptoms of the common cold, is also helpful to have during the winter months. Senior Tara Howard said she found that taking zinc as soon as she feels a cold coming on reduces the duration of her symptoms.

If money is tight, many homemade remedies are available in ordinary kitchen ingredients. Prevention magazine lists chicken soup, garlic, honey, lemon and eucalyptus as defenses in destroying bacteria. Soup broth replaces lost fluids; garlic is an antibiotic and antiviral as well as an expectorant, which helps cough up bacteria in the lungs; honey soothes the throat and traps bacteria; lastly, lemon helps glands salivate, making it easier to swallow. Gargling with warm salt water also soothes tissues in the throat.

Yet, despite the increasing popularity of herbal remedies, the University Health Center asks that students be cautious when choosing their alternative medicines. "Students should check to see what ingredients are included," Assistant Director Cannie Graham said. "A lot of (herbal medicines) are not FDA approved."

This season, when that prickly feeling starts up in your throat, do some research, check out the alternatives and find what's right for you.