Keeping an Open Mind About Treating Health Problems

I want to thank Linda Diane Feldt for her comments about treating bacterial infection (accompanying "Of Pigs, Chickens and Superbugs"). Her paper about the benefits of Echinacea in combating bacterial infection is very convincing. Also, her points about the necessity for combining alternative and conventional therapies during serious illness, and about being open to new treatment options, are well taken.

I can relate on two levels.

Most immediately, her paper reminded me about the potential benefits of Echinacea…just as I felt a cold, or some respiratory infection, coming on a couple of evenings ago. It’s been a while since I’ve had such an infection, so I’m not sure I would have thought about trying Echinacea.

I had some liquid extract around, and began taking it shortly after feeling the symptoms and began feeling better within a couple hours of taking my first dose. Today I feel pretty much back to normal.

Second, I had my annual physical exam a few days ago, and felt for the first time I can remember that I had combined the best of alternative and conventional treatments. (Though she is referring to combining treatments to combat a health crisis, the principle applies in other situations.)

Two years ago, I searched out an internist at the Marino Center for Progressive Health, the Boston area’s only integrative health center. I had become disillusioned with my internist of twenty-plus years, and his lack of interest in anything having to do with nutrition, yoga, or self-healing in general.

I must say it was a refreshing change to have my physician inquire during my recent visit as to whether I have been able to stay with her recommendation that I meditate twice daily (no, not quite) and what nutritional supplements I am taking, as well as to recommend I consider a multi-day yoga retreat. She was also concerned that I have enough vitamin D, fish oil, and calcium.

After she completed her update, I went for my conventional tests—electrocardiogram, blood pressure, blood tests.

It was a pleasant surprise not to walk out of my doctor’s office feeling frustrated and deflated.

The point here isn’t that Echinacea is a cure-all for infection, but rather that we should be open to various approaches to dealing with health issues. Different foods, supplements, and treatment techniques work for different people.