CONTENTS
Preface… i
1. Introduction 1
2. Immunity — God’s Gift to Humankind 5
3. A Mini-review of Basic Immunology 25
4. An Effective Treatment for Respiratory Infections 39
5. Treatment for Four Clinical Entities 53
6. The How of Hydrotherapy 65
7. Nutrition to Prevent Respiratory Infections 79
8. Conclusions 87
References 93
Index 113
i
With the frenzy and fear of swine flu spreading over the
world, I decided to publish this book to share with the public an
effective modality to prevent and treat swine flu or any flu.
There is really no need of fear of flu. The methods described in
this book are effective for treating colds, flus, and all other
common respiratory infections
A good portion of this book was written seven years ago
during the media hysteria of the Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome (SARS) around the world. At that time, I stated that
“SARS can be severe in some individuals, but it is not a disease
to be feared. A person with an intact immune function need not
fear SARS or other respiratory infections. Even in SARS
patients with immune dysfunctions, there is still an effective
treatment for them.”
When I heard of reports of SARS from China, Hong Kong,
and other countries in early part of 2003, I decided to send a
letter to the Editor of the New England Journal of Medicine
(NEJM) to share my humble but effective treatment methods for
severe respiratory infections with the medical communities.
ii
NEJM allows only 400 words for a letter to the editor. The
following is the 400 words of my Letter to NEJM:
“April 14, 2003
To The Editor:
I have successfully used hydrotherapy for more than two
decades to treat patients with symptoms of Severe Acute
Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Some patients acquired the
infection while traveling abroad, others developed
tracheobronchitis and pneumonia after returning from overseas
visits, and still others acquired the disease without foreign travel.
Each year, several of my medical students come down with
symptoms of SARS just before their final examinations. With
the proper use of hydrotherapy, they fully recover within 48
hours.
The hydrotherapy is called “fomentation” meaning the use of
moist heat. The process begins by heating a wet towel in a
microwave oven for three minutes, wrapping this hot towel in a
dry towel, and placing it directly on the chest and/or the back.
Fresh hot towels should be prepared approximately every five
iii
minutes, and total treatment lasts 15-20 minutes. Treatment is
given every 4 to 6 hours.
Moist heat penetrates the tissues to a depth of 2 to 5 inches
killing all microbes including viruses. Moist heat also loosens
mucus so that patients will be able to cough it out. Two months
ago, a medical student came to me with an annoying and
persistent dry cough, fever, malaise and myalgia. Ten days of
amoxicillin and codeine cough syrup had done nothing. After
three moist heat treatments, he coughed up more than a cup of
sputum (his own estimate), and he was completely well.
With lower respiratory infection, alveoli can fill with mucous
secretions so thick that the person is unable to cough it up. Left
untreated, the mucus can eventually cause breathing problems
and hypoxia. Mucus accumulation may also cause
bronchospasm giving the appearance of asthma. I have used this
moist heat method to cure childhood asthma. Moist heat
enhances blood circulation, recruiting leukocytes, NK cells, and
cytokines (interferons) to destroy viruses. Moist heat also
encourages perspiration allowing toxic waste products to be
iv
eliminated through skin. When appropriately applied, SARS is
cured in a few days.
While I realize that this treatment modality may be foreign to
many, I invite readers to try this method and compare it to
conventional treatments currently in use for SARS.
Benjamin Lau, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Medicine
School of Medicine, Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350”
In two weeks, I received the following response from the
Senior Deputy Editor Edward W. Campion, M.D. of the New
England Journal of Medicine:
“April 29, 2003
Dear Dr. Lau:
I am sorry that we will not be able to print your recent letter to
the editor. The space available for correspondence is very
limited, and we use our judgment to present a representative
v
selection of the material received. Many worthwhile
communications must be declined simply for lack of space.
Sincerely,
Edward W. Campion, M.D., Senior Deputy Editor”
I then decided to send the letter to another medical journal
that has a large circulation. This journal allows 500 words for a
Letter to the Editor, so I was able to elaborate a bit more and I
was hoping this time I could convey my suggestions a bit better
with 100 extra words. The following is my letter to the Lancet, a
British journal:
“May 2, 2003
To The Editor of The Lancet:
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) has baffled the
medical community and the general public. SARS may be
SEVERE, but is NOT a disease to be feared. Death in SARS
occurs only in those with impaired immune function. Fatal cases
reported from Canada occurred in elderly individuals with
underlying diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease.
vi
Smoking and alcoholism are known predisposing factor for
SEVERE, life-threatening respiratory diseases. Both of these
habits are rampant in China. Persons with intact immune
functions need not fear of this type of infection. Even in SARS
patients with immune dysfunction, there is still an effective
treatment for them.
I have successfully used hydrotherapy for more than two
decades to treat patients with symptoms of SARS. Some
patients acquired the infection while traveling abroad, others
developed tracheobronchitis and pneumonia after returning from
overseas visits, and still others acquired the disease without
foreign travel. Each year, several of my medical students come
down with symptoms of SARS just before their final
examinations. With the proper use of hydrotherapy, they fully
recover within 48 hours.
The hydrotherapy is called “fomentation” meaning the use of
moist heat. The process begins by heating a wet towel in a
microwave oven for three minutes, wrapping this hot towel in a
dry towel, and placing it directly on the chest and/or the back.
Fresh hot towels should be prepared approximately every five
vii
minutes, and total treatment lasts 15-20 minutes. We also use
Hydrocollator? Steam Pack manufactured by Chattanooga
Group (Hixson, TN, USA) which stays hot for 30 minutes.
Treatment is given every 4 to 6 hours.
Moist heat penetrates the tissues to a depth of 2 to 5 inches
killing all microbes including viruses. Moist heat also loosens
mucus so that patients will be able to cough it out. Two months
ago, a medical student came to me with an annoying and
persistent dry cough, fever, malaise and myalgia. Ten days of
amoxicillin and codeine cough syrup had done nothing. After
three moist heat treatments, he coughed up more than a cup of
sputum (his own estimate), and he was completely well.
With lower respiratory infection, alveoli can fill with mucous
secretions so thick that the person is unable to cough it up. Left
untreated, the mucus can eventually cause breathing problems
and hypoxia. Mucus accumulation may also cause
bronchospasm giving the appearance of asthma. I have used this
moist heat method to cure childhood asthma. Moist heat
enhances blood circulation, recruiting leukocytes, NK cells, and
cytokines (interferons) to destroy viruses. Moist heat also
viii
encourages perspiration allowing toxic byproducts to be
eliminated through skin. When appropriately applied, SARS is
cured in a few days.
While I realize that this treatment modality may be foreign to
many, I invite readers to try this method and compare it to
conventional treatments currently in use for SARS.
Benjamin Lau, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Microbiology, Immunology, and Medicine
School of Medicine, Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350, U.S.A.”
Also in about two weeks, I received an email from the
senior editor of The Lancet:
“15 May 2003
Dear Dr. Lau:
Thank you for your communication on “SARS is not to be
feared,” which you sent for publication in our Correspondence
columns. I am afraid we have decided not to accept your letter
for publication on this occasion. Well over 3000 letters are
submitted every year, and our criteria for acceptance are
ix
therefore very stringent. I wish you luck with acceptance in
another forum.
Yours sincerely,
Abigail Pound, Senior Editor”
Obviously I was not able to reach my medical fraternity
with the simple message. I recognized it was difficult to sell
(even though it costs nothing) this effective treatment modality
to the medical community. Now we hear no more about SARS.
As I predicted seven years ago, SARS would have a short
history and it turned out to be so. However, in the past few years,
there’s hysteria and fear of flu. This fear and hysteria continue,
first the Hong Kong flu, then bird flu, and now swine flu. Just
about every year, people are scared and rushed into taking flu
shots and drugs, while many are dying from viral respiratory
infections. Last year while lecturing in China, I had a small book
titled “Hydrotherapy for Respiratory Infections” printed in China,
mainly for in-house use in my health seminars. Many doctors and
health professionals have used this simple method to treat their
patients with severe respiratory infections. I also
x
taught this method to thousands of lay public. They were
amazed with the effectiveness of the method.
Each year in the U.S. more than 60,000 persons die of flu
complications and other respiratory infections. Many elderly
individuals with flu die in the hospitals in spite of modern high-
tech treatments. On the other hand, none of my patients with flu
have died when they followed the simple treatments I
recommended to them. Last year, a patient of mine—we will
call her Dorothy—went on a trip to China with two of her
friends. All three ladies were in their seventies. They came home
with severe colds which developed into tracheobronchitis and
pneumonia. When Dorothy came to my office, she had difficulty
breathing. She had nonproductive cough meaning dry cough
without any sputum coming out. My staff gave her hydrotherapy
called fomentation (moist heat) and instructed her husband to
give this type of treatment at home. At the same time we
encouraged her to drink cups of hot peppermint tea to make sure
that she would not become dehydrated. Dorothy was able to
cough up a half bowl of thick mucus/sputum and was well in
three days. Her two girl friends went into the hospital and were
xi
treated by pulmonologists (doctors who specialize in treating
lung disease). They were admitted to Pulmonary ICU, hooked
up to the monitors, oxygen, IV (intravenous) antibiotics, cough
suppressants, decongestants, sedatives, antiviral drugs, etc.
During this time, the air sacs in their lungs filled with mucous
secretions so thick that they were unable to cough it up. The
mucus eventually caused breathing problems and hypoxia. Both
of Dorothy’s friends died in the hospital with pneumonia as the
cause of death. It has been estimated that more than 50% of the
elderly patients in the hospitals die of pneumonia during the flu
season. In my opinion, one of the chief flaws in modern medical
practice is the wrong paradigm of cough suppression resulting in
the fatal build-up of mucus!
I have given copies of “Hydrotherapy for Respiratory
Infections” as a Christmas gift to a number of friends,
colleagues and relatives. Several of them have read it and have
urged me to officially publish this book for larger audience.
The result is the book you now have in your hand. I hope you
will learn the simple techniques in this book to help you
overcome any flu and other respiratory infections.
1
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
I am a professor of microbiology and immunology. I have
taught these subjects to more than 10,000 medical and dental
students, and a good number of nursing and allied health students
as well. To show my students the importance of the subject
microbiology, I often ask them two questions in the first hour
when I meet them. I tell them these are multiple choice questions.
I ask them to answer these questions by raising their hands, using
the “answer keys” I have written on the board:
A. 20%
B. 40%
C. 60%
D. 80%
E. 100%
2
This is the first question: What percentage of patients seen
by a general physician (family doctor, pediatrician, or an internist)
is associated with microbes (germs)?
As you are reading this book, I invite you to take this quiz
also. Did you pick A or 20% as the answer? or B, or C, or D? The
right answer is D or 80%. So you can see it is very important for
the doctors to know the subject microbiology as the great majority
of patients they see in their offices have some thing to do with the
microbes.
The second question I ask is: What percentage of these
patients should get antibiotic treatment? Many of my students pick
C (60%) as the answer. The correct answer is A (20% or less).
Most of the infections are caused by viruses and antibiotics really
don’t do any good. Now in real life, do you know what percentage
of patients who see their doctors for infections are treated with
antibiotics? You are right—almost 100%!
Very often I also ask a third question: In developed
countries, the most common type of infections involves which
organ system?
3
The answer choices are:
A. Central nervous system
B. Digestive system
C. Skin
D. Respiratory system
E. Genitourinary organs
What is your answer? If you have picked D as the answer,
you are right. How serious are the respiratory infections?
Fortunately, most of the time, they are not too serious. Do people
die from respiratory infections? How effective is modern
medicine in treating respiratory infections? In this book, you will
find answers to these and other important questions.
Colds and flu--Epidemic
National Center for Health Statistics reveals that
Americans now suffer with over one billion colds and flu each
year (1, 2). That is an average of three colds and flu for every man,
woman, and child. The U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC)
says since reporting influenza cases is voluntary, that the numbers
are not accurate. They are actually higher. Conservative estimates
4
reveal that during “flu season” each year, about 150 million
Americans will be infected with flu virus, 200,000 will be
hospitalized, and 60,000 will die in spite of high-tech medical care
(3). Checking CDC’s mortality statistics again, I note that the
number of deaths associated with flu and other chronic respiratory
diseases has been around 185,000 each year (2). This means an
average of 500 deaths each day, or 20 deaths each hour, or one
death every three minutes!
Can anything be done to prevent these deaths? In this book
I am going to share with you a simple natural method that I have
used for three decades to help my students, friends and patients.
While thousands have died in the hospitals because of
complications of flu and/or pneumonia, all of my patients who
utilized hydrotherapy (treatment with water) have recovered
completely from their respiratory disease. Before I share with you
the details of the treatment method, I want to give you some
background in immunology so that you will understand why the
water treatment works while the conventional treatments often fail.
5
Chapter 2
IMMUNITY–GOD’S GIFT TO HUMANKIND
The human body consists of several important organ
systems, each of which carries on a special function. Of these
various systems, the one most extensively studied in recent years
is the "immune system." The organs comprising this system are:
the thymus, a small organ behind the breastbone; the bone marrow,
particularly abundant in the long bones; the spleen, situated in the
left side of the belly; and the lymph nodes, scattered in strategic
places throughout our body.
The defense system
Our immune system is very much like the United States
Department of Defense. When it functions properly, it protects
against foreign invaders and maintains national peace. The
Department of Defense employs various branches—the Army,
6
Navy, Air Force, and Marines, to name just a few—that help it do
its job. Likewise, our immune system employs several major
branches—the B lymphocytes (B for bone marrow, the T
lymphocytes (cells which are “educated” in the “Thymus
University”), the phagocytes, (neutrophils, monocytes, and
macrophages), and the natural killer cells. Macrophages are the
"national guards" stationed in various parts of our body while
other cell types are found in the blood circulation as a part of the
white blood cells.
Function of the immune cells
The B lymphocytes respond to various stimuli by
producing antibodies, which help fight off many common
infections. Phagocytes ingest foreign particles and destroy them
by using either oxygen radicals or special types of enzymes. The
other types of immune cells directly attack foreign invaders, such
as cancer cells, bacteria, viruses, or fungi. Some carry out their
attack by secreting powerful chemicals called cytokines (cyto =
cell, kine = active ingredients). We now recognize at least four
subtypes of T lymphocytes: the helper T lymphocytes, which are
always ready to help other cells; the cytotoxic T lymphocytes,
whose main job is to control foreign invaders; the suppressor T
cells, which act as military police to ensure that other cell types do
7
not transgress their limit. The fourth type of T cells has the ability
to destroy parasites. Unfortunately, it is also involved in certain
undesirable allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis in persons
allergic to poison oak or cosmetics.
Immune cells recognize foreign intruders
The various types of cells circulate many times each hour
throughout the body in the blood vessels, spleen, liver, and lymph
nodes. Each cell type has detector molecules on its surface to
identify foreign intruders such as viruses and misbehaved
members such as cancer cells. Scientists call these detector
molecules the CDs, for clusters of differentiation. I would just
simply call them clusters of detectors. The CDs are designated by
numbers. For example, CD4 is associated with helper T cells, and
CD8 with suppressor T cells. In AIDS patients, the virus destroys
CD4 cells. As a result, there is a shortage of helpers and too many
suppressors causing a weakening of the body’s defense.
As mentioned before, these immune cells can secrete
powerful cytokines to keep intruders under control. It turns out
that these cells also use cytokines to communicate with one
another. Some of the cytokines are called interleukins—meaning
substances secreted by various types of cells to be used in
8
“talking” to one another. Under normal conditions, these cells
work together in an orderly manner, thus protecting the body from
harm and danger. If these members of the defense department are
doing so well, why, then, do some of us get sick with colds, flu,
and even life-threatening respiratory diseases? We may ask the
same question of why a national defense department fails. The
reason may be lack of ammunition, lack of strong leadership, or
just poor quality of military personnel. By the same token, if
members of our body defense system are not strong, if they are
malnourished, or stress out, then they too are unable to carry out
their proper responsibility.
Today we know that lifestyle habits are the major causes
of cancer, coronary heart disease, infections, and many other
diseases as well. How we live has a direct influence, either
positively or negatively, on our immune system.
Lifestyle habits that intimidate the immune system
1. Alcohol – Most of you are probably aware of the
severe problems associated with alcoholism. A computer search
of relevant literature reveals more than 100 scientific reports
published in recent decades showing that alcohol consumption
9
“down-regulates” the immune system (1). Several studies show
that alcohol profoundly decreases the normal function of B
lymphocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and
phagocytes (2, 3). If you can imagine how a person behaves under
the influence of alcohol—careless, indifferent, unsteady—that is
how researchers discovered immune cells behave when they are
bathed in an environment of alcohol. They don’t seem to care
about their responsibilities.
How much alcohol is needed to produce a harmful effect?
Antibody production levels dropped more than threefold in
individuals consuming only two drinks. In other words, after just
two drinks, your antibody defenses operate at less than one third
of the normal. In another study, cytotoxic T lymphocytes lost
their resistance to viruses after individuals drank an average of
four beers. The immune down-regulating effect of alcohol
persisted for days, even after the alcohol was eliminated from the
body (4, 5). It is a textbook knowledge that alcoholics may suffer
deadly bacterial pneumonia (6).
Studies have shown that “social drinking” in pregnant
women not only harms the immune system, but also causes fetal
abnormalities (7, 8). Other studies show that alcohol abuse during
10
sexual activity increases the risk of catching the AIDS virus (9).
Furthermore, once a person is infected with a virus, alcohol
hastens the development of the disease. All in all, the studies
have shown that even small amounts of alcohol are harmful and
can increase the likelihood and severity of infections (1).
Incidentally, one needs to be aware of the hidden alcohol found in
cough syrup and various beverages by reading bottle labels.
In recent years, alcohol, particularly the red wine, has been
touted as having health benefits of reducing the risk of coronary
heart disease. Such publicity has been made based on several
publications (10-13). Red wine and some alcoholic beverages
have antioxidants polyphenols (the flavonols) which indeed
reduce cardiovascular risks. However, the alcohol in these drinks
is toxic to the brain and the liver. Since polyphenols are present in
many vegetables and fruits such as grape, one will be better off to
drink unfermented grape juice instead of fermented alcoholic
beverages (14). Cardiologist Dr. R.A. Vogel of University of
Maryland stated in a review article: “Despite the wealth of
observational data, it is not absolutely clear that alcohol reduces
cardiovascular risk, because no randomized controlled trials have
been performed. Alcohol should never be recommended to
patients to reduce cardiovascular risk as a substitute for the well-
11
proven alternatives of appropriate diet, exercise, and drugs.
Alcohol remains the number three cause of preventable premature
death in this country, and the risk of alcohol habituation, abuse,
and adverse effects must be considered in any patient counseling.”
(15).
2. Tobacco – One large study involving 4,462 male
subjects showed that smokers had lower antibody levels and CD8
(cells patrolling virus-infected or cancer cells) counts (16). During
beginning periods of smoking, there may actually be a slight
enhancement of immune function (cells are more active,
attempting to rid the irritant), but soon after follows a suppression
of T cells, NK cells, and phagocytes (17, 18). Passive smoking has
also shown its effect on the immune system. Children of smoking
parents suffer more allergies because of derangement of a type of
B lymphocyte that makes IgE antibodies responsible for allergic
reactions such as hay fever, asthma, and chronic sinus problems
(19). They are also more prone to respiratory infections.
One of my younger patients suffered from chronic ear and
sinus infections. Different methods of treatment were unsuccessful.
Learning that the father smoked, I encouraged him to quit. Initially
dubious that his smoking had anything to do with
12
his son’s poor health, he finally did quit and was pleasantly
surprised to find that his son’s chronic infection and allergy
cleared. Needless to say, the father’s health also greatly improved.
3. Marijuana – Following tobacco, marijuana is the
second most widely smoked substance in our society. We now
know that marijuana suppresses the immune system, impairs
reproduction, produces respiratory disease, and increases the risk
of lung cancer. Research shows that the use of marijuana
depresses T lymphocyte and macrophage activity (20). Its use
during pregnancy carries significant risks, including low birth
weight and abnormalities of the fetus. Of the 20 recently
published reports that I have reviewed, only four showed absence
of harmful effects on the immune system, while the remaining 16
studies reported suppression.
Marijuana has a detrimental effect not only on the immune
system, but also on the central nervous system (21). I know a
bright young man who smoked marijuana only for a short period
of time and developed such severe depression and emotional
disturbance that he was not able to function for years. His parents
sought help from many physicians, but unfortunately his condition
did not improve.
13
4. Cocaine – Research has now shown the
suppressive effect of cocaine on cytotoxic T lymphocytes, NK
cells, B cells, and phagocytes. There is evidence that cocaine can
adversely affect the outcome of infectious diseases, particularly
the illnesses caused by viruses including AIDS (22-26). Cocaine
causes intense vasoconstriction, which potentially causes damage
to all organ systems. Cocaine toxicity causes multisystem organ
failure involving brain, heart, lung, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract,
musculature, and other organs (24). Cocaine is one of the leading
substances causing depression in humans (27). Cocaine abuse
precipitates life-threatening arrhythmias and is responsible for
cases of sudden death (28).
In addition to these so-called recreational drugs, bear in
mind that prescription as well as over-the-counter drugs can also
hurt the immune system, and other body systems such as the
digestive and the central nervous systems. Many times I have
found professional colleagues suffering from anxiety attacks,
severe depression, and persistent flulike symptoms after taking a
drug intended to help with sleep disorders or stress.
A colleague called early one morning and told me that her
uncle had recently experienced severe depression and was suicidal.
14
This gentleman had nightmares, a lot of anxiety, loss of appetite,
and trouble sleeping. She gave the name of a new drug he was
taking and wondered if per chance that could be the cause.
Looking up the information, I read: “Rare (less than 0.5 percent)
adverse reactions include nightmares, insomnia, confusion,
hallucinations, anorexia (no appetite), depersonalization. . .”
Statistics do not mean much to the person who experiences the
side effects. To that person, it is 100 percent, not less than 0.5
percent. I told this young lady to bring her uncle to my office, and
we would begin to help him get off the medication. The take-
home message from this experience is that drugs used to combat
anxiety or insomnia may ironically produce anxiety, depression,
and insomnia as side effects.
In general, unless absolutely necessary, I caution people to
take any kind of drug. When drugs are required, I make it a point
to help patients understand as much as they can about drugs they
are taking—the intended use and possible side effects. I
encourage them to read the Physicians’ Desk Reference (PDR) or
the inserts that come with the drugs. This practice enables the
patient to be better informed.
15
5. Coffee – Caffeine has been shown to lower the
response of T lymphocytes in both men and women. Both B cell
and NK cell activity is decreased during coffee consumption (29).
These cells are needed for antibody production and natural
defense, respectively. What many people may not be aware of is
that caffeine is also present in many soft drinks, chocolate, and
over-the-counter drugs.
A dentist friend of mine suffered from chronic fatigue
syndrome with repeated viral infections. Since he realized that
antibiotics do not help, he decided to get advice from my wife,
who is a dietitian. She tried to help him improve his diet, but he
still was not feeling well. Finally he was persuaded to give up
coffee, and to his pleasant surprise, he overcame his chronic viral
problem and enjoyed more energy.
6. Poor Diet – Both the American Cancer Society and
the National Cancer Institute have recommended a reduction of
total fat intake and an increase of vegetables, fresh fruits, and
whole grains (30, 31). Foods from plants are known to prevent
cancer. Interestingly, our immune cells cannot tolerate high fat,
either. High fat makes these cells lazy so that they cannot
function at full capacity. On the other hand, green and yellow
16
leafy vegetables and fresh fruits contain special vitamins, and
minerals that make healthy immune cells. With a good diet, our
immune cells are alert, active, and responsible in carrying out both
their defensive and offensive functions. When the immune cells
are healthy, enemies such as pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and
cancers have less chance for survival.
A few years ago my colleagues and I published a study
showing that sugar impairs the function of neutrophils, the type of
white blood cells that destroy disease-producing bacteria (32). We
now know that refined sugar lowers our resistance and make us
vulnerable to all types of common infections. Children catch
colds after eating rich desserts or candy. When mothers eliminate
sweets from their children’s diet, these youngsters no longer
suffer frequent colds. I teach my students that 80 to 90 percent of
the time when children get upper-respiratory infections (sore
throat, sinus, or ear infection), it is because of a virus. A culture
should be taken. If the culture does not show pathogenic bacteria,
the child should not be given antibiotics. Antibiotics do not kill
viruses, but will kill the good bacteria and will further lower the
youngster’s resistance. The best treatment and prevention for
colds is a good diet with no junk food and sweets.
17
7. Stress – Studies in the 1960s suggested that stress
may affect the immune system. Early studies carried out in
animals showed that either physical or psychological stress
increases blood levels of corticosteroid, or “stress hormone.” The
stress hormone in turn causes the depression of all the immune
cells—B cells, T cells, NK cells, and phagocytes. Human studies
done in the past few years support this hypothesis (33). For
example, medical students have decreased NK cell activity and
decreased helper T lymphocytes just before a major examination
(34). A study involving more than 400 subjects shows that
psychological stress increases susceptibility to the common cold
(35). Individuals under stress experience more frequent and severe
respiratory infections than those who experience less stress. Sleep
deprivation, as a stress, has been shown to decrease T lymphocyte
function (36). Stress per se, however, is not necessarily
detrimental to the person or the immune system. Rather, what
matters is how the individual copes with the stress. Studies have
shown that breast cancer patients who cope poorly with stress
often have a poor prognosis, and vice versa (37).
Lifestyle habits that boosts the immune system
1. Plant-based diet – In terms of diet, more and more
scientific studies have confirmed the wisdom of the “original diet”
18
prescribed by our Creator recorded in the Bible in Genesis 1:29:
“God also said, ‘I give you all plants that bear seed everywhere on
earth, and every tree bearing fruit which yields seed: they shall be
yours for food’” (New English Bible). This “original diet”
consists of grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables. Scientific
studies have now shown that these plant-based foods are not only
adequate for proper nutrition, but extremely beneficial.
A German study showed that the total number of white
blood cells, lymphocytes, and other subpopulations did not differ
between vegetarians and nonvegetarians. However, the natural
killer cells of the vegetarians had a significantly greater ability to
kill cancer cells than the omnivorous controls by a factor of two.
These researchers suggested that the enhanced NK cells activity
may be one of the factors contributing to the lower cancer risk
among the vegetarians (38).
A large-scale collaborative nutrition study was conducted
by Chinese researchers, British nutritionists, and American
scientists under the leadership of Dr. Colin Campbell of Cornell
University (39). The study involved large populations in China
and revealed that meat and milk are not necessary for good health.
All the nutrients needed by the human race can be supplied by
19
plant sources. The study shows that the plant-based diet is
protective against cancer and coronary heart disease. Dr.
Campbell found the data so convincing that he became a
vegetarian himself.
A few years ago a prospective cohort study involving
122,261 Japanese men over a period of 16 years compared four
lifestyle habits: smoking, drinking (alcohol), meat consumption,
and the liberal use of green and yellow vegetables. The study
concluded that those who did not smoke or drink and consumed a
vegetable rather than a meat diet had the lowest incidence of
cancer, hypertension, heart disease, and a variety of other illnesses
as well (40).
2. Exercise – Pleasurable exercise provides not only
enjoyment and relaxation, but also beneficial strength to the
immune cells (41). Aerobic exercise nullifies emotional distress
and increases the activity of NK cells which are important in
fighting cancer and viruses, including the flu virus and the AIDS
virus. Moderate exercise increases interleukin 2 (a cytokine
produced by T lymphocytes) and tumor necrosis factor (a cytokine
produced by macrophages) (42). Both of these factors are needed
for a normal host defense. Exercise also increases the total
20
number of phagocytes. Individuals adhering to regular exercise
programs experience fewer infectious episodes.
Speaking of the AIDS virus, you may have wondered why
Magic Johnson’s doctors recommended retirement for the
basketball superstar. The explanation is that stress of any kind
may impair the immune function. Intense, vigorous, competitive
exercise depresses both cell-mediated and antibody-mediated
immunity (43). Especially with today’s win-at-all-cost attitude,
competitive exercise is stressful to athletes. This type of immune
suppression is also seen with exercising to exhaustion or
overtraining.
All in all, it appears that pleasurable and moderate exercise
such as walking, gardening, swimming, and cycling benefits the
immune function. At the same time, it may also lower the blood
pressure, improve digestion, tone muscles, and provide over-all
physical and emotional health benefits.
3. Stress management – “Courage, hope, faith,
sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented
mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the
soul. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine’ (Prov. 17:22).”
21
This quotation from page 241 of the book The Ministry of Healing
(44) has been applied to the field of Psychoneuroimmunology.
Stress, as mentioned before, is not necessarily detrimental
to the person or the immune system. Appropriate stress
management can actually benefit our defense mechanisms. In one
controlled study, the enhancement of immune competence (an
increase of NK cell activity) was demonstrated in 45 geriatric
residents by providing relaxation and social contact (45). In
another study, medical students who were given stress
management had an increase of helper T lymphocytes compared
with the control group (46).
There are different ways one can reduce daily stress. For
me, I find reading and meditating on the book of Proverbs to be
most rewarding. I also find it useful to transform negative
feelings into positive creative activities. My graduate students
often experience frustrations because of busy schedules or failure
in getting research done. During their time of “low spirit,” I
encourage them to read an enlightening book or write something
that is of special interest to them. Some of the most creative and
thought-provoking write-ups have been produced during these
times of discouragement. Most important of all, I have witnessed
22
a restoration of positive emotions as a result of converting
negative energy into positive activity.
A simple prescription
How can we best maintain a healthy immune system?
Here’s a prescription:
1. Eat wholesome, unrefined foods. Each day include
whole grains, fresh vegetables, legumes, and fresh fruits. Avoid
fats, sweets, and stimulants. Drink plenty of water between
(rather than during) meals.
2. Follow a regular exercise program. Remember,
purposeful exercise is the most beneficial. If you live close to
your office, try walking to work. If you cannot walk to work,
perhaps you can walk around your house for 15 to 20 minutes in
the morning and again in the evening after supper. Short-interval
moderate exercise several times throughout the day is more
beneficial than a long exhausting workout. Daily walking is a
good time to have pleasant conversations with a loved one, so
invite your spouse or friend to come along.
23
If you walk alone, this is a wonderful time to meditate
with nature. Take time to enjoy the natural surroundings of your
home or workplace. This form of exercise is guaranteed to relax
you and reduce stress. WALK, WALK, WALK–walking is the
best exercise.
3. Maximize your spiritual strength. If you do not
have a “routine” devotional program, I strongly urge you to begin
developing one. In addition, I am now suggesting that you have a
mobile altar where you can have communication with the Lord on
your walks. We can ask the Lord to help us cope with negative
feelings of discouragement, bitterness, and hostility, and to give
us peace. A devotional life full of love will aid in building a
strong immune system.
25
Chapter 3
A MINI-REVIEW OF BASIC IMMUNOLOGY
In this chapter, I would like to give you a mini-review of
the subject immunology. For those of you who have not had a
formal course in immunology, the information in chapter 2 may
give you some background information.
Immunology is the study of the immune function. In the
textbook we call it Immunity or Host Defense; we use these terms
interchangeably. There are two types of immunity: the Native and
the Adaptive Immunity. The Native Immunity is also referred to
as the Natural Immunity or Innate Immunity. Again, these terms
are used interchangeably. The Adaptive Immunity is also known
as the Acquired Immunity. Table 1 compares the Native and
Adaptive Immunity.
26
Table 1
Native versus Adaptive
Native Adaptive
(natural, innate) (acquired)
Present at birth Acquired in life
Non-specific
Not driven by antigen
No memory
Specific
Antigen-driven
Memory
The Native Immunity is the type that you and I are borne
with whereas the Adaptive or Acquired Immunity is the type that
you and I acquire in our life time. One of the unique properties of
the Acquired Immunity is that it is Specific. The reason it is
specific is because it is antigen-driven. Let me illustrate. If a
child has measles, in about two weeks his body will develop
immunity against the measles virus which is the Antigen. But this
immunity is specific for measles virus only, not for influenza virus
or common cold viruses; that is what we mean by being specific.
27
The Native Immunity, on the other hand, is Non-Specific because
it is not driven by an antigen. Therefore, the Native Immunity is
effective against different microorganisms–different bacteria and
different viruses including influenza, measles, and common cold
viruses (1). When I teach medical students, at this point of time I
would usually ask my students “Which of these two types of
immunity is more useful?” I believe you can easily see that the
Native or Natural or Innate Immunity is indeed more versatile.
That is probably one of the reasons why my associates and I have
devoted more than three decades of our time to study the natural
immunity. Rather, means to boost the natural immunity. We
have found our time well spent.
Another very important difference between these two
types of immunity is that Acquired Immunity has memory. Let me
illustrate again. The child with measles virus infection, developed
immunity against the virus in about two weeks and the immunity
waned in a few months or a year. However, few years down the
road, if this child encounters measles virus again, in a matter of 48
hours or less his body will mount a strong immunity against the
measles virus. Remember the first time it took two weeks for the
immunity to develop but this time it takes only two days, why?
Because there are memory cells that recognize the virus, and right
28
away, elicit a response to activate the immune system. The native
immunity does not have memory. It does not need to have
memory because the cells in the native immunity system are
always there to protect us, I mean, all the time, day and night.
Table 2
Table 2 gives some examples of various factors which are
a part of the Native Immunity. Your skin and mucous membranes
are a part of your Native Immunity. Those germs you have in
your body cavities are also a part of the Native Immunity; they
actually protect us from foreign intruders. As you will see very
soon, why I do not want us to use antibiotics indiscriminately to
29
kill our friendly microbes and destroy a part of our Native
Immunity. Complement is a protein we are borne with it and
plays an important role in fighting some of the bacteria for us.
Interferons are the glycoproteins made by our cells after virus
infection. They interfere with virus growth. Once when the
interferons are produced, they are effective against different
viruses in addition to the original virus that induces its production.
So the action is non-specific and that’s why it is a part of the
Native Immunity. Defensins are proteins secreted by neutrophils
(white blood cells) that kill bacteria. Lactoferrin is an iron
binding protein that inhibits bacterial growth. Lysozyme and
lysosomal enzymes lyze Gram-positive and Gram-negative
bacteria, respectively (2).
Then, there are four types of cells that are parts of the
Native Immunity: neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, and
natural killer cells. Natural killer cells are particularly important
in killing viruses and cancer cells.
Table 3 shows the Adaptive Immunity which is subdivided
into Humoral Immunity consisting of B lymphocytes and
antibodies and Cellular Immunity consisting of T lymphocytes
and their products.
30
Table 3
Please take a look of Figure 1 listing various factors such
as lysozyme in tears and other secretions, commensals (friendly
microbes that reside in our body), mucus, cilia, etc. Are these
factors a part of the Native or Adaptive Immunity? The answer is:
They are a part of the Native Immunity of course. Note the word
“Non-specific” which is the characteristic of Native immunity.
Before I leave this subject, allow me to re-emphasize one more
time: I just want to remind you that the friendly bacteria, the
commensals in the figure, are a part of our defense mechanisms.
When one has a viral infection, antibacterial antibiotics should
31
never be used. When we kill the friendly bacteria, we kill our
faithful unseen soldiers.
Figure 1
Figure 2 shows the two types of lymphoid organs. The
Primary Lymphoid Organs refer to where lymphocytes are
developed. The Secondary Lymphoid Organs are the sites where
the activities of lymphocytes are being carried out. The two
Primary Lymphoid Organs are the thymus and the bone marrow.
Thymus gives rise of T lymphocytes and bone marrow is where
32
the B lymphocytes are derived. The Secondary Lymphoid
Organs include various lymph nodes and the spleen.
Figure 2
Table 4 compares the Native versus Acquired Immunity
one more time. In the table, you see the expressions “Not
improved or improved by repeated infection.” Can you find
another way to express this quotation? If you said “memory”
versus “no memory,” you are absolutely right. In other words,
Native Immunity has no memory and Adaptive Immunity has
memory.
33
Table 4
Comparison
Native Immunity
Adaptive Immunity
Not improved by
repeated infection
Improved by
repeated infection
Soluble
factors
C’, defensins,
lysozymes,
interferons, etc.
Immunoglobulins
(IgM, IgA, IgG, IgE),
lymphokines
Cells
Phagocytes,
NK cells
B lymphocytes
T lymphocytes
Table 5 describes the functions of immune cells.
Phagocytes refer to neutrophils, monocytes and macrophages
which are important for fighting bacteria, viruses, parasites, and
any unwanted particles in our body. B cells are needed to fight
bacteria, viruses, and parasites. T cells are important in fighting
viruses, intracellular microbes, and cancer cells. As mentioned
before, natural killer cells are important for fighting viruses and
cancer cells (3).
34
Table 5
Figure 3 is a cartoon my wife made for me for a meeting I
presented to a group of physicians a few years ago. The meeting
was at 1 p.m., right after lunch. I wanted to use a slide that would
keep the audience awake. Please look at this figure and tell
yourself which one has memory and which one does not.
In the last chapter, I described to you the things that
weaken our immune system. In Figure 4, I used the two words
“FAT CAT” to describe the six most important factors that
suppress the immune function. What is the fat cat?
35
Figure 3
Figure 4
36
Figure 5 lists these six factors: FAT refers to food (rich
food with a lot of fats and refined sugars), anxiety (stress), and
toxicity (chemicals). CAT refers to three legalized drugs used by
the general public: caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco (4, 5). Do these
six factors contribute to colds, flu, and other respiratory infections?
You bet they do. Taking flu shot or drug Tamiflu may not protect
you. Flu virus mutates and changes its antigen very rapidly. By
the time vaccine is manufactured, the virus (weather it is swine flu
or any flu virus) has already changed its face. Hence vaccine may
not protect us from mutated new virus. Tamiflu is a prescription
antiviral medication that is supposedly to reduce symptoms of flu.
However, it has quite severe side effects in some individuals, such
as hallucination, encephalitis, and suicide (6). On the other hand,
change your lifestyle is your guarantee of protection. What if you
do develop colds, flu, or other respiratory diseases. Are you going
to die? The answer depends on what type of treatment you choose
to receive. If you learn to use the simple treatment modalities I
am going to share with you in this book, you are going to do
alright. If you are treated by a doctor who does not know about
the method described in this book, please tactfully educate your
doctor and ask him or her to be sure to include moist heat
treatment. You do not have to become a statistics. Our loving
Heavenly Father has given us this simple method. And He wants
37
you to use this method to save your life. When you get well,
thank our Heavenly Father for healing you.
Figure 5
39
Chapter 4
AN EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR RESPIRATORY
INFECTIONS
Figure 1 describes the respiratory organs which include 1.
Nose, 2. Mouth, 3. Nasopharynx (junction between nose and
throat), 4. Pharynx or throat, 5. Larynx (voice box) – these organs
are a part of the Upper Respiratory Tract. 5. is also the Trachea
or the windpipe. The broken line cutting through the windpipe
divides the respiratory tract into the upper and the lower tract.
Bronchi and the lungs are organs in the Lower Respiratory Tract.
In addition, we also include paranasal sinuses, middle ears, and
epiglottis as part of the respiratory tract.
40
Figure 1
model.
Figure
2
depicts
some of
these
organs
in an
anatomi
cal
F
i
g
u
r
e
2
41
Table 1 gives the microorganisms that are normally
present in the upper respiratory tract.
Table 1
The upper respiratory tract is inhabited by a large variety
of microbes under normal condition. Remember now, these are
commensals. “Com” means ”same,” “mensa” means” “table.”
Commensals are friendly people “eating at the same table.” In
old countries, when we go out to eat, some one (the host) will pay
for the rest of the people who are guests. The microbes in our
upper respiratory tract are our guests and you and I are the hosts.
The host of course is nice to the guests and the guests, in turn, are
courteous to the host and will show their gratitude by doing
something nice to the host. Nowadays, when young people go out
42
to eat, they go on Dutch and pay for their own meals and this is of
course not Commensals. At any rate, the microbes in the upper
respiratory tract actually protect us in one way or the other and
they are a part of the Natural Immunity. Now, just think for a
moment, when you have a viral infection, you take antibiotics
which kill these friendly bacteria. Are you doing yourselves a
favor? Or are you harming yourselves by destroying your
Natural or Native Immunity?
Under normal situation, the lower respiratory tract is sterile,
meaning there are no live organisms. Any bacteria or viruses enter
the lower respiratory tract are either removed by coughing or by
small hair-like structures called cilia on the epithelial cells in the
trachea and bronchi that sweep them out of the system. If
microbes happen to settle down in the terminal parts (the air sacs)
of the lungs, they are instantly killed by the macrophages. That’s
why there are no live microbes in the bronchi and lungs. There
may be microbes there but they are dead. However, if a person’s
immune function is no good, there is then a different story. That
means we have to help our body to kill the germs, not by
antibiotics, but rather, by the hydrotherapy you are going to learn
in this book.
43
Table 2 lists the four clinical entities that may encompass
the infections of the respiratory system. Most of us have
experienced symptoms of common colds, so called because they
are so common. Some of us may have sore throat or pharyngitis.
With viral infection, sinuses and middle ears may also be the sites
of inflammation leading to sinusitis and otitis media (middle ear
infection). In those with poor immunity the trachea (wind pipe),
the bronchi, and the lungs may be infected. Tracheobronchitis and
pneumonia need to be treated wisely otherwise, death often is the
outcome. The current protocol for treating these clinical entities is
flawed and ineffective at best, and far from being desirable and is
thus in dire need of reevaluation.
Table 2
44
In the remainder of this chapter, I would like to share with
you a very important concept that I have taught my medical
students for more than three decades. So please sit back, relax,
and pretend you are in an auditorium with 160 or more of my
students. The class has just begun. My energetic students have
their eyes wide open wondering what knowledge their teacher has
to convey to them today. The concept is called "The Triangle of
Infection" (1, 2). I usually will flash on the screen a slide showing
the triangle which you can now see on Figure 3.
Figure 3
45
The disease process can be illustrated using this triangle.
The three angles are: the etiology (Webster defines it as "the
assignment of a cause or reason"), the susceptible host, and
predisposing factors. If we use infection as an example, the three
angles are: 1) microbes as the etiologic agent, 2) a susceptible
host or a person who is susceptible because of impaired immunity,
impaired phagocytic function, poor nutrition and/or a risky
lifestyle determining the susceptibility, and 3) certain factors such
as trauma, toxic exposure, stress and underlying disease (such as
diabetes) which predispose a person to infection (Figure 4).
Figure 4
46
Looking at the triangle, one needs to recognize that
microorganisms alone do not usually cause infection unless there
is a susceptible host, even though we give the textbook definition
of infection as an invasion of the body by microorganisms. The
concept that I want to emphasize is that microorganisms alone
do not usually cause infection unless there is a susceptible
human being or animal. Having said that, let me hasten to add that
even with a susceptible host and the presence of microbes, there
still may not be an infection unless the process is triggered by
certain predisposing factors. For this reason, in the prevention or
treatment of an infectious disease, we need to look at all three
angles rather than just one of these angles. Merely killing the
microbes may not be the best solution. Indeed often carried with
it is the price of unwanted side effects. Typical examples are
yeast infections such as Candida oral thrush and Candida
vaginitis following the use of a broad spectrum antibiotic.
In the case of infection we obviously need to consider the
microbes as the primary factor, and the host and predisposing
factors as secondary factors. However, it is equally important to
bear in mind when considering a disease that all three angles have
equal weight or significance. An example of a clinical entity I
often use with my medical students is diarrhea. It has been
47
estimated that in the world each day there are 20 million people
suffering from diarrhea. We all know that often our diarrhea is
simply due to eating the wrong kind of food. In other words, it
may not have anything to do with the microbes. In the figure
under microbes, I have "friends or enemies." The point is that it
may not be easy to know which microbe is the enemy and which
is the friend. For example, a person eats the wrong kind of food
and has diarrhea. If he consults a physician and gets a course of
antibiotic, he will then be killing the friendly bacteria without
touching the enemy at all, since there isn't any enemy to begin
with.
Looking at the third angle, the predisposing factors, it is
my practice to constantly remind my students that this angle is a
very important one. It too may be the primary reason of a
complaint, rather than secondary. Again, take the complaint of
diarrhea. It is true that we do not want to miss those germs like
Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Vibrio that are famous
intestinal pathogens. What I want to remind my students is that
before they write a prescription for a potent drug, find out and
study what drugs the patient has been taking. In my own
experience, I have seen case after case of patients complaining of
diarrhea or other gastrointestinal discomfort due to one or more
48
drugs received from a doctor. An assignment I have given my
students is to check the Physicians' Desk Reference (PDR) to
make a list of drugs without gastrointestinal side effects. The
current PDR has more than 3000 pages. The lesson to be learned
from this exercise is that there are very few drugs in the big book
without gastrointestinal side effects! So let me make a short
conclusive remark regarding the triangle: each of the three angles
can have equal importance.
It is important to point out that this triangle and its basic
principle applies not only to infection but also to most, if not all,
major diseases inflicting the human race. For example, we can
change the entity from infection to cancer and all we need to
modify is just one of the triangles — adding chemical carcinogens
and radiation to the microbes. It is now recognized that the three
best-known causes of cancer are chemical carcinogens, radiation,
and viruses. With that in mind, the prevention and treatment of
cancer should thus encompass all three angles. Merely killing the
viruses is not the solution. For that matter, current methods of
aiming only at killing cancer cells is not adequate. One needs to
strengthen the host and to remove the predisposing factor in order
to obtain a satisfactory and lasting result.
49
What about colds, flu and other respiratory infections? The
same principle applies here. The main culprits are viruses
(microbes). But I need to remind all of us that there is the
HOST—lifestyle, nutrition, and the immune status; and there are
predisposing factors—toxic exposure such as smoking, alcohol,
recreational drugs, refined sugar; trauma, stress, and an underlying
disease such as diabetes. In my experience, I find refined sugar to
be the most frequent predisposing factor for viral infections. So to
prevent colds and flu and to help individuals with respiratory
infection, we need to consider all the three angles.
Methods aimed at only killing viruses are not useful.
Whatever kills viruses most likely will also harm our body cells
including immune cells. Each year millions of people receive flu
vaccine. Unfortunately, flu vaccines are not very effective.
Influenza viruses mutate very rapidly. By the time vaccines are
available, the virus has already changed its face. Hence vaccine
may not protect us from mutated new virus. One needs to
strengthen the host through lifestyle modification and proper
nutrition. Stay away from refined sugar which lowers the host
resistance. Oh, yes, other predisposing factors, which are equally
important, need to be removed. Drugs (recreational, "over the
50
counter", prescription, legal, or illegal) and toxic materials that
suppress the immune system can no longer be tolerated.
Do we have some thing that will kill the flu virus? The
answer is YES. In the subsequent chapters you are going to learn
this simple hydrotherapy method called “fomentation” meaning
the use of moist heat. Applied locally, in this case to the chest
and/or the back, it selectively kills microbes (it does not matter
whether it is cold or flu virus or whatever viruses) in the chest.
This method spares the friendly microbes (the commensals) in
other parts of our body. When we use the antibiotics, if they are
effective in killing microbes, they will kill both the commensals
and the trouble makers in all our body. Very few antibiotics can
selectively kill only the trouble makers. As far as viruses are
concerned, antibiotics don’t do any good. The moist heat also
helps to clear the mucus removing the offending debris that may
kill the person.
Quite a few years ago, I came across a book entitled The
Ministry of Healing written by Ellen G. White a century ago (3). I
was impressed with a statement on page 127 of this book where
she says, "In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained.
Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected.
51
Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and
to re-establish right conditions in the system." Let us apply this
statement to our triangle: In case of sickness (again, let's say in
this case we are dealing with colds or flu), we are to do five things:
1. Cause should be ascertained (not just the microbes
but the whole triangle).
2. Unhealthful conditions should be changed (this
means maybe we need to change our lifestyle).
3. Wrong habits should be corrected (smoking,
drinking, and refined sugar).
4. Assist nature to expel impurities (such as mucus
accumulation).
5. Re-establish right conditions in the system (we
need to cooperate with nature and allow our body
to heal itself).
Maybe at this moment the question you have in your mind
is "What does hydrotherapy have to do with this?" Please read
point number four again. Hydrotherapy can help our bodies expel
impurities and toxic waste products. It can strengthen our natural
immunity and kill those microbes causing trouble in our chest.
The beauty of moist heat treatment is that it kills all the microbes
52
in the right place. We don’t even have to know the specific names
of the viruses. Instead of spending millions of dollars to look for
the name of a virus or its nucleic acid (gene) and billions of
dollars to develop the drugs and/or vaccine, let us get rid of the
virus NOW with the simple hydrotherapy! Looking at the triangle
again, we see that hydrotherapy actually encompasses all three
angles; won’t you agree?
53
Chapter 5
TREATMENT FOR FOUR CLINICAL ENTITIES
The clinical entities that may be associated with the
respiratory system are: Common colds, pharyngitis, acute sinusitis
and otitis media, and tracheobronchitis and pneumonia.
Common Colds
Table 1 gives the symptoms of common colds: sneezing,
running nose, watery eyes, and just plain miserable!
Table 1
54
What kinds of microbes cause these symptoms? Just about
any kind of viruses. In my practice, I see mostly the three groups
of viruses: Rhinoviruses–more than 100 types; Influenza A, B,
and C with many subtypes, and Coxsackie A and B also many
subtypes (Table 2).
Table 2
For treatment, we use fomentation with hot moist towel
over the face. Patient will also do hot foot bath (Figure 1). Fill a
basin or bucket with hot water about 104 degree Fahrenheit.
Some people can take hotter water up to 107 degree. But don’t
burn yourself. Put both feet in the hot water which should cover
55
the ankles. Stay in the hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. You may
have to replenish the hot water. After 10 to 15 minutes, run cold
water over your feet and dry your feet. Put on socks. If you can
lie down and sleep for 1 or 2 hours, by the time you get up your
cold is already over. We advise the person to stay away from
refined sugar which feeds the viruses and make our immune cells
lazy. Rest is very healing as it conserves the energy to fight the
infection.
Figure 1
56
Pharyngitis
With sore throat, we perform a rapid culture test to rule out
Streptococcus pyogenes which may lead to glomerulonephritis or
rheumatic fever in a small percentage of infected people who are
not treated. 90 to 95% of the time when people have sore throat it
is caused by a virus. With sore throat the hydrotherapy is to wrap
a wet towel (start out with a towel wetted in tap water), around the
neck. You can use a safety pin to keep the towel in place. I
usually use a clean cotton sock instead of towel for this purpose.
See Figure 2.
Figure 2
57
It is more convenient to do this procedure at night and
sleep through the night with the wrap. By morning, the towel or
cotton sock is dry and the throat is better. If not, repeat the
procedure another time. This procedure is also good for laryngitis
when a person loses the voice.
Sinusitis and otitis media
For these conditions, hot foot bath is most powerful
(Figure 3). One can also apply moist heat over the sinuses and
outside the ears. One of the young doctors, my former student in
the medical school, had terrible sinusitis for three to four weeks.
He took antibiotics and decongestants but still his nose was
plugged and he was miserable. He did not like it as he was too
embarrassed when patients asked what was wrong with him. He
answered them “nothing,” obviously, that was not a good answer.
In desperation, he called and wondered if I had anything to offer.
I told him about the hot foot bath. He said his grandmother used
to do that. I told him that his grandmother was a wise woman. He
tried hot foot bath and was so happy that he could breathe with his
nose again instead of his mouth.
58
Figure 3
Tracheobronchitis/Pneumonia
Fomentation (moist heat) is applied over the back and the
chest (Figure 4). In female with large breasts, the back is more
effective for this type of treatment. We use eucalyptus oil one or
two drops taken by mouth to encourage expectoration of the
sputum and ease up the cough. In the book Selected Message—
Volume 2, pages 300-301, by E.G. White it describes many cases
of chronic cough cured by eucalyptus oil (1).
59
Figure 4
Table 3 shows the five important benefits derived from
fomentation:
Table 3
60
Moist heat penetrates the tissue 2 to 5 inches. In a non-
obese person this reach deep down to the chest. Depending on
individuals, some can tolerate as hot as 120-130°F of the moist
heat. Most of us have no problem with 110°F. Even at this
temperature, microbes including influenza virus are easily killed.
Moist heat improves circulation with increase of white blood cells
and interferons to the local cite to kill the viruses. Moist heat
encourages perspiration with elimination of waste products and
toxins through the skin. It also loosens the phlegm so the person
can cough up the mucous secretions.
During the time of treatment, we encourage the patient to
drink hot herbal tea. Teas can be made from Echinaecea, red
clover, peppermint, elderberry, or ginger roots. Any one of these
teas is good for fighting the viral infection and preventing
dehydration. We do not suppress the fever. If temperature is above
103°F, we place an ice bag over the person’s forehead. Ideally,
this fomentation treatment should be given for 30 minutes but at
least 15 minutes. It can be given every 4 to 6 hours until patient is
well.
To prevent respiratory infection, I give my patients an
herbal formula called Cold Remedy (Figurer 5). This formula has
61
Echinacea, garlic, Astragalus (a Chinese herb), Sambucus (elder
berries), and cayenne pepper. My patients take one dropperful of
the cold remedy whenever they have the first sign of cold. They
are usually able to abort the cold right away.
Figure 5
You can also have a home-made Cold Remedy with
ingredients you can purchase from your local grocery store. These
are the ingredients: Garlic, onion, cayenne pepper, ginger root,
and horse radish. Place equal amount of these ingredients in a
blender and add apple cider vinegar or fresh fruit juice a little
62
above the ingredients. Blend the mixture to fine suspension. Strain
the suspension and save the liquid as cold remedy. When you
have the first sign of cold, take one or two spoons of this liquid
every hour until you abort the cold. Keep this liquid in the
refrigerator. It will stay good for several months.
General guidelines on hydrotherapy
Figure 6 gives the body sites where hydrotherapy may be
effectively applied (2). Generally speaking, one can apply moist
heat to the body site where there is a problem. For example, a
person has sinus problem, you can apply moist heat to the sinuses.
But with the hot foot bath, one can treat sinuses even more
effectively. Hot foot bath is probably one of the most versatile
hydrotherapy treatments. From Figure 6, you can see that the hot
foot bath is good for treating problems related to the brain, head,
face, and neck. It is also effective for problems related to the
genitourinary tract, e.g., bladder, uterus, vagina, and prostate. In
addition, we use it to treat upper respiratory passages and sinuses.
That’s why I said Hot Foot Bath is one of the most versatile
hydrotherapy modalities.
63
Figure 6
Adapted from Thrash, A. and Thrash, C.: Home Remedies.
65
Chapter 6
THE HOW OF HYDROTHERAPY
Historical background
Hydrotherapy (water therapy) is not new. It has been used
by healers throughout the human history. From earliest times,
people have used hydrotherapy for the treatment of diseases. The
bath chambers may have been created by the Egyptians. The Jews,
Greeks, Romans all were proponents of hydrotherapy. Most of
the earlier civilizations used baths for health and sickness.
Particularly the Romans used the bath houses for treating illnesses.
The eminent Greek physician Hippocrates (460-370 BC), known
as the Father of Medicine, advocated the use of baths for healing
of diseases. Another well known physician, Dr. John Harvey
Kellogg, over 100 years ago, in Battle Creek, Michigan, treated
thousands of patients with hydrotherapy. He successfully treated
serious infections and pneumonia with the use of hydrotherapy
66
and proper diet. Other physicians in the early 20th century also
were successful in treating a variety of infections, chronic diseases,
and pneumonia. For those of you who are interested in learning
more about this treatment modality, I would recommend four
excellent books.
1. The Complete Book of Water Healing, by Dian D.
Bachman, Ph.D. 1994. Instant Improvement, Inc.
New York.
2. Simple Remedies for the Home, by Clarence W.
Dail, M.D. and Charles S. Thomas, Ph.D. 1991.
Teach Services, 182 Donivan Road, Brushton, NY,
12916.
3. Home Remedies, by Agatha Thrash, M.D. and
Calvin Thrash, M.D. 1981. Thrash Publications, Rt.
1, Box 283, Seale, AL 36875
4. Simple Water Treatment for the Home, by Charles
Thomas, Ph.D. 1977. University Press, Loma Linda,
CA 92354.
67
Hydrotherapy is the use of water inside and outside of the
body for treating diseases.
Drinking water
Drinking pure water is the best way of delivering nutrients
to and removing toxic wastes from the cells. Patients with colds
and flu generally have fever. They must be encouraged to drink
plenty of pure water. Drinking 2-3 pints of cold water often can
reduce a high fever from one to three degrees in about ten minutes.
Cold water not only lowers the body temperature, but also helps
the skin and kidneys to eliminate toxins. More importantly, it
helps to remove the mucus from the respiratory tract thereby
relieves coughing, congestion, and improves breathing.
Local application of water
Not only must one drink plenty of pure water during
respiratory infection but also it is important to apply water to the
body during this illness. In the following pages I will describe
step by step a variety of hydrotherapy methods on different parts
of the body for the treatment of respiratory infections. When
hydrotherapy is applied intelligently, it is one of the most
68
powerful tools that can affect a complete recovery. The two
important points to consider in the use of water therapy or
hydrotherapy are: one, the temperature, and two, the location of
application.
It is my hope that you will be able to learn to use these
procedures. In doubt, it is always wise to consult a health care
professional who is experienced in these methods to guide you.
I will describe three hydrotherapy procedures useful for
persons with respiratory infections:
Hot Foot Bath
A Hot Foot Bath is just an immersion of the feet and
ankles in hot water with a temperature between 103 and 110°F. It
will cause an increase of blood flow through the feet, and also will
help with decongestion to the internal organs such as the head,
and chest. The Hot Foot Bath not only provides relaxation to the
patient, but more importantly, it helps to increase the activity of
the white blood cells to enhance the person’s immunity. The Hot
Foot Bath is one of the most useful of all hydrotherapy techniques.
69
It is convenient, does not require any special equipment, and can
be applied by anyone, any time, and anywhere.
General instructions:
Use the Hot Foot Bath with precaution on anyone with
circulatory problems of the feet and legs or where there is loss of
sensation to that area. Be sure check the water temperature with a
thermometer before putting the patient’s feet in the bath. Try to
keep the water at about 104°F.
The patient can lie in bed with the foot tub or a large
container placed on the bed protected by towel or plastic sheet.
Or the person may be seated on the side of a bathtub with a basin
inside the bathtub, under the spigot to replenish the hot water; or
sit on a chair with the feet in a basin.
Materials needed:
Thermometer (an inexpensive kitchen thermometer will do)
Foot basin or a trash can or dish pan
Smaller basin with ice cubes and water
Large towels and wash cloths
70
Procedures:
1. Fill the basin with hot water about half full. The
temperature of the water should be 103 to 110°F. More
important, it should be comfortable to the patient.
2. Carefully place the feet in the water, making sure the water
is not too hot. Continue to fill it so the water level is about
two inches above the ankles.
3. After the patient is warmed, place wash cloths in ice water.
Wring out and place the cool wash cloth on forehead.
Change it every 2-3 minutes. If patient’s fever is not high,
this step can be omitted.
4. Add hot water frequently during the treatment to maintain
the desired temperature and as tolerated by the patient.
5. Stay in the foot bath for approximately 15 minutes or
longer as tolerated.
6. End the Hot Foot Bath by pouring cold water over the feet.
71
7. Immediately dry the feet thoroughly, especially between
the toes. Put on warm sox.
8. If the patient is perspiring, dry the body thoroughly and
quickly. Do not allow the patient to get chilled.
9. Allow the patient to lie down and rest for 30 to 60 minutes
to complete the treatment.
10. Give large glass of water to drink during this time.
A modified Hot Foot Bath can be carried out in persons
with general good health and who are able by climbing up to the
counter of household sink and place the feet in the sink with hot
water. This is the way I give myself hot foot bath.
Cold Moist Compress to the Throat/Neck
Patients with respiratory infections may also complain of
sore throat, laryngitis, tonsillitis, and swollen glands. The cold
moist compress to the throat and neck is one of the most effective
water treatments for these conditions. It’s simple and results are
quick.
72
Procedure:
1. Fold a cotton or flannel cloth, a old tee shirt, cotton sox or
old strip of towel about 3 inches wide.
2. Dip it in cold tap water. Wring out, leaving it still damp
but not dripping wet.
3. Wind the cloth once around the neck.
4. Wrap another dry cloth (slightly larger piece) over the wet
cloth. Cover it completely. Tuck the ends or use a safety
pin to hold it in place.
5. Sleep with it all night. Next morning the cloth is dry and
the sore throat is gone. If not, repeat the process the next
day or night.
Fomentation to the Chest and/or Back
Fomentation is a local application of moist heat to the
body surface. The moist heat promotes an increase in the blood
flow to the skin, thereby relieving internal congestion. It also
73
relieves muscle spasm and increases elimination of toxins by
promoting the body to sweat.
For congestion of the lower respiratory tract, a moist heat
compress to the chest and/or the back (back is a better site for
women with large breasts) will produce excellent results in
hastening the recovery. The procedure should be repeated several
times a day. If desired, both the Hot Food Bath and the
Fomentation to the chest can be applied simultaneously.
Regardless whether Hot Foot Bath is used, fomentation to the
chest and/or back is a MUST as this is the most important
modality.
Procedure:
1. Keep the room warm and avoid draft. Have the patient
disrobe from waist up. Cover the chest with a dry towel.
Then cover the whole body with sheets and blankets as
needed.
2. Wet a large towel and fold it to fit the chest. Squeeze out
excess water, but still somewhat wet.
74
3. Place the wet towel in microwave oven for 3-5 minutes.
Or place the towel in a pan of boiling water if no
microwave is available.
4. Immediately wrap this hot moist towel in a dry towel and
place it on the upper chest of the patient. Be careful not to
burn the person. If still too hot, place another dry towel
between the skin and the hot towel. Have several extra
towels handy to be quickly placed between the skin and
the hot towel to avoid burns. In case the skin is burned,
apply a thin layer of burn cream (Unguentine Ointment for
Burn is very good to use. Get a tube from the pharmacy
and keep it in the house.)
5. If patient has fever, apply cold wash cloth on the forehead
after the patient is warmed by the fomentation; change the
cold wash cloth every few minutes.
6. Leave it on for few minutes until the towel cools. Quickly
replace with another fresh hot wet towel wrapped in a dry
towel. Do three changes so that a total treatment of about
15 to 20 minutes.
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7. Finish the treatment with a cold wash cloth rubbing briskly
and gently over the chest. Dry the area. If the patient is
perspiring, dry the body thoroughly. Avoid chilling the
patient.
8. Quickly cover the patient and let him/her rest for at least
one hour.
9. Drink a large glass of warm water when the patient is
awake.
10. Treatment can be given to the patient’s back to achieve the
same results.
Hydrocollator?
One can purchase a silica gel Hydrocollator? Steam Pack
(Manufactured by Chattanooga Group, Inc., Hixson, TN 37343)
from the drugstore. Follow the manufacture’s instructions. When
using the Hydrocollator, if it is thoroughly heated, it will retain the
heat for 30-45 minutes. Since the Hydrocollator can get
extremely hot, be especially cautious not to burn the patient by
providing extra towels between the Hydrocollator and the
76
patient’s skin. As it cools down, one may remove one towel at a
time. Always keep the Hydrocollator submerged in a pan of water
when it is not in use. For storage for future use, be sure to place
the Hydrocollator in a plastic bag and store it in the freezer. It is
good for many years.
Thermophore? (Automatic Moist Heat Pack, by Battle Creek
Equipment, Battle Creek, MI 49017-2385)
This device is most convenient to giving fomentation.
One can even give this treatment him/herself with this device. It
can also be purchased from a pharmacy. It can be used quite
effectively by first wetting a towel with hot water from the tap,
wring out and place on the chest or the back. Then place the
Thermophore directly on top of the hot towel. By holding down
the switch on the heating pad, the heat is thus maintained. One can
give the treatment for 20 to 30 minutes easily. This treatment can
be done by the patient himself or herself. The treatment can be
repeated several times a day as desired.
Other moist heat packs are available in the drug stores.
But I find Battle Creek product the best in that it gives adequate
heat. It costs a bit more than other brands. If you use other brands,
77
be sure to check out it will give enough heat. It is important to
wet the towel in water as hot as possible. Then use the electric
heating pad to maintain rather than to increase the temperature.
This method of using hot moist towel and the electric
heating pad is the most efficient and easiest way of giving the
fomentation treatment. My son, a musician, had severe bronchitis
a few years ago. He was not able to cough out anything and had
difficulty to breathe. He did microwave moist heat for a whole
week and still suffered choking for air. He thought he was going
to die. When he called, my wife told him to buy a Battle Creek
Moist Heat Pack. He did this modified fomentation with Battle
Creek Moist Heat Pack for the entire four hours instead of 30
minutes every four hours as we usually instruct our patients to do.
At any rate, after 4 hours of treatment, he coughed and spitted
sputum during the next 4 hours. He estimated that two cups of
mucus came out. And he was completely well after that. The
advantage of using this electric moist heat pad is one can give this
treatment to himself or herself with ease. Treatment can be given
for 40 minutes to one hour or longer; and as often as needed.
79
Chapter 7
NUTRITION TO PREVENT COLDS AND FLU
Good nutrition is the corner stone for building up one’s
immune system. It is especially important during colds and flu
season. Every morsel of food and drink ingested must contribute
to the health of the cells. Foods to consume freely as tolerated are:
unprocessed whole grains; whole legumes such as peas, lentils,
and a variety of beans; fresh fruit in season; fresh vegetables in
season. Drink plenty of pure water and freshly extracted fruit and
vegetable juices.
Foods to avoid during respiratory disease are: any item
that contains refined sugar, corn syrup, fructose, artificial
sweeteners, and food additives such as preservatives, artificial
flavors and food colorings. Avoid all dairy products such as milk,
80
yogurt, ice cream, cheeses. Also avoid any animal products, meat,
fish and chicken and its byproducts. Avoid all caffeinated
beverages such as coffee, tea, colas, soft drinks and alcoholic
beverages. Do not use or minimize the use of canned and
processed foods.
Learn to read labels — many food items in the grocery
store contain sugar and milk. Just to name a few: all breads,
crackers, energy bars, dry cereals, cookies, cakes, pies, muffins,
cupcakes, doughnuts, croissants, many frozen dinners and
processed food packages. Most soft drinks and liquid nutritional
drinks (often given in the hospitals) are loaded with sugar.
Remember to read the ingredients in the labels! Do not have to
read the “Nutrition Facts,” it does not do any good. It is more
important to know you do not have ingredients that are not good
for you.
Sugar lowers the immune function
People love sugar. So do the germs! The sugar in your
body attracts the germs, including the cold and flu viruses. These
viruses quickly attack the cells where they can make themselves
81
quite comfortably at home. As mentioned in Chapter 2, my
colleagues and I showed that refined sugars lower our natural
resistance to fight infections (1).
Sugar is a common ingredient in many foods. Since the
refining process, sugar is easily consumed in large quantities
without realizing it. For instance, it takes a three-foot sugar cane
to produce one teaspoon of sugar. Most of us probably will not
have the energy or patience to chew a three-foot sugar cane. Yet,
it is very easy to put one teaspoon of sugar in one’s beverage or
on top of cereal. It is estimated that the average consumption of
sugar in the United States is 35 teaspoons per day. Thirty-five
teaspoons of table sugar a day! This is only the average
consumption. Thirty-five teaspoons of sugar is equivalent to 35 x
3' = 105 feet of sugar cane!!! Probably not too many of us are
willing to chew 105 feet of sugar cane a day.
You may wonder how any person can consume 35
teaspoons of sugar in a single day. It is quite easy. Look at the
following commonly consumed items:
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Contains Approximately:
1 can of soft drink 13 teaspoons sugar
1 can of liquid nutritional drink 10 teaspoons sugar Non-
fat yogurt 4 -6 teaspoons sugar
1 can slim drink 9 teaspoons sugar
1 cup sport drinks 3-4 teaspoon sugar
1 serving dry cereal 2-3 teaspoons sugar
1 candy bar 7 teaspoons sugar
1 doughnut or cupcake 6 teaspoons sugar
1 slice pie 10 teaspoons sugar
1 slice cake 15 teaspoons sugar
1 scoop ice cream 6 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon jams or jelly 3 teaspoons sugar
1 cookie 2 teaspoons sugar
Remember, viruses love sweets. So don’t feed them.
Sweets make our immune cells lazy. Feed your body with only
good nutrients that will safe guard any invasion from germs.
Just a brief note about artificial sweeteners. As a general
rule, do not use them. They can be toxic to the body. One may
use some unprocessed natural sugars such as raw honey, date
83
sugar, pure maple syrup, raw agave nectar or any unprocessed raw
sugar. Again, use them sparingly as they are concentrated foods.
Why avoid milk and dairy products?
It is a known fact that milk is one of the most mucus
forming foods (2, 3, 4). Often those who consume dairy foods on
a regular basis may lay down layer upon layer of mucus in the
respiratory tract, and colon. With colds and flu, one is especially
reminded of the respiratory discomforts, and therefore, must avoid
milk and dairy products. In the earlier chapters, we have
discussed the use of hydrotherapy as an effective way to get rid of
this accumulated mucus. Always remember to read the labels for
listed ingredients such as: milk, casein, whey. When one’s
respiratory tract is clear of any mucus, all breathing difficulties,
coughing, and wheezing will be minimized.
Herbs to strengthen the immune system
Garlic—Garlic is an excellent expectorant for persons with cough.
Since the active ingredient of garlic is eliminated via the lungs,
this helps the lungs to give off a more watery secretion, enabling
one to more readily expectorate thick, dry and heavy mucus.
84
Garlic is known for its anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties
which provides additional benefit for persons with respiratory
infections. My associates and I have conducted garlic research for
more than two decades and have published more than 30 papers
on garlic (5-15).
Echinacea—this herb has antibacterial, antiviral properties and is
an immunity booster. It prevents infection from spreading. More
than 80 clinical studies showing its immune enhancing property
have been published by European and American researchers (16-
20).
Astragalus—widely used in China as a tonic. Twenty years ago
my associates and I studied this herb and found it to be one of the
most potent immune enhancers for both the natural and the
adaptive immunity. We have published several papers on this herb
(21, 22).
I have included these and some additional herbs in my
Cold Remedy.
You can actually have a home-made cold remedy right in
your own kitchen. Here’s how you do it with ingredients you can
85
get from your grocery stores. I am including the following
information just in case you did not read the previous chapters.
Put in a blender equal part of:
1. Garlic cloves, peeled
2. Ginger root, peeled
3. Cayenne pepper
4. Onion, chopped in chunks
Cover with organic apple cider vinegar. You can also add
maple syrup or raw honey as desired. Blend until smooth. You can
use this as a salad dressing or topping on pasta or rice and at the
same time to prevent and/or treat colds and flu. Some people have
strained this mixture with kitchen wash towel or filter paper and
store the liquid in dropper bottles, and take 1 or 2 dropperfuls
when they have the first sign of cold. By adding horseradish to
this recipe, one can use it to treat sinus problems.
87
Chapter 8
CONCLUSIONS
In this book I have described a simple and effective
treatment for respiratory infections. This treatment modality can
save the lives of those with flu and severe pneumonia. The beauty
of moist heat treatment is it can kill all kinds of viruses whether it
is influenza or whatnot. It will kill only viruses in the chest that
cause the trouble. Unlike antibiotics it spares the good germs in
other part of our body, namely, it spares the commensals which
are a part of our natural immune system.
For more than a century the medical profession has
suffered the consequence of the wrong paradigm of worshiping
the “Germ theory” (3, 4, 5) as put forth by Louis Pasteur (1822-
88
1895). Pasteur viewed the body as a sterile machine that will
function properly until a foreign substance is introduced. Therefore,
it is thought that when specific microbes enter the body, they
produce a specific disease. In an attempt to correct the imbalance,
antibiotics and other drugs are used to destroy these germs. No
germs, no disease. It was believed that health is restored only if
there are no germs present. Please do not get me wrong. As a
microbiologist, I have great respect for the work of Louis Pasteur.
This giant scientist made more contribution in medical science and
technology than any other men I can think of. I admire Louis
Pasteur because, among other things, he was a Godly man who had
a strong faith in the Omnipotent and Omniscient God. Many books
have been written about Louis Pasteur. The ones by his grandson
(4) and his son-in-law (6) are particularly informative and
delightful to read.
In contrast, the prominent French physiologist, Claude
Bernard (1813-1878) focused on the importance of the body’s
internal environment (7). In contradiction to the doctrine of
Pasteur, he taught that microbes could not produce disease unless
the body’s internal environment was disrupted and became
susceptible to the development of disease. Bernard’s theory was
that the whole person must be sick before any germ can make us
89
ill. This theory is very much in line with the “Triangle of
Infection” concept that I presented in this book.
Throughout this past century, various scientists including
several renowned microbiologists have accepted Bernard’s theory
believing that microbes cause disease only when a disturbance
arises which upsets the equilibrium of the body.
Today, more and more physicians and researchers like
myself believe that microbes are always present. In fact some of
these microbes are absolutely necessary to allow our body to
function properly. As mentioned in previous chapters, some of the
microbes in our body, the so-called Commensals, are a part of our
natural immunity. Microbes are only able to cause disease if the
body is in a weakened state. It is significant to note that Pasteur
actually condemned his own theory on his death bed saying:
“Bernard is right. The microbe is nothing. The environment is all
important” (8).
I have presented the “Triangle of Infection” concept to
more than 6,000 medical doctors while they were in medical
school. How many of these doctors remember and practice this
concept? Unfortunately, no more than 5%. As soon as the young
90
physicians graduated from the medical schools, they are trained
by pharmaceutical representatives. The pharmaceutical
companies promote antibiotics as these provide them with
lucrative incentives. The company representatives teach the
doctors to prescribe antibiotics and other drugs. Most doctors
only remember drugs to kill microbes and have forgotten about
the other two angles. No wonder, we are afraid of flu!
Each year more than 190,000 Americans die of lung
disease and of this number more than 60,000 die of pneumonia as
the complication of flu (9). Unfortunately, most Americans are
unaware of this magnitude of disaster. The public need to know
that 190,000 lives can be saved each year if the method described
in this book is used instead of high-tech and drug approach
currently in use.
Are colds and flu contagious? Of course they are. All
respiratory viruses are contagious. Common cold viruses
(rhinoviruses, coxsackie viruses, and influenza viruses) are all
highly contagious. People with strong immune functions may not
develop any symptoms even though they are exposed to these
viruses. Those of us with lowered resistance (due to having too
many sweets for example) may suffer symptoms of respiratory
91
infections. Some of us may have mild symptoms; others may have
more severe symptoms. Several times each week, patients call my
office telling us that they have terrible and miserable colds.
Should they take antibiotics? Should they go to the emergency
room or should they go to the hospital? My staff will instruct them
to take Cold Remedy and do hydrotherapy. As a “rule”—my
patients recover from their respiratory infections in a matter of
just a few days! I have not lost one single soul from pneumonia in
my more than three decades of medical practice.
If you or one of your loved ones is suffering severe colds
and flu, I strongly suggest you discuss with your doctor to include
hydrotherapy so that you will not have to become a statistics
among the 60,000 deaths each year from complications of viral
infection. If your doctor will not listen, I suggest you learn the
techniques yourself. If you cannot do so, please consult some one
who can to help you.
With diligent, and consistent effort in applying
hydrotherapy, careful selection of eating wholesome foods and
drinking an abundant amount of pure water, plus the judicious use
of herbs; one can not only build a strong immune system, but may
92
also be able to conquer colds and flu as well as many other
respiratory infections.
93
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21. Tashkin, D.P.: Pulmonary Complications of Smoke
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530, 1990.
22. Chao, C.C., Molitor, T.W., Gekker, G., Murtaugh, M.P.,
Peterson, P.K.: Concaine-Mediated Suppresion of
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23. Piccotti, J.R., Brissette-Storkus, C.S., Chambers, W.H.,
Bricker, J.D.: Suppression of Splenic T Lymphocytes
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25. Avila, A.M., Morgan, C.A., Bayer, B.M.: Stress-induced
Suppressionof the Immune System after Withdrawal from
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26. Friedman, H., Newton, C., Klein, T.W.: Microbial
Infections, Immunomodulation and Drugs of Abuse.
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27. Tobin, K.E., Latkin, C.A.: The Relationship between
Depressive Symptoms and Nonfatal Overdose among a
Sample of Drug Users in Baltimore, Maryland. Journal of
Urban Health 80:220-229, 2003.
28. Bauman, J.L., DiDomenico, R.J.: Cocaine-induced
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29. Melamid, I., Kark, J.D., Spirer, Z. Coffee and the Immune
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31. Butrum, R.R., Clifford, C.K., Lanza, E.: NCI Dietary
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32. Sanchez, A., Reeser, J.L., Lau, B.H.S., Yahiku, P.Y.,
Willard, R.E., McMillan, P.J., Cho, S.Y., Maggie, A.R.,
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33. Ader, R., Felton, D.L., Cohen, N.:
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34. Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Glaser, R., Strain, Stout, J.C., Tarr,
K.L., Holliday, J.E., Speicher, C.E.: Modulation of
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35. Cohen, S., Tyrrell, D.A.J., Smith, A.P.: Psychological
Stress and Susceptibility to the Common Cold. New
England Journal of Medicine 325: 606-612, 1990.
36. Palmblad, J., Petrini, B., Wasserman, J., Akerstedt, T.:
Lymphocyte and Granulocyte Reactions During Sleep
Deprivation. Psychosomatic Medicine pp. 273-278, 1979.
37. Schleifer, S.J., Keller, S.E., Camerino, M., Thornton, J.C.,
Stein, M..: Suppression of Lymphocyte Stimulation
Following Bereavement. Journal of American Medical
Association 250:, No. 3:374-382, 1983.
38. Malter, M., Schriver, G., Eilber, U.: Natural Killer Cells,
Vitamins, and Other Blood Components of Vegetarian and
Omnivorous Men. Nutrition and Cancer 12:271-278, 1989.
39. Moffat, A.S.: China: A Living Lab for Epidemiology.
Science 248:553-555, 1990.
40. Hirayama, T.: Mortality in Japanese With Life-Styles
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41. LaPerriere, A.R., Antoni, M.H., Schneiderman, Ironson,
G., Klimas, N., Caralis, P., Fletcher, M.A.: Exercise
Intervention Attenuates Emotional Distress and Natural
Killer Cell Decrements Following Notification of Positive
Serologic Status for HIV-1. Biofeedback and Self-
Regulation 15:229-242, 1990.
42. Espersen, G.T., Elbaek, A., Ernst, E., Toft, E., Kaalund, S.,
Jersild, C., Grunnet, E.: Effect of Physical Exercise on
Cytokines and Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Human
Peripheral Blood. Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica, et
Immunologica Scandinvica 90:395-400, 1990.
43. Tvede, N., Heilman, C., HalkjaerpKristensen, J., Pedersen,
B.K.: Mechanisms of B-lymphocyte Suppression Induced
by Acute Physical Exercise. Journal of Clinical and
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44. White, E.G.: Ministry of Healing. Pacific Press, Mountain
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45. Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Glaser, R., Strain, Williger, D., Stout,
J., Messick G., Sheppard, S., Ricker, D., Romisher, S.C.,
Briner, W., Bonnell, G., Donnerberg. R.: Psychosocial
Enhancement of Immunocompetence in a Geriatric
Population. Health Immunology 30, 169-173, 1989.
46. Kiecolt-Glaser, J.K., Glaser, R., Strain, Stout, J.C., Tarr,
K.L., Holliday, J.E., Speicher, C.E.: Modulation of
Cellular Immunity in Medical Students. Journal of
Behavioral Medicine 9:5-21, 1986.
Chapter 3 — A Mini-review of Basic Immunology
1. Male, D.: Introduction to the Immune System. In
Immunology, 6th edition,Mosby, Times Mirror
International Publishers Ltd. Pp. 1-12, 2001.
2. Rook, G.A.W.: Immunity to Bacteria and Fungi. In
Immunology, 6th edition,Mosby, Times Mirror
International Publishers Ltd. Pp. 245-258, 2001.
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3. Nash, T.: Immunity to Viruses. In Immunology, 6th
edition,Mosby, Times Mirror International Publishers Ltd.
Pp. 235-243, 2001.
4. Lau, B.: Fat Cat Fights the Immune System. In Energized
—1998 Devotional. Review & Herald Publishing
Association, Hagerstown, MD. P. 103, 1998.
5. Lau, B.: Sweet and Weak. In Energized —1998 Devotional.
Review & Herald Publishing Association, Hagerstown,
MD. P. 166, 1998.
6. Swine Flu: Tamiflu, the Danger Drug. April 29, 2009
http://pakalert.wordpress.com
Chapter 4 — An Effective Treatment for Respiratory Infections
1. Lau, B.: The Triangle of Disease. In Garlic and You.
Apple Publishing Co., Canada. Pp. 99-100, 1997.
2. Lau, B.H.S.: Medical Microbiology Syllabus to Medical
Students. Loma Linda University Medical School, Loma
Linda, CA 2002.
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3. White, E.G.: Ministry of Healing. Pacific Press, Mountain View,
CA, 1905.
Chapter 5 — Treatment for Four Clinical Entities
1. White, E.G.: Selected Messages, Book Two. Review and
Herald Publishing Association, Washington DC. Pp.300-
301,1958.
2. Thrash, A., Thrash, C.: Home Remedies. Thrash
Publications, Rt. 1, Box 283, Seale, AL 36875. 1981.
Chapter 6 — The How of Hydrotherapy
1. Bachman, D.D.: The Complete Book of Water Healing.
Instant Improvement, Inc. New York. 1994.
2. Dail, C.W., Thomas, C.S.: Simple Remedies for the Home.
Teach Services, 182 Donivan Road, Brushton, NY, 12916.
1991.
3. Thrash, A., Thrash, C.: Home Remedies. Thrash
Publications, Rt. 1, Box 283, Seale, AL 36875. 1981.
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4. Thomas, C.: Simple Water Treatment for the Home.
University Press, Loma Linda, CA 92354. 1977.
Chapter 7 — Nutrition to Prevent Respiratory Infections
1. Sanchez, A., Reeser, J.L., Lau, B.H.S., Yahiku, P.Y.,
Willard, R.E., McMillan, P.J., Cho, S.Y., Maggie, A.R.,
Register, U.D.: Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic
Phagocytosis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
26:1180-1184, 1973.
2. Griffin, V.B., Griffin, D.J.: Moooove Over Milk. Let’s Eat,
P.O. Box 38, Hot Springs, NC 28743. 1997.
3. Oski, F.A.: Don’t Drink Your Milk. Teach Services,
Donivan Road, Route 1, Box 182, Brushton, NY 12916
1992.
4. Malkmus, G.H.: God’s Way to Ultimate Health. Hallelujah
Acres, Edison, TN, 1995.
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5. Lau, B.H.S., Adetumbi, M.A., Sanchez, A.: Allium
sativum (garlic) and Atherosclerosis: A Review. Nutrition
Research 3:119-128, 1983.
6. Adetumbi, M.A., Lau, B.H.S.: Allium sativum (garlic) - a
Natural Antibiotic. Medical Hypothesis 12:227-237, 1983.
7. Adetumbi, M.A.,Lau, B.H.S.: Inhibition of in vitro
germination and spherulation of Coccidioides immitis by
Allium sativum. Current Microbiology 13:73-76, 1986.
8. Lau, B.H.S., Woolley, J.L., Marsh, C.L., Barker, G.R.,
Koobs, D.H., and Torrey, R.R.: 1986. Superiority of
Intralesional Immunotherapy with Corynebacterium
parvum and Allium sativum in Control of Murine
Transitional Cell Carcinoma. Journal of Urology 136:701-
705.
9. Adetumbi, M.A., Javor, G.T., Lau, B.H.S.: Allium sativum
(garlic) Inhibits Lipid Synthesis by Candida albicans.
Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy 30:499-501,
1986.
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10. Lau, B.H.S., Lam, F., Wang-Cheng, R.: 1987. Effect of
An Odor Modified Garlic Preparation on Blood Lipids.
Nutrition Research 7:139-149.
11. Lau, B.H.S.: Anticoagulant and Lipid Regulating Effects
of Garlic (Allium sativum). In New Protective Roles of
Selected Nutrients in Human Nutrition, Gene A. Spiller
and James Scala, editors, Alan R. Liss, Publishers, P.295-
325, 1989.
12. Lau, B.H.S.: Garlic for Disease Prevention. Journal of
Health and Healing 13:3-6, 1990.
13. Lau, B.H.S., Tadi, P.P.,Tosk, J.M.: Allium sativum (garlic)
and Cancer Prevention. Nutrition Research 10:937-948,
1990.
14. Lau, B.H.S., Yamasaki, T., Gridley, D.S.: Garlic
Compounds Modulate Macrophage and T-lymphocyte
Functions. Molecular Biotherapy 3:103-107, 1991.
15. Lau, B.H.S.: Suppression of LDL Oxidation by Garlic.
Journal of Nutrition. 131:985S-988S, 2001.
109
16. Brinkeborn, R.M., Shah, D.V., Degenring,, F.H.:
Echinaforce and Other Echinacea Fresh Plant Preparations
in the Treatment of the Common Cold. A Randomized,
Placebo- controlled, Double-blind Clinical Trial.
Phytomedicine 6:1-6, 1999.
17. Lindenmuth, G.F., Lindenmuth, E.B.: The Efficacy of
Echinacea Compound Herbal Tea Preparation on the
Severity and Duration of Upper Respiratory and Flu
Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-blind Placebo-
controlled Study. Journal of Complementary Medicine
6:327-334, 2000.
18. Schulten, B., Bulitta, M., Ballering-Bruhl, B., Koster, U.,
Schafer, M.: Efficacy of Echinacea purpurea in Patients
with A Common Cold. A Placebo-controlled, Randomized,
Double-blind Clinical Trial. Arzneimittelforschung 51:563-
568, 2001.
19. Kim, L.S., Waters, R.F., Burkholder, P.M.: Immunological
Activity of Larch arabinogalactan and Echinacea: A
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2002.
20. Melchart, D., Clemm, C., et al.:Polysaccharides Isolated
from Echinacea herba Cell Cultures to Counteract
Undesired Effects of Chemotherapy—A Pilot Study.
Phytotherapy Research 16:138-142, 2002.
21. Lau, B.H.S., Ong, P., Tosk, J.: Macrophage
Chemiluminescence Modulated by Chinese Medicinal
Herbs Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum.
Phytotherapy Research 3:148-153, 1989.
22. Lau, B.H.S., Ong, P.K., Wang, S.J., Wong, D.Y., Tosk,
J.M.: Chinese Medicinal Herbs for Immunodeficiency.
International Clinical Nutrition Review 10:430-434, 1990.
Chapter 8 — Conclusions
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3. Dubos, R.J.: Louis Pasteur—Free Lance of Science. Little
Brown & Company, Boston. Pp. 233-266, 1950.
4. Vallery-Radot, P.: Louis Pasteur—A Great life In Brief.
Alfred A. Knopf Publisher. 1958.
5. Hallock, G.T., Turner, C.E.: Louis Pasteur. Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company, New York. 1948.
6. Vallery-Radot, R.: The Life of Pasteur. Doubleday, Page,
and Company, New York. 1924.
7. Olmstead, J.M.D., Turner, C.E.: Claude Bernard & the
Experimental Method in Medicine. Henry Schuman, New
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113
INDEX
Ａ
abnormalities 9, 12
Acquired Immunity 25, 26, 27, 32
Adaptive Immunity 25, 29
AIDS 7, 10, 13, 19, 20, 95
Alcohol 8, 10, 94, 95, 96
alcoholism 8
allergic reactions 7, 11
allergies 11
anorexia 14
antibiotic treatment 2
Antibody 9
Antigen 26
antioxidants 10
arrhythmias. 13
artificial sweeteners. 79, 82
asthma 11
Astragalus 61, 84, 110
Ｂ
B cell 13, 15, 17, 33
B cells 13, 17, 33
114
B lymphocyte 6, 9, 11, 29, 32
B lymphocytes 6, 9, 29, 32
bacteria 6, 9, 16, 27, 29, 30, 33, 42, 47, 84
bathtub 69
Battle Creek Moist Heat Pack 77
beverages 10, 80
bladder 62
bone marrow 6, 31
brain 10, 13, 62
breast cancer 17
breastbone 5
broad spectrum antibiotic 46
bronchi 42, 43, 53, 58, 77
Ｃ
Caffeine 15, 36
Campylobacter, 47
cancer 6, 7, 8, 11, 15, 18, 19, 29, 33, 48
cancer cells 33, 48
cancers 16
Candida 46, 107
cayenne pepper 61
CD4 7
CD8 7, 11
CDs 7
central nervous system 12, 13
chemical carcinogens 48
chronic fatigue syndrome 15
chronic sinus 11
cilia 30, 42
Claude Bernard 88, 111
clinical entities 43, 53
Cocaine 13, 98, 99
Cocaine toxicity 13
Coffee 15, 99
115
Cold Remedy. 60, 61, 84, 91
colds 3, 8, 16, 36, 43, 49, 51, 53, 67, 79, 83, 85, 90, 91, 92
commensals 30, 41, 50, 87, 89
confusion 14
corn syrup 79
coronary heart disease 8, 10, 19
corticosteroid 17
cosmetics 7
cough syrup 10
Coxsackie 54
coxsackie viruses. 90
cytokine 6, 7, 19
cytotoxic 6, 9, 13
Ｄ
decongestants 57
decongestion. 68
dehydration. 60
depersonalization 14
dermatitis 7
diabete 45, 49
diarrhea. 46, 47
diet 11, 16, 19, 66
dietitian. 15
Dr. John Harvey Kellogg 65
drugs 11, 14, 15, 36, 47, 49, 52, 75, 88, 90
Ｅ
Echinacea 61, 84, 109, 110
Echinaecea 60
elderberry 60
enzyme 6, 29
etiology. 45
eucalyptus oil 58
116
exercise 11, 19, 20, 22, 23, 48, 102
Ｆ
fetus 12
flu . 3, 4, 8, 19, 36, 49, 50, 51, 67, 79, 80, 83, 85, 87, 90, 91, 92, 97
flu virus 50
fomentation 50, 54, 59, 60, 73, 74, 76, 77
fresh fruits 22
fructose 79
Ｇ
garlic 61, 83, 107, 108
gastrointestinal tract 13
genitourinary tract 62
ginger roots 60
Gram-negative bacteria 29
Gram-positive 29
Ｈ
hallucinations 14
hay fever 11
heart 8, 10, 13, 19, 20
heart disease 19
herbal tea 60
horse radish 61
Hydrocollator 75
hydrotherapy 4, 42, 50, 51, 56, 62, 65, 67, 68, 83, 91, 105
hypertension 19
Ｉ
IgE antibodies 11
immune system 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17, 21, 22, 23, 28, 34, 50, 79,
83, 87, 91
immunology 1, 4, 25, 100
infections 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 11, 16, 43, 46, 49, 65, 81, 91
117
inflammation 43
influenza 3, 27, 49, 54, 87, 90
Innate Immunity 25, 27
insomnia 14
interleukins 7
internal congestion 72
intestinal pathogens 47
Ｋ
kidneys 13, 67
Ｌ
Larynx 39
lifestyle 8, 19, 36, 45, 49, 51
liver 7, 10, 67
Lower Respiratory Tract 39, 42
lung cancer 12
lung, 13
lymph nodes 5, 7, 32
lymphocytes 6, 18, 31
lysozyme 30
Ｍ
macrophages. 6, 19, 29, 33, 42
Marijuana 12, 98
marrow 5, 31
measles virus 26, 27
meat diet 19
medication 14
membranes 28
microbes2, 29, 30, 33, 41, 42, 45, 46, 48, 49, 50, 51, 54, 60, 88, 89,
90
microbiology 1, 2
microorganism 27, 41, 46
118
minerals 16
monocytes 6, 29, 33
mucus 30, 50, 51, 67, 77, 83, 84
muscle spasm 73
musculature 13
Ｎ
Nasopharynx 39
Native Immunity 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 42
natural defense 15
natural immunity 27, 51, 89
natural killer cells 6, 9, 18, 29, 33
neutrophils 6, 16, 29, 33
nightmares 14
NK cell 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21
NK cells 11, 13, 17, 18, 19
nonvegetarian 18
nucleic acid 52
nutrition. 18, 45, 49, 79, 80, 82
Ｏ
organ system 2, 5, 13
otitis 43, 53, 57
Ｐ
paranasal sinuses 39
parasites 7, 33
pathogenic bacteria 16
peppermint 60
perspiration 60
phagocytes 6, 9, 11, 13, 17, 20, 33
phagocytic 45
pharyngitis 43, 53
Pharynx 39
phlegm 60
119
Plant-based diet 17
plant-based foods 18
pneumonia 4, 9, 43, 53, 65, 87, 90, 91
poison oak 7
polyphenols 10
Poor Diet 15
predisposing factors 45, 46, 47, 49
prescription 13, 22, 47, 50
prognosis 17
prostate 62
psychological stress. 17
Psychoneuroimmunology. 21
Ｒ
recreational drugs 13
red clover. 60
red wine 10
respiratory disease 4, 8, 12, 36, 79
respiratory infections. 3, 11, 16, 17, 36, 49, 67, 68, 71, 84, 87, 91,
92
respiratory tract 39, 41, 42, 67, 73, 83
Rhinoviruses 54, 90
Ｓ
Salmonella 47
Sambucus 61
Selected Message 58, 105
Shigella 47
side effects. 14, 46, 48
sinusitis 43, 53, 57
Sleep deprivation. 17
sleep disorders 13
spleen 5, 7, 32
stress 8, 13, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 36, 45, 49, 99, 101, 102
120
stress hormone 17
sugar cane 81
Ｔ
T cells 6, 7, 11, 17, 33
T lymphocyte 6, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 29, 31
T lymphocytes 6, 9, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 29, 31
Thermometer 69
Thermophore 76
thymus 5, 31
Tobacco 11, 12, 36, 97
trachea 42, 43
Tracheobronchitis 43
trauma 45, 49
Ｕ
Upper Respiratory Tract 39
uterus 62
Ｖ
vaccine 49, 52
vagina 62
vaginitis 46
vasoconstriction 13
vegetables 10, 18, 19, 22, 79
vegetarian 18, 19
Vibrio 47
viral infection 15, 30, 42, 43, 49, 60, 91
viral infections 15
virus 2, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16, 19, 20, 27, 29, 33, 42, 48, 49, 50,
52, 54, 55, 56, 80, 82, 87, 90
viruses. 2, 6, 7, 9, 13, 16, 19, 26, 29, 33, 42, 48, 49, 50, 52, 54, 55,
56, 60, 80, 82, 87, 90
vitamins 16
121
Ｗ
water treatment 4, 71
whole grains 15, 22, 79
whole legumes 79