I tried Airborne Effervescent Health Formula after work one day when I arrived to find the boss had the temperature up to 92 degrees trying to fend off fever chills. I was off work the next three days and didn’t want to spend them all in bed sick, so I headed to Wal-Mart after work for zinc lozenges, cayenne pepper and ginger root capsules. When I got there, I was confronted by Airborne’s display which informed me that it was all natural and “created by a former second-grade school teacher.” (That’s not important because teachers are all medical geniuses. It’s important because elementary teachers are constantly assaulted by the germs of runny nosed kids during cold and flu season. Anything that keeps a teacher healthy is worth a shot.)
I checked the ingredient label and of the ingredients I was familiar with, I had read accounts of research indicating some value for all of them either directly helping with colds or flu or generally supporting the immune system. So, I bought a tube for $5, went home and started it. I misread the label and took it every three hours for three days and didn’t get sick. (The instructions actually say to take it every three hours up to three times a day. I had no ill effect, but obviously it’s best to follow the label. I did also take the cayenne and ginger and a few of the zinc lozenges. That’s normally way too much zinc and probably not a good idea generally.)
For the rest of the flu season I took the product one or twice a day and three to four times a day when I was actually exposed to sick people. It was the first time in years that I didn’t have a cold or flu and I also escaped my usual late February allergy attack. Selenium, Vitamins A, C and E and Zinc are all reported to have some value in helping with allergies, so that was apparently an unexpected side benefit. For example, on its alternative allergy treatments page About.com says:
Selenium has a targeted role in allergic activity and is important for its help in utilizing vitamin E, another important immune system nutrient.
It’s also quite possible that the positive effects I’ve had are due at least partially to a strong dose of placebo effect. But the ingredients are safe for most people, have all shown promise in supporting the immune system and many of them, like the vitamins, are things we should be getting on a regular basis anyway.
I’ve tried Airborne Original, Lemon-Lime, Pink Grapefruit and Nighttime. The Nighttime version has chamomile and valerian and is drunk hot - it’s definitely a soothing drink that I’d recommend just for comfort and relaxation purposes anytime a cold or flu is coming on, with the vitamins, minerals and herbs as an added bonus.
Technorati Tags: cold, flu, Airborne Effervescent, health, immune support
