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Should We Vaccinate? by Ronald Steriti, ND, Ph.D. The issue of whether or not to vaccinate is a very difficult one. Parents often feel a sense of isolation when they choose to not vaccinate their children because they are doing something opposite to commonly accepted practices. 

This feeling increases when one makes an educated choice, instead of one based upon religious belief. What parents need is reliable information, and support from others who have also made the same decision. Fortunately the internet and your local bookstore have many resources and articles on vaccinations. A quick search yielded the following web sites dedicated to the vaccination issue: 

• The Global Vaccine Awareness League - http://www.gval.com 

• The Australian Vaccination Network - http://www.avn.org.au Books in the vaccination issue include: 

• Vaccination: The Issues of Our Times by Peggy O'Mara (Editor) 

• Vaccination and Immunization: Dangers, Delusions and Alternatives by Leon Chaitow 

• Immunization Theory vs. Reality: Expose on Vaccinations by Neil Z. Miller 

• Vaccines: Are They Really Safe and Effective? A Parent's Guide to Childhood Shots by Neil Z. Miller 

• Vaccinations and Immune Malfunction by Harold E. Buttram and John C. Hoffman 

• A Shot in the Dark: Why the P in the DPT Vaccination May Be Hazardous to Your Child's Health by Harris L. Coulter Barbara L. Fisher With Barbara Lee Fusher 

• The Vaccine Guide: Making an Informed Choice by Randall Neustaedter As you can see, there is a lot of information and support readily available for parents who are making the choice. For those that wish to protect their child without vaccinations, there are several choices. Many naturopathic doctors offer homeopathic mixtures of the vaccines, which can be used. 

In addition, constitutional homeopathy can also be used to strengthen the vital force of your children. In today’s world, protecting your children from the common cold has become an important issue. The flu regularly hits public (and private) schools in the winter months, and some schools are hit so severely that they close for several days while the students recover! Fortunately, there are several wonderful natural therapies for the common cold. 

Of course, the most powerful natural medicine is a mother’s love and kindness. Several herbs can also help: Sambucus nigra is an extract from black elderberries, which is used to make pies. Sumbucus has been shown to have anti-viral properties. Real licorice is also a fairly strong anti-viral herb that is also known to increase strength and stamina. Licorice candy, however, is made from anise, a spice completely unrelated to licorice root. Too much licorice can raise blood pressure, so be careful! Perhaps the strongest natural remedy for the common cold is from the common Larch tree. Larch arabinogalactans is a fiber that dissolves well in water and is almost tasteless, which makes it a perfect choice for finicky children. Larch arabinogalactans is, however, only available to naturopathic medical doctors and holistic physicians. In addition to these herbs, several vitamins and minerals are well known to support the immune system. 

The acronym ACEZ stands for vitamins A, C, E and zinc. Many naturopathic medical doctors recommend a high quality multiple vitamin and mineral formula as a foundation for health. They also recommend against taking vitamins and herbs to prevent the flu – “just in case”. The reason is that many of these supplements stimulate the immune system, and they are best reserved for when they are needed. 

About the Author Ronald Steriti is a graduate of Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, a four-year accredited naturopathic medical school. Dr. Steriti assists people to regain and maintain their health using herbs, homeopathy and clinical nutrition to support their body's natural healing abilities. Dr. Steriti offers natural health consultations by phone and invites you to call (239) 659-2684 to discuss your specific health needs today. For more information, visit http://www.naturdoctor.com