Consumer interest in general immune health has yielded shelves of products that boost immune function. Stephen Tomasin, senior buyer/store manager of Gary's World of Wellness, a natural retail store in Eagleville, PA, said he has seen a steady increase of sales of natural immune products during the past five years. “The industry as a whole is growing, so this particular category [of cold and flu products] continues growing as well,” he said. “Products that seem to be experiencing higher sales are black elderberry/Sambucus/Sambucol products, Boiron's Oscillococcinum, oregano, echinacea and echinacea formulas, and well-known, good- quality immune formulas like Nature's Way System Well.”
Maday Labrador, M.S., director of technical resources, Enzymedica, said natural immune products should sell well in the future. He noted, “It is reasonable to conclude that as more people become aware of the overall benefits of alternative choices and how to use natural cold/flu remedies, the demand will continue to rise.”
Natural products focused on immune health have an added advantage over conventional products because, as many in the industry say, conventional products don’t help reduce cold and flu symptoms. “What we’ve come to learn is regular medicine doesn’t have much to offer for the average cold and flu in terms of symptom-reduction or decreasing the severity and frequency of symptoms,” said Keri Marshall, M.S., N.D., medical director of Gaia Herbs.
Tomasin added, “The lack of conventional prescription medication available for immune system and cold- and flu-related illnesses makes consumers more eager to turn to our industry.”
Even Mark A. Moyad, M.D., M.P.H., director of preventive and alternative medicine, University of Michigan Medical Center, recommends using a natural remedy for cold symptoms. “Most cold symptoms just require a natural remedy and do not need a conventional medicine,” he said. “The conventional medicines are not more effective.” He does, however, recommend conventional medicine, such as Tamiflu, for anyone who has the flu.
Tamiflu made headlines recently because it is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a treatment for swine flu, or the H1N1 virus. However, many consumers are seeking ways to bolster their immune health without going to prescription drugs as they face the onset of swine flu. While natural immune product companies are steering clear of claims stating they have the cure for swine flu (or for any flu, for that matter), it doesn’t change the fact that consumers have become more interested in these products because of the media attention on the H1N1 virus.
“Does anyone have a product that can cure swine flu?” asked Marshall, rhetorically. “No, but there are things that can a) help the body to be healthier going into being exposed to swine flu and b) help to do symptom control and decrease the severity and duration of the symptoms.”
Tomasin said many of his store’s customers looked to his staff for advice about the swine flu. “It seemed many customers were seeking our advice just as much, if not more, than from their doctors,” he said. “Obviously people were scared and confused, so we just tried our best to explain the reality of the situation, and guide them to natural products that could potentially give them some comfort and protection.”