Renowned pediatrician Dr. Bob Sears has had excellent results with his patients using Bionorica's Sinupret.

Bob Sears, MD

Robert W. Sears, MD, is best known as the co-author of the Sears Parenting Library Series. A father of three and board-certified in Pediatrics, "Dr. Bob", as he likes to be called by his little patients, earned his medical degree at Georgetown University School of Medicine in 1995. He did his pediatric internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, finishing in 1998.

Dr. Sears enjoys a very unique approach to pediatrics by providing a combination of alternative and traditional medical care. He has a passion for healthy natural living and searches out scientifically-based natural treatments especially for children.

By limiting antibiotic use, using science-based natural treatment whenever possible, and focusing on good nutrition and immune system health, Dr. Bob takes preventative medicine to a whole new level. He is the author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child, and has appeared on Dr. Phil, the Ellen DeGeneris show, CNN's House Calls with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the CBS Early Show, and PBS A Place of Our Own. Dr. Sears is a frequent speaker at La Leche League conferences and Parenting Health Expos. He has written for Contemporary Pediatrics, Newsweek Japan and Working Mother magazine. He is also the co-author of The Updated Baby Book, The Premature Baby Book, The Baby Sleep Book 2005 and Father's First Steps: 25 Things Every New Dad Should Know as well as an active contributor to the content of AskDrSears.com and several other parenting websites.

Dr. Sears was recently interviewed on ABC:

It's tough for moms with little ones. There has been so much discussion about medicines that were taken off the counters. Many [moms] ask, “What do I do when my child gets sniffles and coughs?”

Sears: I know that parents don't have as many options now as they used to because the FDA realized that there has been too many cases of overdoses of infant and child cough and cold medications. Parents weren't using the medications properly, they were overlapping too many medications and there have been some fatal overdoses. So the FDA decided to step back to do more research. They realized we haven't done a lot of research with cold and cough meds and kids and infants. We don't know if they're safe or if they are effective and so they have taken a step back, they are going to re-evaluate the use of those meds and so parents don't have as many options now when it comes to resolving their kids symptoms.

As parents, it's tough, They're miserable, they're grumpy, they're up at night…there are so many people whose kids have coughs for two-three weeks…

Sears: A typical cold will go on for two, three weeks, sometimes even four weeks. And sometimes they'll turn into sinus infections and parents get more and more worried. The basic thing is parents just want their infants and their children to get some rest. The more rest you get, the faster you can heal. Now parents are looking for more natural alternatives, now that they can't use medications anymore for infants or children, they are looking for natural alternatives.

How do you discern between the natural products that are effective and old wives tales that are just a waste of everybody's time?

Sears: While drugs that treat sinusitis are off the market for kids, you can look to dietary supplements that provide respiratory support for healthy nasal passages.  Of the products that I have examined, I prefer Sinupret.  It is made by a German company and has a long track record around the world for its safety and effectiveness.  While not a drug for sinusitis, it is a natural aid for sinus health.

What relief does it offer?

Sears: Well, it's an effective support of healthy respiratory functions. It actually helps boost your immune system. It's really the only natural product that has clinical research behind it, safety research, efficacy research, and I think it works fantastically. I think that's what parents are looking for. They are looking for a natural approach for their kids instead of just turning to medications all the time.

Naturopathic
physician Marcus Laux is hoping for a new class of natural solutions whose efficacy and safety have been substantiated in clinical tests

Marcus Laux, ND

A naturopathic physician who earned his doctorate from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Dr. Marcus Laux has been clinically trained in acupuncture and homeopathy in addition to his training as a physician. After 15 years in private practice, Dr. Laux left his office to begin a worldwide search for natural medicines. After trekking the South and Central American jungles, Siberian steppes and Mediterranean laboratories, he found Bionorica, makers of natural medicines in Europe.

Dr. Laux has been seen on CNN, BBC, and Fox channels in an advisory capacity. He has served as chairman of several scientific advisory boards and is the co-author of Natural Woman, Natural Menopause (Harper Collins) and Top Ten Natural Therapies (Basic Health Publications).

Dr. Laux was interviewed about phyto-pharmaceuticals in the United States:

Why aren’t well researched, scientifically founded herbal products so widely used in the U.S.?

Laux: Considering today’s insurance reimbursement policies, myopic doctors and endless media advertising, it isn’t surprising. Synthetic drugs are promoted as the universal curealls for everything from colds and coughs to cancer. But many people actually do desire a natural, more reliable and safer medicine.

So why aren’t more patients using them?

Laux: Because many people have lost confidence. When clinically proven natural products started to gain in popularity, generic versions followed quickly. Most people did not know the difference so they brought the cheaper labels. When these generics did not deliver the advertised results and quality issues started to be widely reported, people became disillusioned.

Isn’t it the responsibility of physicians to educate patients?

Laux: Most U.S. physicians are frankly just plain ignorant when it comes to phytopharmaceuticals.

That doesn’t sound very reassuring for Bionorica.

Laux: There are some advanced doctors who do understand their value. Younger physicians and pharmacists, in particular, are more willing to learn, compare and improve medicine through integration. These professionals are less prejudiced and ready to try new approaches to find out what works best for their patients.

What role do you think Bionorica could play in the U.S. market in the near future?

Laux: Bionorica excels and surpasses all U.S.-based companies with regard to its scientifically researched herbal products. By their very nature and design, Bionorica’s products are a unique category. Therefore I believe the entering of Bionorica into the U.S. market could stimulate a thrust to develop a whole new class of effective, safe and proven natural supplements through phytoengineering. This is my dream as well.