Exposure to cold germs is inevitable and most people get at least one or two colds per year. My husband and I recently felt the symptoms of the common cold coming on – scratchy throat, sneezing, slight headache, runny nose – and we stopped it dead in its tracks! Besides following a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables to maintain a strong immune system, the key is to attack it with natural remedies the minute you feel those initial symptoms. The first thing I do is take Coldcalm, a homeopathic medicine you can buy at CVS. Follow the directions exactly. I also take extra Vitamin C (from supplements and Vitamin C rich foods) and Echinacea to boost my immune system. American Indians chewed Echinacea root for centuries to treat colds and flu. I drink several cups of hot water with a couple of tablespoons of fresh ginger (or powdered), cinnamon, lemon, and honey, which helps wash the virus right out. Ginger contains nearly a dozen anti-viral compounds and has several chemicals that are particularly effective against common cold viruses. The lemon is rich in Vitamin C and the cinnamon and honey add healthy flavor. Adequate rest is important too.
Sometimes however, your body just succumbs to a cold and the symptoms worsen. To the above remedies, add the tried and true cure of chicken soup with lots of garlic and onion, which contain several helpful anti-viral compounds including allicin, a potent, broad-spectrum natural antibiotic. If you don’t mind the taste and smell of garlic, a soup made only with garlic, broth and parsley is especially effective in lessening the duration of a cold. Elderberry contains compounds that are active against flu viruses and offers relief from fever and muscle aches. You can find elderberry syrup in the wellness section at Whole Foods and natural food stores. Slippery elm is a safe and effective throat soother and cough suppressant. It has actually been used for over 150 years and the FDA has now declared it to be effective in fighting throat and respiratory symptoms related to colds. I also take Coldeze, a zinc product sold at CVS, which seems to shorten the length of a cold.
The above remedies are only suggestions that have worked for my family and me. If you take medication and/or have severe or persistent symptoms, always consult a doctor.
One of my readers sent me some information about Shaklee’s Defend & Resist Product. It contains Echinacea, Elderberry Extract and Elderberry juice concentrate, Zinc and Larch Tree and works best if you start it just when you feel that first tickle and continue for 7 days. You can chew it, dissolve and sip like a tea, or swallow. Sounds like an effective cold fighter to me!
Some information compiled from The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D.
Posted by Nancy Yardley on January 23, 2013 at 7:50 pm
Good advice!!!
Sent from my iPad
Posted by betsywild on January 23, 2013 at 7:58 pm
Thanks…..
Posted by P. C. Zick on January 24, 2013 at 12:47 pm
Thanks for post. I’m going to print out. Coriander is also a great healer. You can put a teaspoon in a glass of water (my daughter healed a boil in two days doing this). I just use it generously when I’m cooking.
Posted by betsywild on January 24, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Good to know – thanks for the suggestion!
Posted by Kristina (The Greening Of Westford) on January 24, 2013 at 7:40 pm
I really like that these tips are relatively easy to follow with ingredients that are accessible. Where can you get slippery elm and what does it look like? How do you take it?
Posted by betsywild on January 24, 2013 at 7:50 pm
I’m glad you like the tips. They are easy to do, and effective! Whole Foods carries slippery elm and it is usually in a lozenge form for sore throats. During cold season, I’ve seen it by the cash registers.
Good luck and thanks for commenting!
Betsy
Posted by spicejac on January 25, 2013 at 4:29 am
I’m into a full on summer head cold, and will follow this advice next time my throat starts to get scratchy! Thank you!!!
Posted by betsywild on January 25, 2013 at 12:49 pm
What a shame! Still drink lots of hot tea!!!
Thanks for commenting….
Posted by spicejac on January 27, 2013 at 3:19 am
Am drinking a lot of tea, and some miso soup too – and that’s helping…..
Posted by betsywild on January 27, 2013 at 1:40 pm
Miso soup is wonderful! feel better…….
Posted by patinaandcompany on February 5, 2013 at 7:29 pm
It works!
Posted by betsywild on February 5, 2013 at 10:05 pm
I’m so glad! Thanks for letting me know.
Bets
Posted by Five Helpful Tips for Fighting the Common Cold | Enlightened Lotus Wellness on March 13, 2013 at 1:04 pm
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