Healing Yourself at Home
Home remedies for making it through the common cold.
by Rochelle Riservato
In order to properly address a medical issue, such as The Common
Cold, we must first obtain a proper definition of such to know what we’re
dealing with. Medically defined as a viral infection of the upper respiratory
system, a common cold affects the nose, throat, sinuses, Eustachian tubes,
trachea, larynx, and bronchial tubes. With more than 200 different viruses
known to cause this infirmity, the medical arena states 30 to 50 percent of
these colds are caused by a group known as “rhinoviruses”.
Research dictates almost all common colds clear up in less than
two weeks, with an average of ten days, without causing any complications. Given time a relatively
healthy body will produce antibodies to cure itself of a cold. With cold-season commencing in early autumn and extending
through early spring certain circumstances may lead to common cold
susceptibility. Catching the common cold can range from being near a sick person
who coughs, sneezes or speaks—all expelling tiny fluid droplets containing the
virus that is then breathed-in—to touching an infected person or inanimate
object that has become contaminated with the virus. So it’s wise to avoid
being close to people during the first 2 to 4 days after they show cold
symptoms.
With the common cold giving rise to a multi-million dollar industry
for over-the-counter (OTC) medications and a leading cause of work and school
time loss, most colds can be treated with simple natural remedies that you can
do at home or are in your home already.
Symptoms
Initially there’s throat tickle, runny nose, and sneezing. The
nasal discharge starts as clear and thin and later changes to a thick yellow or
greenish discharge. The common cold also brings along head and muscle aches,
chills, a sore throat, nasal congestion, hoarseness, watery eyes, appetite loss
and general tiredness. And if there’s a cough, it’s usually intermittent and
dry.
So to make those first four to five days, of the usual ten day
total stretch, there are many natural remedies for you to try before running
off for an antibiotic. Remember antibiotics do
not treat viruses—they are only for bacterial infections.
Natural
Remedies
• Drink
plenty of fluids, preferably hot, but avoid acidic juices, which may irritate
the throat.
• Lots of
rest.
• Use saline nasal spray containing purified water and sodium
chloride to flush out mucus and bacteria.
• Gargle
with any of the following: One teaspoon salt to 8 oz. warm water; warm water
with turmeric powder or astringents such as alum, sumac, sage and bayberry;
Warm tea that contains tannins with sage leaves;
Licorice tea; a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar; or a cooled-down
steeped mix of raspberry leaves or lemon juice with one teaspoon honey and two
cups hot water. Remember children under one year of age should not be given
honey.
• A
cool-mist room humidifier to ease congestion and sore throat.
• Vaseline
or other lubricant under the nose prevents irritation from frequent nose
blowing.
• Inhaling
a steaming mixture of lemon oil, thyme oil, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil.
• Taking
doses of natural coneflower, goldenseal, yarrow, eyebright, garlic, or onion
available at health food stores.
• Natural
herb loquat syrup for cough and sinus congestion and Chinese ephedra for runny
nose.
• Zinc or
black current lozenges every two hours.
• High
doses of Vitamin C or drink Elderberry juice.
• Eliminate
dairy products to cut down possible mucus production.
• Eat antioxidant-rich, nutrient-dense foods including whole fruits,
vegetable, grains and omega-3 rich foods—and don’t forget chicken soup, the
most requested food of cold sufferers.
• Blow
nose often and correctly; with one finger pressed over one nostril while gently
clearing the other. Alternate.
• Take steamy
showers.
• Place
hot or cold packs around congested sinuses.
• Don’t
smoke.
• Meditate
to reduce stress.
• Moderate
exercise if feeling up to it.
• Sleep
with an extra pillow to help drain nasal passages.
• Sage
extract for mucus removal, cough calming, and as an expectorant.
Note: Be mindful. If one experiences any symptoms other than the
ones listed above, please consult a physician. The common cold can produce
secondary bacterial infections of the upper respiratory system in people with a
weakened immune system, chronic lung disease, asthma or diabetes. A common cold
in those subject to any of the above conditions are more prone to secondary
bacterial infections leading to middle ear infections, bronchitis, pneumonia,
sinus infection, or strep throat.
Posted by Chris Hewitt
on 3:07 PM.
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