Eating right, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly can help keep your health and immunity boosted throughout the entire year, but when it is cold and flu season we need a little more help. If you feel a cold coming on or a little woozy from the beginning symptoms of the flu, take these simple home remedies. They can help shorten the duration and intensity of colds and flu.
Natural Remedies For Common Cold
Garlic keeps vampire away and also stops a cold. It has natural antifungal and antibacterial properties. Don”t eat cooked garlic; it loses its potency when cooked. Use garlic raw when you are sick. Very finely mince garlic (one to two cloves), mix in a very small amount of water and gulp as fast as you can. Sit down for a moment and take a deep breath.
Coconut oil has high levels of lauric acide that is converted in antimicrobial properties in the body. Coconut oil boosts the immune systems and stave off illness. You can use coconut oil with food, melted into tea or just eat out of the jar if you are brave.
Fermented cod liver oil is perfect for reducing inflammations. The high levels of omega-3s plus vitamins A and D boost your immune health. You need to double the recommended daily dose of cod liver oil or omega-3s when you are starting to feel those nasty little cold symptoms.
Apple cider vinegar added to a glass of water alkalinizes the body. Just add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice to a glass of water to create an alkaline environment in your body that kills bacteria and viruses. At the first sign of illness drink the mixture and repeat several times during the day until the cold and flu symptoms subside.
Nasal washes are perfect when you have sinus congestion. When excess mucous is not draining this leads to bacteria buildup, stuffiness and swelling. Rinsing nasal passage with filtered water clears out excess phlegm and bacteria. This helps your nasal mucosa to fight infections and allergies. Use a neti pot found in most pharmacies to make nasal washing easier.
Liquid chlorophyll is very alkalinizing and makes it hard for viruses to survive. It is also a blood purifier high in nutrients. Add a teaspoon to your regular drinking water and drink throughout the day. You can find liquid chlorophyll in your grocery store or pharmacy.
Elderberry syrup or sambucus has been used in natural cold cures for hundreds of years. It helps prevent and treat the symptoms of flus and colds. Elderberries are rich in anti-inflammatory anthocyanin and flavonoids to help combat illnesses. Do avoid choosing any type of elderberry syrup that contains preservatives, flavorings or high fructose corn syrup.
Homemade warm liquids like broth, lemon water and herbal teas help boost the immune system. Warm liquids are also highly soothing when you are sick. Ginger teas are good for sinus trouble and congestion. Chamomile reduces inflammation and calms your nerves and homemade cinnamon tea reduces coughing and congestion. Make cinnamon tea with one tablespoon of cinnamon to one teaspoon of honey in a cup of warm water.
Additional natural remedies:
- Zinc is available in over the counter lozenges and nasal sprays. Zinc helps by preventing the formation of proteins that a cold virus needs to survive.
- Vitamin C has long been a remedy used to stop the cold. Vitamin C affects resistance to viruses in animal studies. You do need to take vitamin C or eat and drink vitamin C bearing fruits and vegetables on a daily basis to help keep your immune system on a high level.
- Echinacea is an herb supplement. It is an immune booster with antiviral properties and might prevent a cold. Researchers have concluded that Echinacea decreases the odds of developing a cold by 55% and does reduce a cold”s duration. Do not rely on Echinacea as your only cold remedy, however.
- Chicken soup just feels good when you are sick. Chicken soup may ease your symptoms of upper respiratory infections, but it really does not do anything for cold symptoms. Someone bringing your chicken soup, however, can help you feel much better.
Cold and Flu Prevention
The best way to prevent catching a cold is hand washing. Pay attention to where you put your hands. Schedule your hand washing around your activities. Cold viruses linger on surfaces longer than first suspected and washing your hands helps get rid of those viruses.
Eat well and take your vitamins on a daily basis. Exercise, bundle up in cold weather and stay away from crowds during the cold and flu season. You can”t cure the cold, but you can minimize its” â„¢ symptoms by being practical and maintaining good health practices.
