Natural Remedies: Colds

I am sorry this was late!  My life has been crazy so I did not get this posted on Wednesday -- sorry for the delay!

COLDS 

Photo Courtesy

Symptoms

§  Sore throat & swollen tonsils

§  Stuffed or runny nose

§  Coughing or sneezing

§  Watery eyes

§  Fever & headache

Home Remedies

§  STEAM: Inhale steam to release congestion and relieve a dripping nose.  This can be done through boiling water or with a humidifier in the house.

§  BLOW: Blow your nose often!  This is your body’s way of getting rid of infection!

§  GARGLE: Gargle with warm salt water or with apple cider vinegar.  This will moisten a sore or scratchy throat, bring temporary relief, and help kill those bad germs.

§  SHOWERS: Take lots of showers.  This will assist your body by keeping you clean, warm, and enveloping yourself with steam.

§  HOT PACKS: Apply hot packs around your congested sinuses.  These hot packs are better if moist/wet.

§  SLEEP: Sleep with an extra pillow on your head.  This will allow for drainage of the sinuses, allowing you to heal faster.

§  GARLIC: Consume as much garlic as possible – be it mixed with drinks, soups, or eating raw garlic.

§  HERBAL REMEDIES: Don’t forget to take your Vitamin C, Echinacea, and Zinc!

§  HONEY: Consume a tablespoon of honey at various times throughout the day in order to provide relief for sore or scratchy throats.  Honey also contains a high amount of antioxidants helping you fight the infection.  Honey can also be mixed with lemon juice or teas for a more tasty concoction.

§  GINGER TEA: Ginger tea (often mixed with honey) is known as a highly effective combatant against viruses.

§  VICK’S VAPOR RUB: Rub Vick’s Vapor Rub on the feet, back, and chest in order to help relieve congestion.

Photo Courtesy

Diet

§  ORANGES & APPLES: Give energy and increases body resistance to infection.

§  GREEN LEAFY VEGETABLES: will regulate digestion and help remove toxins.

§  BROTHS: Broths are a very effective way of gaining nutrition, as well as staying hydrated.  These warmed broths will also sooth sore throats.

§  DRINK at all times.  Be sure to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses per day.  It is beneficial to drink lots of hot liquids, although the cold liquids will help keep you hydrated just as much. 

§  AVOID: ALL oily and spicy food, along with all sweets/sugar/caffeine and ALL dairy.

Other

§  REST as much as possible.

§  WARMTH: keep your body warm, as this will help keep your energy up (instead of your body having to fight to keep you warm!).

§  MEDICATION: Medicines are appropriate to use to bring relief if all natural remedies seem to be ineffective.  Just be careful to follow allow appropriate directions.

PLEASE NOTE: These are only natural home remedies that no professional has reviewed or written.  This is not to take the place of professional medical advice, it is merely to aid you at home.  If you are concerned, it is best to call your doctor and follow instructions given by him/her.

Photo Courtesy