During cold and flu season, it's normal to see commercials
touting the latest cold and flu remedies on TV that claim to stop your
suffering in their tracks. Most of these over the counter remedies treat
the symptoms, but don't lessen the duration of a cold. Also, many of
these medications can make you drowsy or feel drugged.
Home cold
and flu remedies are more popular than ever and are an alternative to
those who don't want to subject themselves to medicines with lots of
mysterious ingredients. While there is no cure for the common cold or
flu, there are several popular home remedies that can help lessen their
duration and effects on your body.
Chicken Soup
Eating a
bowl of savory chicken soup has long been one of the most popular home
cold and flu remedies around. This old fashioned remedy has really stood
the test of time. Chicken soup was prescribed for colds as far back as
ancient Egyptian times. This remedy has probably survived so long
because it does contains protein, which the body needs to get better,
plus, it goes down easy and is warm and comforting. Recent research has
shown that chicken soup does have anti-inflammatory nutrients. So, go
ahead and make yourself a nice, warm bowl of chicken soup.
Vitamin C
Vitamin
C is prized for its immune boosting benefits to the body. When you get a
cold or the flu, the virus tends to attack your healthy blood cells,
which then have fight back - this makes you tired and drains you of
energy. When you drink orange juice or any other citrus juice packed
with vitamin C, you are literally giving your healthy blood cells a
boost of power to repel those nasty cold germs. Many people choose to
take the tablet form of vitamin C. Either way, vitamin C is one of the
most powerful home remedies you can take to fight off a cold.
Echinacea
Echinacea
is a popular herbal remedy that is used to lessen the duration of a
cold. You can find Echinacea in capsule form, in lozenges or as an
alcohol based tincture. While Echinacea does have curative benefits, its
effect in cold fighting often has mixed results. Alcohol based
Echinacea tinctures can last for several years, while the dry leaves
found in many pills and capsules can lose their effectiveness over time.
Also, the quality of the Echinacea varies greatly due to the nature of
the plant. The upper part of the plant contains most of the benefits,
while the lower part has little therapeutic benefit.
Spicy Food
Spicy
foods that contain garlic, onions and cayenne pepper can help you
recover quicker from a cold. These three foods contain powerful
antioxidants and immune system compounds that will aid your body in
expelling the virus. Eating a bowl of chili for lunch or dinner is a
great way to eat your way to feeling better in no time.
Vaporizers and Personal Steamers
Hot
steam rising up through your nasal passages and into your sinuses and
lungs is a great way to clear congestion out of your system. One of the
things that makes having a cold so miserable is that your nose is
clogged and your chest if filled with gunk. Vaporizers and personal
steamers work by adding water to a base and then heating it up until it
becomes steam. You breath in the steam and it clears your system,
allowing you to rest easier.
Steam Bath
Soaking in a nice,
hot bath is relaxing anytime, but when you have a cold the steam rising
up from the tub can have a soothing effect on your tired body. Steam is
great for breaking up the congestion that clogs your sinuses and chest.
To create an aromatherapy experience, add a few drops of peppermint oil
or camphor oil to the hot water. Please do not use this remedy for
babies and toddlers, as it may cause them injury.
Hot Toddy
Hot
toddies are one of the long time favorite cold and flu remedies. Many
people believe that curling up on the couch (or in a favorite chair) and
drinking a hot toddy is a good way to fight off a cold or flu, but in
fact, there is little evidence that this drink has any curative
benefits.
A hot toddy is made with hot water, or tea, lemon juice,
sugar or honey and either rum, brandy, or whiskey. While delicious, the
American Lung Association cautions that drinking alcohol while sick
with a cold will lead to dehydration, which can make a cold last longer.
However, if you can't sleep and don't want to take an over the counter
cold medication, drinking a hot toddy with alcohol will send you into a
nice slumber.
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