Quick, help! Sore throat/runny nose emergency! I need your ideas for how to kick this cold out of Dodge, like NOW.I wouldn't be so alarmed about a winter sniffle, except that I am scheduled to visit my newborn nephew this weekend, and I'd hate for his first memory of his aunt to be a) the weirdo who gave me a virtual hug from across the room or b) that lady who smells like Purell.
My "nip it in the bud" cold strategies are all of the liquid variety: it's all about tea. I busted out my biggest mug, and I'm self-medicating through the healing power of tea.
Round one was a lemongrass green tea with a big blob of honey stirred in (honey is not only an anti-inflammatory, but it is also supposed to boost your immune response).
Round two, which I'm currently sipping, is an orange spice white tea with a hunk of crystallized ginger submerged inside. Ginger is best known for its properties as a digestive aid, but it is also a decongestant and lends a nice zing to the tea.
Round three will most likely be good old fashioned lemon water. Between the immune-boosting vitamin C and the anti-viral power of this amazingly healing fruit, I should be good to go.
How do you kick a cold before it takes hold? Please (please!) share.
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I get out my copy of Never Have Another Cold. It works every time. The key to my cold is based on my emotions. One of 11 keys in that little book applies to everyone. Save money spent on teas & potions. Just read that little book.
Cold and flu germs incubate and breed in your throat cuz it's nice and warm and moist in there so at the first sign of sickness gargle with salt water to kill the little buggers. works every time!
There's an ancient yogic cleansing technique, called Jala neti,that involves nasal irrigation using a neti pot, a ceramic container resembling a tea pot.
You can do it yourself easily, without the neti pot. All you really need is water, salt, and baking soda (some folks just go with the water and salt)and the ability to tolerate pouring, or inhaling, water into your sinuses. About.com's Alternative Medicine section has easy to follow directions.
People have continued to use this technique for centuries because it works.
I was fighting a cold with honey, lemon and cinnomon for a while and finally I had to go to the Doctor and get antibiotics. My head hurt so bad it felt like it was going to explode. In my case I lost the natural cure battle.
I think the 1st key is determine what type of cold you have and where it is embedded in your body. After MANY bouts with flus, sinus infections, allergies, etc.)...YES your attitude does determine your recovery. However, LOTS of rest, garlic in your foods, lemon water (hot), hot fluids (soups & teas), apple-cider vinegar & water (for inflamed and painful throat), PLENTY of anti-oxidant possessive fruits and teas (with honey, fresh lemon, lime and/or orange slices) AND at night if don't mind consuming alcohol, a nice "hot toddy" containing heated orange juice with brandy, whiskey or rum will help you sleep and sweat the illness out! P.S. - Adding Hall's to your hot beverages helps greatly!
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