Field to Table - Fighting Colds Naturally

"The greatest wealth is health." Virgil, 70BC-19BC, Poet

Let's first determine if you have the cold or flu. The flu strikes suddenly and affects the whole body. One minute you're happy at work, the next you're too sick to do anything. Flu can last for up to seven days and generally leaves you feeling exhausted for weeks afterwards.

The common cold is caused by any one of 200 different viruses. When infection occurs, the walls of the respiratory tract swell and produce excess mucus, giving rise to the typical cold symptoms. Symptoms range from sore throat, running nose, nasal congestion, watery eyes to hacking cough, headache, and fever. Most colds run their course in 7-10 days. Recurrent colds (almost constantly suffering) may indicate a lowered immune capacity and too much stress and often not enough sleep.

Antibiotics are no use in the treatment of flu and colds because both are caused by a virus. Specific antiviral treatments for flu are available, but generally these are only given to those at high risk of flu complications. The over use of antibiotics increase fatal drug-resistant infections. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the US estimates that about one-third of the 150 million outpatient prescriptions for antibiotics every year are unnecessary.

Natural Medicines vs Over-the-Counter (OTC) Remedies

OTC remedies can relieve cold and flu symptoms, but at a high price: chemicals introduced to the body which can cause some nasty side-effects.

When taken properly, herbs are easier on the body than highly concentrated OTC drugs and are often less expensive. Natural remedies relieve symptoms and build immunity safely. They are a gentle, natural way to conquer a cold and help your body get healthier while relieving symptoms, so it's better able to protect and heal itself.

Herbal remedies also help to stop biopiracy - large biotech firms smuggling plants out of developing countries and patenting their healing properties in developed countries in order to keep the profits. There are plenty of environmentally and socially responsible herb companies out there. Do your research - your body will be grateful.

Fighting Colds Naturally

The time to treat a cold is when you don't have it! Prevention is always better than any cure. First rule - wash your hands. A quick pass under water is not washing your hands. Apply soap to your wet hands and scrub for 10-15 seconds - about the same time it takes to sing one chorus of Happy Birthday. If soap and water aren't available, try an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

Colds spread from person to person and are highly contagious. Coughing, sneezing or hand to hand contact will easily pass the virus on. The infectious spray you release when you sneeze uncovered can travel up to five yards and the virus can live for several hours on everyday surfaces - so cover that sneeze.

When you have a cold or flu your body is under a lot of stress, fighting the viral infection. Big, heavy meals take vital energy to digest, resources which your body could be using to fight the infections.The best thing to do is drink plenty of liquids - water, fruit juices and soups. Stay away from heavy and high processed food. High liquid intake is important as the body uses water to carry waste products and toxins to your elimination systems.

Cold Fighting Herbs, Spices & Fruit

Echinacea is native to the North America Plains and has been used by indigenous natives for hundreds of years. Varieties of the species are now found on most continents.

Echinacea increases levels of properdin, a chemical which activates the part of the immune system responsible for increasing defence mechanisms against virus and bacteria attacks. Its anti-bacterial effect makes it a good herb for treating many viral and bacterial infections.

Echinacea is also an excellent blood cleanser. It helps to sweep dead cells and other debris through the channels of the lymphatic system and dispatches white blood cells to fight the infection.

The best test to determine if you are taking a good, high strength echinacea is the tongue test. After you have taken the tincture, the back of your tongue should feel numb or tingly. This feeling will soon pass, but you know you are using a good quality product. It is important to take echinacea before the full onset of a cold or flu to give the best chance of a swift recovery.

Garlic. No treatment of colds would be complete without Garlic. Garlic is an excellent boost to the immune system. Its anti-bacterial properties help the immune system to fight infection. Garlic contains several helpful compounds, including allicin, one of the plant kingdom's most potent antibiotics. Garlic combines well with echinacea and together make a strong fighting force against infections.

Onion is a close relative of garlic and has similar properties and antiviral chemicals. Use onions and leeks in your cooking when you have a cold or are around people who do.

Ginger is another of natures' antiviral herbs. It contains nearly a dozen antiviral compounds. Ginger is pain relieving, antiseptic and antioxidant. It is valuable for preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes. Ginger reduces pain and fever and has a mild sedative effect that will encourage rest. Drink a tea, or soak fresh ginger in hot water. You can also take it as a tincture and include it in your food. Ginger is also delicious in a fruit smoothy.

Vitamin C is very good for the relief of cold symptoms and to help the body fight infection. The best source of vitamins is always fresh fruit and vegetables. Citrus fruit is especially high in vitamin C. Combine orange, pineapple, seedless grapes, lots of fresh ginger, banana, pink grapefruit, cantaloupe in a blender. Add orange juice if more liquid is needed. And don't forget to add some ginger.

Goldenseal is both antiseptic and immune stimulating, increasing blood supply to the spleen. The spleen is the body's staging area for the fighting cells in your immune system. Berberine is present in goldenseal and activates macrophages (special white blood cells), which are responsible for destruction of bacteria, fungi, viruses and tumour cells.

Liquorice has been used to soothe chest and throat complaints since the third century BC. It is used in the treatment of asthma, bronchitis, throat problems, colds and coughs. Liquorice contains anti-viral compounds that induce the release of interferon, the bodies own anti-viral constituents. It is an expectorant and anti-inflammatory making it excellent for stubborn coughs and lung infections. As well as being a soothing herb, liquorice tastes nice! Large doses can act as a laxative.

Sage is a traditional remedy for soothing sore throats as it has antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties. For an inflamed throat and hoarseness use a hot sage infusion or gargle with a sage, apple cider vinegar and honey mix. In feverish conditions, sage is very cooling. Take as a tea or tincture.

Peppermint is a valuable expectorant in the treatment of bronchitis, colds and flu. It reduces fevers by inducing sweating and cooling the body. It is also a painkiller for headaches and some migraines. It is a soothing decongestant and makes an effective inhalation for clearing blocked sinuses.

Lemon Balm tea promotes sweating. This is good for feverish colds as it helps to eliminate the toxins from the body.

Blackberry: More commonly know as Bramble, this fruit is rich in vitamin C. The leaves can be used to make a cleansing tea, or make a poultice from fresh, lightly boiled leaves.

Borage is a versatile herb. It promotes sweating and has expectorant properties, both of which are beneficial for feverish, chesty colds.

Catnip or Catmint, promotes perspiration and a hot infusion is good for feverish colds and flu's. Catnip is also a muscle relaxant and mild sedative so will help to induce sleep.

Cinnamon will stop vomiting and relieve feelings of nausea. Take as a tea. Cinnamon oil also had anti-bacterial properties.

Fenugreek has expectorant qualities. It is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and soothing. It can ease coughs and sore throats.

Juniper - Steam inhalations of Juniper is beneficial for relieving congestion in coughs and colds. Add a few drops of the oil to hot boiled water, place your face over the bowl, cover with a towel and inhale the steam.

Lemons are a rich source of vitamin c, and taken hot in a hot lemon and honey drink, is a traditional remedy for colds and sore throats.

Yarrow has anti-inflammatory properties. Hot yarrow tea will promote sweating. Many herbalists consider yarrow to be one of the principle herbal remedies for fever, feverish colds and flu. It is often taken in combination with elderflower and peppermint. Try adding a strong infusion of yarrow and camomile to a warm bath.

 

 

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