The aptly named common cold hits nearly every one of us on a regular basis and once a single family member has it, it can spread quickly and viciously. While the cold itself is relatively harmless it still presents almost crippling symptoms. The common misconception is that you can fight a cold, essentially getting on with your life and trying to ignore the problem. This is much more likely to prolong the agony as a pose to beating it. In preference to turning to the pharmacist there are natural ways to reduce the recovery time and relieve the nagging symptoms of a cold.
Rest
The misconception that exercise will help to sweat out a cold is misleading. The body needs to be able to fight the cold infection and by exercising or being excessively active you are reducing its capability to do this. Resting allows the body to fully combat the cold virus. The immune system and various immune functions within the body are strengthened or generated during sleep. It is these that will help your body beat the cold.
Water
When suffering from a cold the body is susceptible to becoming dehydrated. In order to prevent this it is absolutely essential that sufferers drink plenty of water. The recommended eight glasses of water a day is the absolute minimum that you should be aiming to drink when suffering from a cold. For this reason, water can help to further strengthen the immune system and subsequently beat the infection.
Vitamin C
It may sound something your mom or your grandmother would try to convince you but it is widely believed to be true. However, too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea and possible even kidney stones. Many proponents of vitamin C as a cold remedy would argue that 1,000mg every hour is not damaging and will help to reduce the time a person suffers from a cold. However, it has been medically proven that 250mg has the same positive effects as any larger dose with fewer and less severe side effects. The best way to obtain this level of vitamin C is through fruit juices because this also provides a good source of extra fluid.
Garlic
Garlic is another age old herbal remedy for colds. It helps to strengthen the immune system and is also a good antiviral. Putting garlic in meals will help to prevent colds and can also reduce the suffering time of patients. The best way to consume the garlic is freshly ground and raw. Many people would find this a struggle, especially because a lot of people eat as many as three or four cloves as soon as they show symptoms of a cold.
Elderberry Extracts
Elderberries may look harmless but to the cold virus they are far from it. It is a powerful antiviral as well as being a highly effective prophylactic. As an antiviral it can help to stave off the actual infection causing the cold, and its prophylactic properties strengthens and rejuvenates the immune system. Elderberry and blueberries are among the best varieties of fruit a cold sufferer can eat for these very reasons.
The Immune System's Role
You will have probably noticed that almost all of these remedies are strongly based around the strengthening of the immune system. This is because there is essentially no cure for the common cold and we are forced to rely on our bodies to fend off the infection. In order to do this, the immune system needs to be as strong as possible and the stronger it is the less suffering will be required.
Written by: Jacob Mabille
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thanks for this post. i do get colds often and vitamin C alone does not help
ReplyDeleteNice post. You are definitely right in that there are a number of different ways to beat the common cold. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't know how far it is true but I have read somewhere that few seconds (less than 30 sec) of cold water after hot water shower will decrease the body's reaction to cold. Shorter cold shower could even protect us from flu.
ReplyDeleteThose are great tips to combat colds! Moreover, we should really protect ourselves on colds by drinking more water and eat more fruits, containing vitamin c.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading something long ago about people who study the common cold: People who study the common cold practically never get the cold because of one thing - they wash their hands SEVERAL times a day. They don't put their fingers in their mouth or nose, and they don't rub their eyes.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to think of vitamin C as a low grade shield, and not retalitory attack. Use it as a dfense, not an offense - in other words, don't rely on vitamin C to beat a cold back, take a natural amount to thwart the cold from ever hitting you in the first place.
-Tourq
I am affected by cold rightnow. Here after I will follow your advice.
ReplyDeleteI have one as well, thanks for your cure!
ReplyDeleteIt is good to get cold once in a while as it remove the toxsic unwanted products from the body. I am sure that many people will surely like it. Great knowledge sharing post.
ReplyDeleteGetting a flu shot seems to have helped me to avoid colds as well. Over the past several years, I've only had 2 colds versus the 2 per year I used to get.
ReplyDeleteI am affected by cold rightnow. after reading your post I will follow your advice.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to get cold erst in a while as it remove the toxsic unwanted products from the body. I am sure that many people will surely like it. Great knowledge sharing post.
ReplyDeleteGreat list. Vitamin C is always a good choice. It is definitely something you want to add to your diet when you're feeling down. I would also add Vitamin D to the list. It'll help boost your immune system, as well as keep you feeling great.
ReplyDeleteGreat article ! Eat more food that contain vitamin C will help you to prevent cold .
ReplyDeleteWhen I get a cold- I juice lots of veggies with enough garlic to get rid of the cold in a couple of days. I also get rid of friends for the same time.
ReplyDeleteIs it really true that you get a cold just by exposing to a cold weather? My parents always tells me that this is true, but more i read about it on the internet, it is more likely false. But i still have some confusion on this.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to add that, the best prevention is thorough and regular washing of the hands.
Another important prevention measure is to avoid touching your nose and eyes.
Bye the way, i tried all your methods and it really works, specially that vitamin C one. Thanks for such a nice post.
I had no clue about the elderberries. I will deffinetly have some around the next cold season.
ReplyDeleteI have found that nettles tea leaves a beautiful pale mossy-green dye behind once done with the drink! It is fun to experiment with different herbal teas to see just what colors you come up with. Also, Horsetail tea is another good source for a darker green.
ReplyDeleteYeah I actually had no idea about the elderberries point. I've actually been looking for quite a few travel nurse jobs and believe it or not, some of the basic requirements to becoming a nurse is to know how to cure common illnesses, like the cold. Something to keep in mind, I think.
ReplyDeleteI am actually a bit under the weather right now, so I'm going to take your advice and hope I can overcome this cold soon!
ReplyDelete