Natural Health

Common Cold

There are currently over 250 different cold viruses around and new strains are evolving constantly. So even though you develop an immunity to a particular cold virus once you catch it, there is always another version ready to reinfect you. On average, adults get a cold 2 to 3 times a year, and each one usually lasts 4 to 10 days. Young children can catch as many as 10 a year. It is not possible to prevent or cure a cold, but you can reduce your risk of catching one and also relieve the symptoms.

Dietary Advice To Reduce The Risk Of Catching Common Cold

If you have a milk allergy reduce or avoid dairy products and use non-dairy alternatives. Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Chillis, cayenne pepper, ginger, onions and garlic have potent antiviral properties and should be added to meals whenever possible. As a preventive take 1 to 2 garlic tablets or 1 ginger capsule a day in winter. Adding cinnamon to hot drinks can help dispel cold symptoms. Reishi, maitake and shiitake mushrooms contain antiviral and immunostimulant chemicals. Grapefruit seed extract is a powerful antiviral, but do not take on an empty stomach.

Zinc lozenges and vitamin C supplements can help reduce symptoms and shorten a cold’s duration.

Complimentary Natural Remedies For Common Cold

Echinacea boosts the body’s defences against viral infections. In herbal cold formulas echinacea is sometimes combined with goldenseal, a herb which soothes inflamed tissues and helps dry up excess mucus. Elderflower tea is good for head colds, sinus problems and sore throats. Nettle tea helps clear the respiratory system. Use 1 to 2 tsp per cup of boiling water and leave to stand for 5 to 10 minutes.

Aromatherapy and essential oils can help combat common cold. Adding 6 to 8 drops lavender, marjoram, tea tree oil or Scots pine oil to a bath can help relieve symptoms and fight the virus. Steam inhalations with 2 drops peppermint oil, 2 to 4 drops eucalyptus oil can help clear stuffiness. Add to a large bowl of hot water and inhale for 5 to 7 minutes. Alternatively, inhale a few drops of any of these oils from a tissue, and tuck a tissue dabbed with lavender by your pillow to promote restful sleep. For chest colds make a chest rub using 10 drops of essential oil in 25 ml grapeseed or sweet almond oil. With peppermint use only 5 drops, and mix with 4 drops marjoram or lavender oil. Inhalations are unsuitable for asthmatics or very young children. If pregnant, avoid marjoram oil.

For a cold that starts with sneezing, runny nose and cold sores, take the homeopathic remedy Natrum mur 6c every 2 hours for up to 4 doses.