Naturopathic cold remedies
Medicine has advanced by leaps and bounds. Doctors can now map the human genome and have started to discover what each of our 23000 genes can do. Anti blood-clotters have developed which can stop a heart attack in seconds, reducing heart attack fatalities by forty percent. Surgeons and engineers have together designed robots that can perform heart bypass and abdominal surgeries. MRI machines can now be used to tell what a person is feeling. 3D computer imaging can tell a doctor exactly what is happening in the patient’s lungs, kidneys, liver and intestines, without having to open the patient up.
The common cold, however, still baffles the great minds of medicine. So if you have a cold, your best bet is naturopathic medicine. Naturopathy is an alternative medical system which focuses on the body’s ability to heal, using a minimum of drugs and advocating on healthier lifestyles. There are several naturopathic remedies for the common cold, and in spite of the less than cutting edge approach, they do work quite well. Naturopathic medicine has several advantages over conventional medicine. For the common cold, naturopathic remedies do not induce drowsiness and sap energy the way conventional over-the-counter drugs do.
Colds are caused by viruses, when the body’s immune system is particularly vulnerable, like in very low temperatures. Colds can be painful, and no one likes being congested, feverish, and covered in Kleenex. To make the cold go away as quickly as possible, here are a few simple things people can do:
Drink lots of fluids. Yes, it sounds trite, but nothing is more important than staying hydrated during a cold. It flushes toxins from the system and keeps the body supple. However, caffeinated coffee and tea, alcohol, soft drinks, and sugary juice cocktails are a no-no. These are diuretics; they actually make you lose water.
Take vitamin C and A. Vitamin C stimulates the white blood cells of the body to fight off diseases. Fruits such as lemons and oranges contain a great deal of vitamin C and should be eaten regularly. Vitamin C supplements are also a great option, but taking too many too often can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. vitamin A is found in carrots, sweet potatoes and liver. Unless you’re pregnant woman, in which case too much vitamin A is not a good idea, it is recommended that you add vitamin A to your diet during a cold, as it is very good for the mucus membranes which make up the majority of the respiratory system.
Eat foods containing zinc. Like vitamin C, zinc is an immune system booster. It can be found in oysters, beef and beans. This mineral can shorten the duration of the cold, and is said to inhibit cold viruses. If taken in tablet form, zinc should not be taken regularly for more than a week.
Have Garlic and Echinacea. Garlic has anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, and you can see how garlic is useful considering colds are caused by viruses. Raw garlic can be eaten in a salad or crushed and mixed with lemon, honey, thyme, and shaved raw ginger in warm water. Echinacea is herb with similar anti-viral properties. It is also anti-inflammatory, and an immunomodulator, and works by deactivating the virus enzymes which allows the virus to play havoc in the body. It is also available in capsule form.
Naturopathy also advocates non-chemical decongestants. Steam inhalation is a great way to unclog the throat and lungs. Spicy food and hot soup work very well too, clearing up the sinuses and providing nutrition at the same time.
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