Fighting Colds and the Flu Naturally

February 4, 2009

By Natalie Millis

It’s that time of year—when colds and the flu follow us into our houses for the winter!

Since most colds and flu are caused by viruses, antibiotics and other medicines won’t do anything to fight them. Instead, natural remedies can be used to help reduce symptoms and even shorten the length of the illness. Studies have been done that prove the usefulness of many of these remedies our grandparents used. [1]

Here’s a list of some common ones to try:

• Hot tea with honey will do wonders for a sore throat. Hot liquids have a soothing effect and honey coats the throat. Avoid caffeinated tea, as this will dehydrate you.
  • use Wild Cherry Bark tea for coughs and lung troubles [2]
  • use Green tea to boost the body’s immune system [3]

• Home-made chicken soup. Scientific research has established that compounds in chicken soup do in fact destroy cold and flu viruses. [4] Put a whole, defrosted chicken into a pot with about 2” water covering it, add diced vegetables (onion, celery, carrots, garlic) and a big pinch of salt, bring to a boil, turn it down, and let it simmer for a few hours until the meat falls off the bones. Season the broth with salt and pepper as needed, add noodles, and your remedy is ready to eat!
  

• Garlic packs a powerful antibacterial/antiviral punch. If you feel that you’re coming down with something, finely dice a large clove of garlic. Let it sit on the cutting board for ten minutes (this allows the antibacterial compounds to form). While it’s sitting, toast a piece of bread and put a little butter on it. Now sprinkle all the raw garlic onto the toast, and eat. Repeat a few times a day, if possible. Garlic breath is a small price to pay for staying well!
  

• Vitamin C is another proven immune booster that may help shorten the amount of time you’re sick. Eat spinach, red or yellow peppers, grapefruit, and oranges. Add fresh lemon juice to your tea, drink orange juice, or take a supplement such as Emergen-C.
  

• Sleep! Stay home from work/school so you can rest up, get well, and avoid spreading your cold to others.
  

Prevention:

• It is most important to wash your hands often—especially before you eat, after you wipe a child’s nose, and after visiting public buildings (grocery store, work, post office, etc).
  

• There are many supplements available from health stores that claim to prevent colds and flu. Try Co-Q-10 capsules, Zinc lozenges, or Echinacea capsules. All of them may help reduce your risk of getting sick during cold/flu season. [5] Always tell your pharmacist and doctor about any supplements you are taking.
  

• Last, but not least: maintaining a healthy body means that you will be less prone to getting sick in the first place. Take care of yourself—sleep enough, eat a balanced diet, and get as much exercise as you can.
  

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Notes:
1. Miller, Alexia. “Grandma knows best? Grandma’s remedies for cold and flu,” Sheknows Magazine. Retrieved 11/19/08 from http://patti.skdev.sheknows.com/articles/803001.htm
2. “Wild Cherry Prunus serotina,” Annie’s Remedy Guide. Retrieved 11/19/08 from http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail256.php
3. Mullens, Fran. “Green Tea is Food for Your Immune System,” Ezine online. Retrieved 11/19/08 from http://ezinearticles.com/?Green-Tea-is-Food-for-Your-Immune-System&id=837093
4. Miller, Alexia. “Grandma knows best? Grandma’s remedies for cold and flu,” Sheknows Magazine. Retrieved 11/19/08 from http://patti.skdev.sheknows.com/articles/803001.htm
5. “Quick review of cold supplements and tips for staying well this season,” Our Health News Online, retrieved 11/19/08 from http://www.ourhealthcoop.com/newsletter/news_cold&flu.htm