A Natural Approach To Health

Living With the Common Cold

I had a question the other day about the common cold.

Sneezing, scratchy throat, and a runny nose are the first signs of a common cold.

The common cold is a group of symptoms in your upper respiratory tract caused by many different viruses.

Although more than 200 viruses can cause the common cold, it’s usually caused by the rhinovirus, which causes 10-40% of colds.

The coronaviruses cause about 20% of colds and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes 10% of colds.

You can catch a common cold from another person who’s infected with the virus.

This usually happens by touching a surface contaminated with cold germs and then touching your nose or mouth.

For the common cold, it’s beneficial to:

*Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily, with Performance, to remain hydrated and flush toxins.

*Astragalus helps promote multiplication of white blood cells vital for fighting infection (don’t use if you have a fever).

*Wild pansy prepared as a tea is a good remedy for a cold with a fever, and for upper respiratory tract congestion.  To make the tea, pour 2 cups of hot water over 2 teaspoons of wild pansy, steep for 10 minutes, then strain.  Drink a cup of the tea 2 or 3 times a day after meals for 8 weeks.

*Cat’s claw is useful for easing the symptoms of a cold (don’t use during pregnancy).

*Elderberry is recommended for upper respiratory tract infections and headaches associated with colds.  It promotes sweating and can help to break a fever.

*Eucalyptus oil is helpful for relieving congestion.  Put 5 drops in a hot bath, or 6 drops in 2 cups of boiling water and inhale the steam.  Remove the boiling water from the stove, then place a towel over your head and inhale deeply through your nose for 3-5 minutes.  Rosemary and sage oils can be added to the eucalyptus oil to help break up congestion (don’t use sage if you have a seizure disorder, or are pregnant or nursing).

*Ginger, pau d’arco, slippery elm, and yarrow tea can help the common cold.

*Hyssop, an evergreen that can be taken as a tea, acts as an expectorant and has antiviral properties.

*Mullein is useful for coughs and congestion.

*Red clover helps clear toxins in your lymphatic system causing congestion and inflammation.

*For a sore throat, add 3-6 drops of pure tea tree oil to warm water and gargle.  Repeat this up to 3 times daily.  Take up to 2 tea tree oil lozenges and allow them to dissolve slowly in your mouth.  Repeat this as often as needed.

*Wild cherry bark soothes a cough.

*Take vitamin C and zinc lozenges at the first sign of a sore throat or stuffiness in your head or nose.  This can shorten the duration of a cold, and may even stop it altogether.  Take the lozenges every 3 hours for the first day of cold symptoms.

*Sip hot liquids like turkey or chicken broth.  Drink Potato Peeling Broth twice a day – make it fresh daily.  You can add a carrot, a stalk of celery, garlic, and/or onions to your drink.  Chicken soup is very effective in relieving the worst symptoms and in shortening the duration of a cold.

*Remain as active as possible.  Not only is staying in bed for ordinary sniffles unnecessary, but it’ll probably make you feel worse.  Moving around helps to loosen built-up  mucus and fluids.  Unless you have a fever, a brisk walk or any other type of moderate exercise should make you feel better.

*Flush facial tissues after using.  Because they harbor the virus, tissues can pass on the virus or cause you to reinfect yourself.

*Wash your hands often.  Cold viruses can survive for several hours on hands, tissues, or hard surfaces.  A healthy person can contract the virus by touching a contaminated surface, then touching his or her own mouth or nose.

*Try not to spread the cold to your family or colleagues.  Refrain from close contact with loved ones.  Even shaking hands is out; hand contact can spread the virus.

*Don’t give aspirin, or any product containing aspirin, to a child.

*Eliminate all refined sugar  products (it “turns off” your immune system).

If you’re dealing with the common cold, try these (100% money-back guarantee):

It’s essential to use:  Vita-Lea, Protein, Defend & Resist, Immunity Formula, NutriFeron, Vitamin C, Optiflora, Garlic, Vitamin D.

It’s important to use:  Performance, Alfalfa, B-Complex, CarotoMax, FlavoMax, Zinc.

It’s beneficial to use:  CorEnergy, Calcium/Magnesium, CoQHeart, Stomach Soothing Complex, Gentle Sleep Complex.

Please comment below, like, retweet, and share with your friends!

email:  lenay@dickandlenay.com

PS:  If you have any questions about the common cold, and would like to know how supplements can help, give us a call at 715-431-0657.  We’re here to help.