Cold Remedies
5 MYTHS ABOUT COLD REMEDIES When someone catches a cold there are dozens of remedies which have little or no effectiveness in treating the cold symptoms that come with it. While natural and over the counter drugs have been proven to help treat runny noses, sore throats and congestion and decrease the duration of the illness, there are a few myths which have been proven to be false. Before running to the pharmacy or chemist to buy medication or find a list of exotic herbs, consider the following cold remedies which do not measure up.
• Echinacea Echinacea is a natural herb which has been widely promoted to treat respiratory symptoms that come with a cold. It also is marketed as lessening the duration of a cold. Studies in both adults and children suggest that Echinacea has little to no effect of treating or preventing colds. • Antibiotics Antibiotics are commonly thought of as medication that helps any illness. While they are proven as one of the most effective ways to treat bacterial infections, they have no healing properties when battling a virus. • Starve a Cold While the body needs food to fight any disease, overeating or not eating enough doesn’t help as a cold remedy or to treat a fever. Eating healthily, drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of rest helps the immune system to fight common cold symptoms but eating more does not do anything as a cold remedy. • Hot toddies Many a Grandmother has handed down their own special recipe of whiskey, lemon and sugar as a treatment for the common cold. While the alcohol may help for the short term with aches and pains, it taxes the immune system and increase the chance that the illness will last longer. Avoid alcohol and caffeine when fighting a cold and increase your chances of healing faster. • Avoid Milk When Fighting a Cold Many people suggest that drinking milk when sick with a cold produces more mucus and should be avoided. Studies show that drinking milk has no effect on producing or sustaining any cold symptom.
While many home cold remedies are effective to treat cold symptoms the wisdom surrounding them sometimes can be flawed. Eating right, getting plenty of rest, taking medication that works and letting the body’s immune system fight the disease is the best way to cure a cold. Alternatively, taking antibiotics and medicines which are not proven to treat the cold virus doesn’t help but hinders the healing process.
COLD REMEDIES FOR TRAVELERS Getting a cold when travelling in another country can be a stressful thing to treat. Medicines are different, the language barrier becomes a problem, and one cannot be sure what they are taking without doing expensive research online. One solution to this problem when travelling in remote areas is to take advantage of the natural remedies for colds that have been used for generations. Here are some common cold remedies found in different countries around the world. Ginseng and Cinnamon Ginseng is a Korean remedy whose extract is being sold over the counter as a preventative measure that stimulates the immune system. It also is thought to help with circulation and is used to treat fatigue. When taken to treat cold symptoms it has been shown to decrease the duration of the time spent sick. Cinnamon also has been shown to boost the immune system. Studies show that it also has antibacterial properties. Turmeric and Onions Both turmeric and onions have anti-inflammatory properties. In Persia they are made into a soup to treat the cold. Other remedies include turmeric and honey tea. In India, Turmeric is also believed to help treat cancer. Garlic and Chilies In Mexico, garlic is used to treat cold symptoms. Garlic has antibacterial properties and has been shown to reduce the duration of a cold as well as prevent getting one to begin with. Chilies are used to help with nasal congestion. Their spicy qualities clear the nasal passageways and can produce perspiration, which cleanses the body. Black Pepper and Milk Black pepper and milk is an Indian cold remedy taken in the morning and before sleeping combines one teaspoon of black pepper in a cup of milk. It is used to treat coughs and helps to stimulate digestion. Greek Mountain Tea A herb that is found in the mountain in Greece is called sideritis syriaca. When boiled and served as a tea it treats body aches and decreased congestion. It also helps with breathing problems as it is an anti-oxidant.
Orange and Ginger Tea A Chinese cold remedy is boiling pieces of ginger for ten minutes and then adding orange peel for another ten. Drinking the mixture with honey is said to alleviate sinus congestion for twenty-four hours. While some natural remedies for colds may seem strange to those used to over the counter medication, they have been used for centuries to treat the aches, pains and congestion that a cold induces. If you get a cold while traveling in a foreign country, try one of these remedies to help reduce the time sick.
FIVE COMMON COLD REMEDIES There are many cold remedies that can help shorten the time spent recovering. While over the counter medication has proven positive for treating a cold, there are some tried and true home remedies for cold that shouldn’t be overlooked. These include the following: 1. Chicken Soup Once brushed off as an old wives tales to cure symptoms, chicken soup has been clinically proven to reduce the white blood cell content that causes respiratory problems. Specifically the protein and vegetables in both homemade and store bought soups increase the immune system and alleviate symptoms. 2. Vitamin C and Fluids Vitamin C has been proven to reduce the length of a cold. When taken in proper doses it increases the body’s ability to fight disease. Experts suggest taking Vitamin C several times during waking hours. Drinking plenty of water, juice and broth helps to keep the body hydrated and to loosen congestion. Avoid alcohol, coffee and other drinks with caffeine. 3. Humidity The cold virus prospers in dry conditions which is one reason why colds appear frequently in winter conditions. Using a humidifier helps to heal scratchy throats and stuffy noses. 4. Garlic Eating garlic has been proven to be a preventative measure for catching a cold and also to help reduce the length of the virus. The element in garlic that is effective in fighting colds is allician, which is a natural antibacterial. Allician is also what gives garlic its hot properties. Fresh garlic should be chopped or crushed to increase the effects of allician. While an effective remedy against the common cold, garlic has also been proven to increase the release of insulin and lower blood glucose levels. People taking other drugs to lower blood sugar should take proper measures and be careful about how much garlic that they eat. 5. Ginger Ginger has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat colds. Hot ginger tea with honey and lemon helps to reduce coughing and brings down body temperature. It also stimulates perspiration which cleanses the system. Combining ginger with the vitamin C in lemon and honey has been proven an effective remedy for colds which also helps to hydrate the body. Using these cold remedies when sick can greatly decrease the duration of the time spent recovering. If a cold lasts for more than two weeks, consult a doctor and let them know what measures you have taken to treat your symptoms.
THREE STEPS TO REMEDY CATCHING A COLD While catching a cold can be inevitable part of living and working around people, the causes can vary. Stress, poor diets, inactivity and not having enough time to relax can increase the chances of falling ill with a cold. Fevers, head cold, chest cold, runny noses and congestion can be avoiding by practicing three steps which are known to be preventative measures to getting sick. Simple things like adding ingredients to your diet, exercising and adding elements to your daily routine can increase your immune system and decrease the chances of falling ill. Diet A healthy diet is an essential part of an active life. Eating plenty of fruit helps prevent colds by boosting the immune system with vitamin C. Vitamin C naturally increases white blood cells in the body. These cells are one of the parts of the immune system and keeping a high level is both a good way to avoid illness and an essential part of healing when sick. Other ingredients to commonly cooked meals which have been found to prevent colds are garlic and ginger. When eaten regularly combined with fruits and vegetables, the body’s immune system is kept healthy and working to fight off every day germs. Exercise Exercise also helps to maintain the immune system and stimulates blood flow that keeps the body healthy. For the active and working adult, exercising a few times a week also keeps stress levels low. Stress caused by work and everyday problems can tax the body’s ability to cope with germs and lowers the tolerance to normally manageable viruses and germs. Remembering to exercise, playing sports or just going for a walk during lunch are simple ways to keep your body healthy and avoiding excessive stress levels. Relaxation While an obvious part of living, many people forget to take the time to smell the roses. Busy schedules, hectic work weeks and other obligations to family and friends can overload people and cause higher chances of catching easily avoidable diseases such as the cold. Making time to do fun activities and get away for a day, a weekend or a few hours has been proven to be an essential part of keeping healthy. Many people often overlook or take for granted the simple steps that can be taken which help to prevent diseases like the common cold. Eating right and using ingredients which help the body natural defenses to illness, exercising and taking the time to enjoy life are easy ways to avoid getting sick on a regular bases.
UNDERSTANDING OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS There are hundreds of over the counter cold remedies for the different symptoms that spring up when sick. Each is different and to get the right medicine to treat your specific needs. Decongestants and antihistamines have different properties and the way that they are taken also effect the time that they take to start working and the duration of effective relief. Here is a guide to cold remedies and what you should know before you purchase them. Decongestants Decongestants decrease the flow of blood to the nose by restricting the blood tissues. They can be taken in a variety of ways. Phenylephrine and oxymetolazone are decongestants that can be taken in spray or tablet form. Sprays usually start working as soon as they are administered. Tablets are slower to act and take up to thirty minutes to start working. Side effects of decongestants include increased heart rate and feelings of nervousness. Antihistamines These drugs work to counter the effects of histamines in the body. Histamines cause runny noses, scratchy throats and sneezing. The most common antihistamine sold over the counter is Benadryl. Typical side effects of antihistamines include drowsiness and irritation. Loratidine which is found in the medication Alavert, is a newer form of antihistamine which has been proven to treat runny noses and sneezing without causing drowsiness. Cough Suppressants Cough suppressants work by targeting the areas of the brain which are affected by the cold virus. Dextromethorphan is the active chemical ingredient and is related to codeine without the addictive properties. Dextromethorphan is most commonly found in popular over the counter cough medications like Vicks and Robitussin. It is important to remember that when taken in high doses beyond the recommendations causes impaired judgment. Multiple Symptom Medications Multiple symptom medications are generally known to combine decongestants, antihistamines and cough suppressants with pain relievers and drugs for sleep. With recent changes to laws concerning decongestants, these multi-symptom drugs no longer contain Phenylephrine but still use antihistamines and cough suppressants. Be careful to read the labels of the different types of over the counter medicines containing more than one cold remedy as some contain strong sedatives that immediately cause drowsiness and sleep. If taking medication during the day, make sure that the one you take specifically says for use during waking hours. Understanding over the counter medications and their effects before buying them to counter the effects of a cold is important. The different medications are remedies for different symptoms and taking the wrong one will not be effective and can prolong the duration of a cold.
Cold Remedies