You Can't Cure a Cold, But You Can Shorten One
By NaturalGuidance Staff

It's the middle of winter and you're miserable. Like a leaky faucet, your nose won't stop dripping and you've already gone through a box of tissues. Your sinuses are congested, your head is pounding, and post-nasal drip is causing a nagging cough that keeps you up all night. Sound familiar?

And of course, everyone you come in contact with will have a suggestion for how to cure your cold. In many cases, they will be old wives' tales, passed down from generation to generation. The truth, however, is that there really is no such thing as a "cure" for a cold. Here's why...

The symptoms of a cold are really just your body's way of fighting off a virus. By the time your nose starts to run, your body has already been hard at work fighting the invading virus for hours. Autoimmune reactions such as flooding the airways with phlegm, increasing body temperature, and spasms of the throat are all inevitable attempts to reject the pathogen.

For this reason, popular cold and cough remedies may do more harm than good, because while controlling symptoms, they may also inhibit the body's natural response to a virus. Effective natural treatments for cough and cold focus around two main ideas:

1.) Taking preventative measures to boost the immune system.
2.) Once infected, allowing the body to do its job as quickly as possible.

Below, we will outline the most viable natural cough and cold remedies.



Herbal Cold Remedies and Vitamin Supplements

Natural Ways to Prevent Cough & Cold Viruses

1.) Garlic and Garlic Supplements
      - Contains allicin, which is known for its immune system-boosting         antibacterial and antifungal properties.
      - Can decrease the risk of catching a cold by over 50%.
      - Crush 2-3 cloves of garlic and add to chicken soup, or eat it raw.

2.) Astragalus Root
      - Strengthens the immune system and has antiviral properties.
      - Is available in capsules, teas, tinctures, extracts, and as a dried root.
      - We recommend a bowl of soup with astragalus root every week during         the cold and flu season.

3.) Vitamin C
      - Traditionally, Vitamin C is probably the most common preventative         measure for cough and cold symptoms, however recent research         indicates that Vitamin C does not prevent the common cold.
      - Vitamin C may reduce the length and severity of a cold, if contracted.
      - Take 200mg per day in capsult or tablet form.

4.) Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)
      - Contains powerful immune system-boosting compounds called         anthocyanins that may block viruses from bonding to cells, particularly         the flu virus.
      - Available in capsule and juice form at health food stores.



Relieve Cough & Cold Symptoms Naturally

Here are a few tested and proven methods to relieve your cough and cold symptoms naturally.

1.) Zinc Lozenges
      - Reduces the duration and severity of a cold (if taken within the first 24         hours) by preventing the virus from spreading.
      - Take 8-10 lozenges per day (every 2 hours). Each lozenge will typically         contain 13.3mg of zinc.
      - Only take zinc lozenges during the duration of the cold - not to exceed         5 consecutive days, as this may cause a nutrient imbalance.
      - Avoid zinc nasal sprays, as they may affect the sense of smell. Popular         zinc nasal spray Zicam is facing a class action lawsuit by users who         claim they have lost their sense of smell.

2.) Elecampane Root (Inula helenium)
      - An herbal remedy indigenous to Europe that has been used for         centuries to treat respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma         and to fight viral infections.
      - An effective natural expectorant that has been shown to thin mucus in         the sinuses and chest.
      - Can be taken in capsule form, but may be more effective when taken         as a tincture.

3.) Hot Tea With Honey & Lemon
      - Hot drinks can relieve congested sinuses.
      - Honey soothes the throat. Use at least 1 teaspoon of honey.
      - Lemon is packed with Vitamin C, which has been shown to increase the         body's resistance to viruses and reduce the duration of a viral attack.         Use the juice from an entire lemon.

4.) Get Plenty of Rest
      - Resting will help your immune system to efficiently battle the virus         causing your cold.

5.) Gargle with Salt Water
      - Add 1 teaspoon of salt to 1/3 cup of warm water.
      - Gargle with this solution 3-4 times per day.

6.) Blow Your Nose
      - Blowing your nose regularly is critical. Avoid sniffling, which sucks the         mucus back into your sinuses and can prolong a cold.
      - Blow gently to avoid headaches or earaches.

7.) Eucalyptus Steam Inhalation
      - Has been shown to relieve nasal and sinus congestion caused by the         common cold and flu.
      - Boil a pot of water and pour approximately 5 cups into a medium bowl.         Add 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus globulus). Lean over the         bowl at a distance of roughly 18 inches. Cover your head with a towel         to create an enclosed area for the steam to circulate. With your eyes         closed, breathe in and out deeply for 10-15 minutes or until the         steam subsides.