Common colds
Preventions
Lifestyle Preventions:
- Exercise (CTBH 89.1)
- Good ventilation (CTBH 107.2)
- Bathing (3T 70.1)
Nutrition: “In the first double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the prevention of viral disease with garlic supplements, participants on garlic experienced 60 percent fewer colds and were affected 70 percent fewer days, indicating potential benefits in reducing the incidence and severity of the common cold”. - Nutritionfacts.org
Causes
Lifestyle Causes:
- Overworking (1LTms, MS 1, 1863, par 17)
- Poor dressing (CTBH 89.1)
- Continuous use of drugs (4aSG 137.1)
Environmental causes:
- Poorly ventilated room (CTBH 107.2)
Remedies
Start with a prayer.
- Fresh air (4aSG 143.2)
- Judicious exercise (very light - walking)
1. Honey and Lemon Drink
Ingredients:
- Fresh lemon: 1/2 lemon
- Honey: 1 tablespoon
- Warm water: 1 cup (about 240 ml)
Instructions:
1. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a cup.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of honey to the cup.
3. Pour 1 cup of warm (not boiling) water into the cup.
4. Stir well until the honey is completely dissolved.
5. Drink while warm to soothe the throat and alleviate cold symptoms.
2. Ginger Tea
Ingredients:
- Fresh ginger root: 1-2 inches (sliced thinly or grated)
- Water: 2 cups (about 480 ml)
- Optional: Honey to taste
- Optional: Lemon juice to taste
Instructions:
1. Peel and thinly slice or grate 1-2 inches of fresh ginger root.
2. In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil.
3. Add the sliced or grated ginger to the boiling water.
4. Reduce heat and let simmer for 10-20 minutes, depending on how strong you prefer the flavour.
5. Strain the tea into a cup, removing the ginger pieces.
6. Add honey and/or lemon juice to taste, if desired.
7. Drink warm to help relieve cold symptoms and soothe the throat.
3. Immune booster.
Ingredients:
- 1 garlic clove - pressed
- Half teaspoon of fresh ginger - finely chopped
- Juice from 1 lemon
- A pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 2 drops of eucalyptus oil
Instructions:
- Squeeze out the lemon juice and leave aside separate.
- Chop ginger and press garlic through the press. Add both to the empty glass and pour a bit more than half glass of hot water
- Wait for 3-4 minutes for ginger and garlic juices to mix in water (if you don't want to drink the pieces you can get them out before adding the rest of ingredients)
- Add lemon juice, pinch of cayenne pepper, honey and eucalyptus oil, mix and drink
How the ingestion remedies help.
1. Honey and Lemon: A warm mixture of honey and lemon can be soothing for a sore throat and may help reduce coughing. Honey has antibacterial properties and acts as a natural cough suppressant, while lemon provides vitamin C and helps to clear nasal congestion. Simply mix the juice of half a lemon and a tablespoon of honey in a cup of warm water and drink it.
2. Ginger Tea: Ginger is well-known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve cold symptoms. It can soothe a sore throat, decrease nausea, and fight respiratory infections. To make ginger tea, slice fresh ginger and steep it in boiling water for a few minutes. You can add honey or lemon for flavour and additional benefits.
3. Immune booster: Garlic has been studied for its potential immune-boosting properties, largely attributed to its high concentration of compounds like allicin. Allicin is thought to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties, which might help fight off cold viruses.
Ginger: Ginger is well-known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties, which can help relieve symptoms like a sore throat and congestion. It is also used as a natural remedy for nausea, which can sometimes accompany a flu.
Lemon Juice: High in vitamin C, lemon juice is another popular remedy for colds due to its potential to support the immune system and increase the production of white blood cells, which are key players in fighting off infections.
Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which can help clear nasal congestion by thinning mucus. It also has analgesic properties, which might help alleviate pain.
Honey: Honey is often used for soothing sore throats and can be effective as a cough suppressant. Its antimicrobial properties may also help in fighting infections.
Eucalyptus Oil: Commonly found in over-the-counter treatments for colds, eucalyptus oil can help clear nasal passages. It's also known for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, which can help alleviate symptoms of a cold.
