Simple Solutions for Staying Well: Fighting Colds Au Naturelle

Science Daily

Despite how isolated I feel after 24 hours in bed, I know I’m not alone in my current battle against misery and phlegm—otherwise known as the curse of the common cold.

During change of season many of us experience at least one of the average adult’s 2-4 colds per year. It’s nice to be armed with tricks and remedies before you’re down for the count, so keep this page handy for when it’s your turn.

Garlic

In Ancient Egypt, garlic was taken with honey daily as a healing tonic, and Medieval Europeans are said to have believed eating entire cloves kept them safe from disease. Even today one of the feistiest seniors I know starts her day with fresh garlic on toast—the 91-year old walks without a cane, doesn’t wear glasses and has the wit of a 22-year old!

When you’re sick, a great way to ingest garlic is by chopping up cloves and boiling them in water for about 20 minutes with organic orange rinds. Combining a bit of honey with the mixture once it’s drained is a blend sent from the gods when your throat is hurting.

Salt

Another trick for sore throats is gargling with salt water, 4-5 times a day. If straight salt water’s a little too harsh for your tastebuds, blend some honey and lemon into the salt and boiling water (just let it cool before you do).

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is another common cold remedy aide that is also a staple in the diets and medicinal recipe books of ancient cultures. Cinnamon is actually native to Sri Lanka but some of its earliest recorded uses date back to 2800 B.C. in China. In Ancient Egypt, cinnamon was used as an ingredient in embalming fluid, as well as a widely used medicine.

Cinnamon is great for both aiding in digestive disturbances as well as improving overall circulation. (Fun fact: it’s also toted as a natural way to enhance a man’s libido!) Cinnamon is widely prescribed to help soothe nausea and diarreah and as an essential oil, has anti-fungal and pain relieving qualities that makes it a helpful prescription for liver ailments as well.

Otherwise, get in bed and sweat! (and not in the fun Friday night way) Giving your body proper rest lets your immune system concentrate on the work it needs to do to heal you—and sweating is a wonderful way to flush out all the toxins trying to take over your wellbeing. Just make sure you replenish all the liquids you let go by drinking lots of juice and water and hot tea.

Stay healthy!