Kick the cold!

Given the season upon us, when noses runneth over and scratchy throats are in abundance, the most appropriate herbal remedies to share are those that can help relieve colds and sinus infections. It should be noted that each of us are built differently and some remedies are more effective for certain types of constitutions than others. One aspect of natural health is being aware of what is happening in your body and becoming familiar with what energizes, soothes, and heals you.

When you start to feel a cold sneaking up on you it is best to start pumping up your immune system. Vitamin C, and Echinacea are the most popular cold combatants and are most effective when taken within 24 hours of your first symptoms. Echinacea can be found in the natural living section of your pharmacy or at any health food store. It comes either in a capsule or as an extract. To take as an extract mix 15 drops with water four times a day. Sometimes it is easier to take in extract form because capsules often require taking with food. To boost your vitamin C, an effective preventative food is grapefruit. Grapefruit helps detoxify the liver, therefore building your immune system. Even though other citrus fruits, such as oranges, are also good sources of vitamin C, they are too sweet to promote proper liver damage.

Zinc is also often suggested, but some studies show that while it can shorten your length of illness when taken at the first sign of symptoms, it has little to no effect once your cold in underway. I find that natural honey lozenges enforced with Zinc and Echinacea are very helpful to soothe that scratchy throat, as well as help suppress coughing. In fact according to the Mayo Clinic, studies show that honey appeared to be as effective as the cough suppressant dextromethorphan in typical over-the-counter doses.

For the duration of your cold in addition to lozenges, drink as much peppermint tea or lemon tea sweetened with honey as you have time for and access to. Peppermint tea can help relieve congestion and a lemon tea sweetened with honey will soothe your throat and ease coughing.

Also effective as a tea and high in vitamin C is Cayenne pepper. Capsaicin, the compound that gives the spice its kick is an anti-inflammatory and Cayenne helps break up congestion. It is also effective in capsule form, found in any health section or at a health food store. I knew someone who, whenever he got a cold, would take 2 cayenne pepper capsules with lots of water every couple hours throughout the day, take a hot shower, wrap himself in as many blankets as he could find, and then allow himself a good 8 hours of sleep wrapped like a burrito on the couch. Then top it off with one more hot shower in the morning. It made him sweaty and smelly with quite a bit of laundry, but it would relieve congestion, help build his immune system, and break his cold every time.

According to New Choices for Natural Living, pure pineapple juice is also said to be effective. Drink 4-6 ounces of juice diluted with the same amount of water four times a day. It is less acidic in the stomach than citrus, it is higher in vitamin C, and it helps break down mucus better.

A lot can be said about herbs and other remedies, but the best treatments for any infection are lots of water and plenty of rest. We all have busy schedules that can wear down our bodies’ natural defenses. When you start to feel yourself getting sick try to go to bed an extra hour or two, and set a bit of time aside during the day to nap or just relax to allow your body to recharge. Also when you are utilizing any of these natural remedies continue with the care a couple days following the decline of your symptoms. You may feel better but the illness could be lingering.

Of course the best care is preventative care. While we are all prone to illness, you can minimize the amount and duration of your sick time when you exercise regularly, have a healthy diet, and minimize the amount of stress in your life, or find positive outlets to ease stress.