| During cold and flu season, it's normal to | | | | to the nature of the plant. The upper part of |
| see commercials touting the latest cold and | | | | the plant contains most of the benefits, |
| flu remedies on TV that claim to stop your | | | | while the lower part has little therapeutic |
| suffering in their tracks. Most of these over | | | | benefit. |
| the counter remedies treat the symptoms, but | | | | |
| don't lessen the duration of a cold. Also, | | | | Spicy Food |
| many of these medications can make you drowsy | | | | |
| or feel drugged. | | | | Spicy foods that contain garlic, onions and |
| | | | cayenne pepper can help you recover quicker |
| Home cold and flu remedies are more popular | | | | from a cold. These three foods contain |
| than ever and are an alternative to those who | | | | powerful antioxidants and immune system |
| don't want to subject themselves to medicines | | | | compounds that will aid your body in |
| with lots of mysterious ingredients. While | | | | expelling the virus. Eating a bowl of chili |
| there is no cure for the common cold or flu, | | | | for lunch or dinner is a great way to eat |
| there are several popular home remedies that | | | | your way to feeling better in no time. |
| can help lessen their duration and effects on | | | | |
| your body. | | | | Vaporizers and Personal Steamers |
| | | | |
| Chicken Soup | | | | Hot steam rising up through your nasal |
| | | | passages and into your sinuses and lungs is a |
| Eating a bowl of savory chicken soup has long | | | | great way to clear congestion out of your |
| been one of the most popular home cold and | | | | system. One of the things that makes having a |
| flu remedies around. This old fashioned | | | | cold so miserable is that your nose is |
| remedy has really stood the test of time. | | | | clogged and your chest if filled with gunk. |
| Chicken soup was prescribed for colds as far | | | | Vaporizers and personal steamers work by |
| back as ancient Egyptian times. This remedy | | | | adding water to a base and then heating it up |
| has probably survived so long because it does | | | | until it becomes steam. You breath in the |
| contains protein, which the body needs to get | | | | steam and it clears your system, allowing you |
| better, plus, it goes down easy and is warm | | | | to rest easier. |
| and comforting. Recent research has shown | | | | |
| that chicken soup does have anti-inflammatory | | | | Steam Bath |
| nutrients. So, go ahead and make yourself a | | | | |
| nice, warm bowl of chicken soup. | | | | Soaking in a nice, hot bath is relaxing |
| | | | anytime, but when you have a cold the steam |
| Vitamin C | | | | rising up from the tub can have a soothing |
| | | | effect on your tired body. Steam is great for |
| Vitamin C is prized for its immune boosting | | | | breaking up the congestion that clogs your |
| benefits to the body. When you get a cold or | | | | sinuses and chest. To create an aromatherapy |
| the flu, the virus tends to attack your | | | | experience, add a few drops of peppermint oil |
| healthy blood cells, which then have fight | | | | or camphor oil to the hot water. Please do |
| back - this makes you tired and drains you of | | | | not use this remedy for babies and toddlers, |
| energy. When you drink orange juice or any | | | | as it may cause them injury. |
| other citrus juice packed with vitamin C, you | | | | |
| are literally giving your healthy blood cells | | | | Hot Toddy |
| a boost of power to repel those nasty cold | | | | |
| germs. Many people choose to take the tablet | | | | Hot toddies are one of the long time favorite |
| form of vitamin C. Either way, vitamin C is | | | | cold and flu remedies. Many people believe |
| one of the most powerful home remedies you | | | | that curling up on the couch (or in a |
| can take to fight off a cold. | | | | favorite chair) and drinking a hot toddy is a |
| | | | good way to fight off a cold or flu, but in |
| Echinacea | | | | fact, there is little evidence that this |
| | | | drink has any curative benefits. |
| Echinacea is a popular herbal remedy that is | | | | |
| used to lessen the duration of a cold. You | | | | A hot toddy is made with hot water, or tea, |
| can find Echinacea in capsule form, in | | | | lemon juice, sugar or honey and either rum, |
| lozenges or as an alcohol based tincture. | | | | brandy, or whiskey. While delicious, the |
| While Echinacea does have curative benefits, | | | | American Lung Association cautions that |
| its effect in cold fighting often has mixed | | | | drinking alcohol while sick with a cold will |
| results. Alcohol based Echinacea tinctures | | | | lead to dehydration, which can make a cold |
| can last for several years, while the dry | | | | last longer. However, if you can't sleep and |
| leaves found in many pills and capsules can | | | | don't want to take an over the counter cold |
| lose their effectiveness over time. Also, the | | | | medication, drinking a hot toddy with alcohol |
| quality of the Echinacea varies greatly due | | | | will send you into a nice slumber. |