6 Ways to "Feed a Cold" for Natural Relief
'Tis the season of runny noses, watery eyes and aching ears -- ah the joys of winter approaching us! With the October snowstorm that blanketed the Northeast recently, we can't be too prepared for what's heading our way. It seems that last winter, at least once a month someone in my household was complaining of aches, pains and sniffles. It still baffles me that in our modern day and age there is still no cure for the common cold! No little pill to pop, no magic syrup, no aggressive vitamin that will make it all go away ... even the flu vaccine has doubts and misconceptions (although still recommended for those age 18-65); it now seems that new studies reveal its effectiveness is limited to less than 60 percent, as The Huffington Post elaborates here.
As The Sneaky Chef, I have always subscribed to the theory that food is our best medicine, and I am in awe of the power and health benefits of whole, natural foods. As a society, we rely so much on prescriptions and over-the-counter medicines that we tend to forget Mother Nature's biggest lesson of all -- that our dietary intake can simply and magically work wonders. With a little knowledge and care, we can a help our bodies overcome obstacles, prevent illness and regain health.
There's a dizzying assortment of over-the-counter syrups and remedies that promise the world, but beware that most simply block the symptoms and do not cure the ailment. Plus, many syrupy medicines containing dextromethorphan have been declared potentially harmful in small children by the Food and Drug Administration.
Granted if I need to make a TV appearance or do a photo shoot while my nose is bright red and tissue papers are crammed in every pocket, I do head to the local pharmacy, but I do that in full recognition that I am merely blasting out the symptoms for the short term, and am bound to experience side effects and rebounds! I began experimenting and researching non-medicinal methods of therapy in order to bring some comfort to the pains, aches and chills associated with the common cold and flu. Since the inevitable is approaching, I thought it would be a good time to share some of the home remedies that work for my family:
Word of caution: Please seek medical advice if symptoms persist for more than a week or so, or if you have a fever, which may indicate a secondary infection. Contrary to my children's belief, I'm not an actual doctor!
Follow Missy Chase Lapine on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SneakyChef
Cheryl Forberg, RD: Common Cold: 11 Natural Ways To Boost Immunity
Wray Herbert: It's Flu Season -- Watch Your Prejudices
Tamar Abrams: A Child Left for College, a Young Woman Returns for Thanksgiving
saludos aron
Not sure if it makes a cold go away faster but it helps congestion and upset stomach.
Are you not concerned about the sugar in the ice cream and the honey?
In an earlier comment you wrote:
"agreed....sugar and processed foods will weaken the immune system and help the "bad guys"....fight them off with real food, fresh food!"
(See http://www.huffingtonpost.com/social/hp_blogger_Missy%20Chase%20Lapine/cold-flu-remedies_b_1091042_119920708.html)
However, here you express no concern at the use of ice cream and honey.
Perhaps I am missing something but there appear to be contradictions in the advice you are giving.
Zinc nose sprays (...) may cause loss of ability to smell.
(List of Zinc supplement safety concerns: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/982.html#Safety)
What is homeopathy? It was standard in this country before the formation of the AMA and allopathic models. It works on the concept of "like cures like". Over-the-counter, non-toxic.
For the naysayer, pundits and critics who come out of the woodwork every time an alternative therapy is recommended--consider this---according to Gary Null, the British medical Journal, LANCET, published no less than seventy-nine peer-reviewed double-blind placebo controlled studies that proved the effaciacy of homeopathy.
Ossilo, as it is known, is available in your local health food stores and some pharmacies.
Cost per dose: about three bucks. Comes in a package of three.
Must be taken at the first sign of symptoms for maximum effectiveness.
Homeopathy has never been shown to outperform placebo in quality controlled studies. It is merely an elaborate placebo. Even 3 bucks spent on a homeopathic remedy consisting of the "bacterium" Oscillococcinum (shown not to even exist as a microbial entity) is $3 wasted. Save your money. As they say, a cold will get better in 7 days, but with homeopathy it will take only a week!
Seventy-nine....double-blind....placebo-controlled studies...largest circulated and prestigious peer-reviewed journal in the world....
In the words of Mark Twain, "get your facts straight first, then you can distort them"
Your bias against Dr. Null showed your hand. Do you work for Barrett?
Oscillococcinum has been shown in clinical trials to help reduce the severity and shorten the duration of flu-like symptoms.1,2
Oscillococcinum works rapidly, with 63 percent of patients showing “complete resolution” or “clear improvement” at 48 hours.*1 In a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the recovery rate within 48 hours of treatment was significantly greater in the group that received the active drug than in the placebo group.†2
Unlike other flu medicines, Oscillococcinum has no known side effects such as drowsiness, and has no known or reported drug interactions. Oscillococcinum can be purchased at pharmacies, natural food stores and supermarkets.
Oscillo works best when taken early, so it’s helpful to keep it on hand. Take Oscillo at the first signs of flu-like symptoms.
*Versus 48% in the placebo group, P=0.003; †P=0.03.
References:
1. Papp R, Schuback G, Beck E, et al. Oscillococcinum in patients with influenza-like syndromes: a placebo-controlled, double-blind evaluation. Br Homeopath J. 1998;87:69-76.
2. Ferley JP, Zmirou D, D’Adhemar D, Balducci F. A controlled evaluation of a homeopathic preparation in the treatment of influenza-like syndromes. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1989;27:329-335.
1st sign of cold/flu - black elderberry syrup
Black tea w/ Manuka Honey - daytime
'WildTurkey American Honey - night time
Rhinovirus itself is fairly benign. Your immune system essentially overreacts to the threat.
Incidentally, that is why young adults had the highest fatality rates during the Spanish flu outbreak and were most at risk for complications from the more recent H1N1 outbreak: their stronger immune systems were more prone to cytokine cascades.
I would have thought someone that blogs on these issues would be aware of these rather basic facts.
2. If it did, why are you recommending it with the other remedies people have mentioned - eg crystallized ginger, icecream, honey?
You reminded me of an issue regarding multi-vitamin supplements. I always take them after a meal; especially beneficial following a protein food source. You probably already know this. Perhaps others don't.
Anyway, I've taken 3 grams vitamin C for decades as well with short term increases up to 10k mg. at onset of cold/flu symptoms. I may have gotten sick three times in thirty years briefly. My personal experience is positive. For others who have been willing to increase vitamin C dosage up to 10k mg/day at onset of cold/flu symptoms their response has been positive as well.
Bottom line: I don't twist anyone's arm; if they want to try it and experience positive results then great. If not, that's okay too. As you say, it's water soluble and certainly harmless to test for ourselves.