Is there such a thing as natural cold relief? It comes on slowly. You awake with a scratch in your throat and don’t think much of it. As the day progresses, you notice you feel slightly rundown. Suddenly you find yourself in the midst of a sneezing fit, and then a small yet persistent cough presents itself. Next thing you know, you are sailing full steam ahead into a nasty cold and you’ll do just about anything to steer this ship in the other direction.
Americans battle millions of colds each year. Many choose to combat symptoms with over the counter medication. However, for some, cold medicine can cause unwanted side effects such as feeling jittery or disconnected. If this sounds familiar, you may be interested in exploring alternative options in an effort to safeguard your immune system or cope with common cold symptoms naturally.
Preventative Measures
If you prefer to take a proactive approach to cold season rather than risk your fate, certain natural products and dietary supplements could be of benefit. Research suggests that regular consumption of probiotics may help reduce the number of colds and shorten the length of illness for some. The same can be said for both American ginseng and echinacea. If using these supplements to boost your immune system, sources indicate it is best to start this routine while you are still healthy and be consistent with your regimen over an extended period of time.
Natural Cold Relief
Despite our best efforts, inevitably we all fall victim to a nasty cold every now and again. Once more, natural remedies are on offer. If you sense you’ve got a cold coming on, starting oral zinc lozenges within the first 24 hours could reduce the overall length of your illness. Additionally, some feel that Vitamin C may help with reducing length and severity of the common cold. If you’ve got a little one who is under the weather, they may enjoy a sweet treat of Buckwheat Honey. Some research shows that honey, specifically buckwheat honey, can help reduce coughing and improve sleep in children while sick. (Children under one year should not be given honey in any form.)
Sometimes, regardless of supplements, cold medicine and all the chicken soup you can swallow; you still may suffer from many unpleasant cold symptoms. Ranking high on the list of cold misery is a stuffy, raw, red, runny nose.
If your sinuses are throbbing it might be time to try a nasal irrigation system. Rinsing out your nasal passages can help loosen thick mucus and could offer some relief from sinus pressure. Neti pots are a popular option when it comes to nasal irrigation. A neti pot looks like a small teapot with a long, thin spout that is used to push saline water through your sinus passages. It may sound a little strange, but when performed correctly it can feel like a much-needed release. That being said, the membranes in our sinuses are sensitive, and improper use of nasal irrigation systems can cause infection, so be sure to follow instructions very carefully.
Healthy Living
Lastly, we would be remiss if we did not mention the importance of proper hand washing, getting plenty of rest, and eating a nutritious and balanced diet year round, and especially during cold season. Common colds are unavoidable, but healthy habits are our best defense. Luckily, when our defenses do get penetrated, and they will, we have the option to take a more natural approach to getting our bodies back to a state of good health.
Sources:
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/cold
https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/flu