Colds

An estimated 66 million Americans get the common cold every year, and spend app. $40 billion a year on fixing it! In a two week high risk period it is estimated that a third of the United States will have a cold.

Here’s something you may not know.having a cold may be your body’s attempt at getting rid of built up toxins, wastes, and bacterial overgrowth. With a cold your glands are affected and as your endocrine system is on a 6 day cycle, and a cold normally lasts a week it stands to reason that your system might be detoxifying. So let’s consider some ways to help your body do this house cleaning!

• A daily walk revs up your immune system and gets fresh air into your system. Oxygen cleanses your lungs, and helps you to stop feeling sorry for yourself.

• Consider taking ascorbate vitamin C or Ester C, 1000mg every hour, preferably in powder form with juice, through out the day.

• Zinc lozenges will soothe a sore throat as will propolis spray.

• Smoking and drinking alcohol suppresses immunity so avoid these. A little brandy and lemon will clear mucous however.

• Sugary, fried, and dairy foods increase the production of mucous, so stay away from them!

• Eat light meal with concentrated nutrition, like mostly vegetables, fruits and whole grains.

• Keep warm, and increase humidity in your environment.

• Drink plenty of liquids; 6-8 glasses daily of fresh fruit and vegetable juices, herb teas, and clean water to flush toxins from your system.

• Take a long hot seaweed bath, or sit in a sauna. This will pull toxins from the skin.

• Stay as relaxed as possible, and let your body concentrate on cleaning out the infection and toxins. Get plenty of sleep!

• Use a nasal wash every day to keep bacteria cleared from the nasal passages.

• Wash your hands frequently, keep surfaces clean, and spray disinfectant air cleaner often.

Natural remedies to look into are; dandelion tea which releases congestion and cascara sagrada tea clears the bowel of lingering mucous. Elderberry-mint-yarrow tea is a good throat coat, and a cold deactivation remedy is to mix in a glass of aloe vera juice, Â1⁄4 tsp. vitamin C crystals, 2 tsp. SAMBUCOL elderberry syrup, Â1⁄2 tsp. turmeric powder (or open a curcumin capsule), 1 opened capsule of Echinacea, Â1⁄2 tsp. propolis extract. Grapefruit seed extract 30 drops in 1 cup of water and put in a squirt bottle to spray in your throat frequently will help your body fight infection.

Be sure to eat yogurt and take an extra probiotic daily to boost your immune system. Garlic added to your food frequently is also a good boost for your immunity, as is adding cayenne pepper, and turmeric to your foods.

For specific help during the cold and flu season consult your local Naturopath.

Angelyn Nienhuser has a doctorate in naturopathy and is a Mental Health Counselor. She can be contacted at 308-249-5520.