Holistic Remedies

Colds remedies

The human body becomes susceptible to colds and flu if it is in either a too alkaline or too acid condition. Most people are too acid and subsequently catch many colds and flus. To maintain a a healthier, alkaline condition in the body to resist germs:
1) Eat right
2) Get sufficient sleep
3) Avoid worry and stress, both of which create acid conditions in the body

To alkalinize the body at the first sign of a cold:
1) Add 1 tsp baking soda to 1 glass water. Sip slowly every hour.

2) Drink as much liquid as possible, as much as 1 gallon a day.

3) Make part of the above liquid 4 glasses of water per day to which 1-2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and 2 Tbsp of honey has been added.

4) Drink large amounts of fenegreek tea

5) 24 Hour Cold Chaser Tea
Mix equal parts cinnamon, sage and bay leaf. Use 1 tsp of the herb mixture in 1 cup of boiling water. Drink one cup of the te per hour.Supposed to get rid of a cold in 24 hours.

6) Agrimony Cold Chaser Tea
Mix equal parts: agrimony vervain boneset culvers root
Add 1 tsp of the mixture to 1 cup boiling water. Steep, strain. Drink 1 cup every hour until cold is arrested.

7) Echinacea and goldenseal are excellent immune system boosters. Taken together, they are especially effective in combating a cold.Drink as a tea or use prepared dried herb capsules. Other useful herbs to comabt a cold are: ginger, red clover, dandelion, horseradish, nasturtium and pau d'arco.

Homeopathic Remedies: The homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum, when taken immediately at first sign of a cold has worked 100% of the time for me in knocking out a cold before it even takes hold! The key is to make sure you have it on hand in your medicine cabinet. Other remedies include Aconite at the first sign of a cold and Allium to dry up a runny nose.

9) Garlic is well known for its antibiotic and antifungal properties. Use chopped, raw cloves in salads or use prepared deodorized capsules.

10) St. John's Wort stimulates the immune system.

11) Lungwort is an old time remedy for upper-respiratory infections.

12) Folk Remedy: Chicken noodle soup contains mild antibiotic and decongestant properties.

13) Feverfew has been used for centuries to lower a fever

14) Licorice Root is useful in viral infections. Drink as a tea, use prepared capsules, chew on licorice root herb or eat natural licorice candy

15) At first sign of a cold, without delay, finely chop 9 small horehound leaves. Add 1 Tbsp honey. Eat raw as needed.

10) At the first sign of a cold make a tea of:
1/2 tsp elderberry
1/2 tsp peppermint
1/2 tsp yarrow
1 cup boiling water
Infuse for 20 minutes then strain. Add 1 tsp of honey and 1/4 tsp of cayenne pepper. This should decrease the severity and discomfort of the cold. If the pepper is too strong for your taste decrease pepper to taste or omit entirely. This will, however, decrease the infusions effectiveness. This tea may also be taken during the progress of the cold to help relieve symptoms. Grated ginger may be added to reduce chills.

16) Folk Remedy: Cure a cold by rubbing the soles of the feet with cut garlic cloves.

17) Massage tea tree oil into the front of your throat and carefully swab just inside the ear canal. Tea tree oil has great antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties.

18) Hot Foot Bath
Use any of the following, alone or in combination (let your nose be your guide) in a hot foot bath for head congestion and fever:
Sage
Rosemary
Thyme
Pine essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil
1 Tbsp mustard powder

19) At the first hint of a sore throat or cold, take one zinc-gluconate lozenge every two hours (not to exceed six per day) for up to one week. Substitute zinc supplement tablets, use according to directions on the bottle.

20) Eat chilies, red peppers, horseradish, and onions to clear the lungs and dispel mucus.

21) Take a total of 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C throughout the day to fight off infection.

22) Take 25,000 international units of beta-carotene per day to help fight off infections.

23) To promote perspiration and soothe a sore throat, pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1 teaspoon of peeled, finely chopped fresh ginger root. Infuse for 5 minutes; add honey if desired, drink as necessary.