When we’re unwell we usually head straight for vitamin C or zinc to help reduce the impact of our illness. There are usually things in kitchen cupboards that can be just as effective or even complement a vitamin C tablet!
The two most important things to do when you are unwell are to increase your fluids and rest! Water, fresh vegetable or fruit juices reduce dehydration and alleviate congestion. Resting allows your body to heal and focus its energy in fighting the infection.
This will help reduce the irritation and dry tickle when you start to feel a sore throat or dry cough. The freshly squeezed lemon will help kill the infection and the honey (preferably Manuka) will aid in this process and provide a soothing action on your throat.
2. Water & Salt Mix:
This combination increases blood supply to the area by washing away excess mucous by expanding the capillaries to eliminate the infection.
3. Thyme Gargle:
The antiseptic properties of thyme help contain and kill the bacteria. It also has a demulcent (soothing) action that will provide a coating effect to the lining of the throat to reduce any irritation.
4. Super Juice with pineapple, orange & kiwi:
Packed full of vitamin C and E, magnesium, iron and phytochemicals to protect against infection and reduce the severity.
The broth of a chicken is full of immune boosting properties. It helps stimulate our immune system to fight infection. It helps relieve congestion by clearing mucous and virus/bacteria out of our body.
6. Apple cider vinegar:
If you suffer with headaches when you have a cold, try having apple cider vinegar in water. The apple cider vinegar will not only aid in digestion, but also gently purifies the liver reducing headaches. If drinking apple cider vinegar doesn’t appeal, you can always add hot water to a bowel and inhale the vapour.
7. Raise our body temperature:
Viruses and bacteria are very heat sensitive, so if we raise our body temperature we can kill them by creating a hostile environment. This is why our bodies will “run a temperature”…it’s an effective innate self defence strategy. To help this along we can have a hot bath and cacoon ourselves in blankets with a couple of hot water bottles front and back of our chest. Care must be taken not to dehydrate ourselves so drink lots of water preferably with electrolytes.
Author and practicing Paediatrician (30 yrs.) Dr Robert Mendelsohn MD states that there is danger in treating the flu or the common cold with an aspirin. Every parent should own a copy of his book “How to Raise a Healthy Child In Spite Of Your Doctor” and refer to it regularly. He gives sound and practical advice for many health conditions.
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