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 Seasonably comfortable autumn weather tricks us into thinking that the cold and flu season has not arrived yet. But it may be the reason for congestion, stomach bugs and more. The common cold is one of the most bothersome and common complaints in the upcoming months. Cold symptoms can be introduced or aggravated by allergies and anyone living in the rolling hills of Chester County probably suffers from, or knows someone who suffers from, allergy or cold symptoms.
You can take over-the-counter medications that do a good job eliminating the symptoms but there are alternative medicines that may be just as effective. Remember, most current pharmaceutical medications are simply derived from or mimic natural remedies. For instance, aspirin was derived from the Willow tree and Morphine is found in the Poppy plant. Most medicines are derived from organic matter so more natural alternative remedies should be at least considered.
Colds are thought of as very benign, and with the medical advances we have made in the past hundred years, it is astounding that the common cold still thrives! Relief from symptoms is often as easy as reaching for a zinc tablet or lozenges. Scientific studies show that taking zinc can reduce a cold duration by half, and the symptoms can be reduced as well. Vitamin C is known to help boost the immune system and, as an added benefit, the excess vitamin C acts as a detoxifying agent, which helps empty the bowels. The herb Echinacea is also another remedy that is thought to prevent and reduce cold symptoms. Why the popularity in alternative treatments? Well, even over the counter products that aim to combat cold symptoms often bring with them a host of side effects that are unpleasant. Whereas Zinc and vitamin C have barely any side effects at all, and do the same job.
You can also try some other remedies such as aromatherapy with soothing scents like pine or eucalyptus. Food can be another remedy. Grapefruit is known to not only have high concentrations of Vitamin C but also detoxifies the liver, boosting the immune system. Drinking pineapple juice is also thought to help break down mucus and tends to be easier on the stomach than orange juice. Crushed or minced garlic has a chemical called allicin, which is a potent natural antibiotic. Boiling onions and using the steam as a vaporizer is a natural way to open the sinus and nasal passages. Don't forget the old fashioned chicken soup for alleviating symptoms. Chicken soup offers protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber and hydration as well as being comforting and easy to digest.
So this season, when your nose is stuffy and your throat is scratchy, think about alternative preventatives and healthier remedies for cold and allergy symptoms. |
