Natural Cures for Common Cold

The common cold, also known as "acute coryza," is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and is caused by infection with virus. It occurs more often than all other diseases. A person suffers from this disease three times in a year on an average. A cold usually lasts from three to ten days. The patient feels miserable for the first three days or so.

Common cold symptoms include:

* Sore throat
* Stuffy nose
* Runny nose
* Cough
* Mild fever
* Sneezing

The flu, on the other hand, often causes higher fever, chills, body ache, and fatigue. So don't get confused.

How Do We Get Cold?
The common cold results from exposure to a virus, Acute viral nasopharyngitis, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory system (nose and throat). Lowered vitality, allergic disorders of the nose and throat, chilling of the body, lack of sleep, depression, fatigue and factors such as sudden changes in temperature, dust and other irritating inhalations are important contributory causes for the development of a cold.

A cold is a natural way of expelling toxic waste (toxins and other excessive acid forming foods) from the human system. The duration of the cold will depend on the amount of poisons accumulated in the body and the rapidity with which they are expelled.

How To Treat Cold by using Natural Cures Remedy?
The best treatment for colds is a proper diet. Begin the treatment is to put the patient on a fast for two days. Nothing should be taken during this period except warm water mixed with lemon juice and honey or fruit juice and hot water. A liquid diet of fruit juice in large amounts is necessary to neutralize the acid condition of the blood and hot drinks are needed to help clear the kidneys. Pineapple juice in particular is highly beneficial.

The short juice fast may be followed by an exclusive fresh fruit diet for three days. In this regimen, the patient should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples,pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches, melon or any other juicy fruit in season.

Bananas, dried or stewed or tinned fruits, should not be taken. No other foodstuff should be added to the diet as otherwise the whole value of the treatment is lost.

After the exclusive fruit diet, the patient should gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely

(i) seeds, nuts and grains
(ii) vegetables
(iii) fruits

It is advisable to avoid meat, fish, eggs, cheese and starchy foods for a few days until you feel better. Usually after 2-3 days you will feel better.

What are the natural remedies to prevent cold?

Vitamin C - It protects one against infection and acts as a harmless antibiotics. It is found in citrus fruits,green leafy vegetables, sprouted Bengal and green grams.

Lime - is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is highly beneficial in all types of cold and fevers. It should be taken well diluted. Vitamin C-rich lime juice increases resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness.

Echinacea - when taken at first sign of a cold, reduced cold symptoms or shortened their duration.

Zinc - For some people, zinc lozenges and nasal sprays may help prevent and treat a cold and the flu. Zinc salts are effective against pathogens in direct application.

Ginseng - people taking North American ginseng had fewer, milder, and shorter colds.

Ginger - also an excellent food remedy for colds and coughs. Studies of ginger show its ability to settle the stomach and control nausea and vomiting. Among Ayurvedic practitioners in India, it's long been prescribed as a digestive aid. In China and Japan, it's used to treat headaches, colds, and nausea.

Turmeric (Kunyit) - with its antiseptic properties, is an effective remedy for cold and throat irritations. In Ayurvedic, it is used for antiseptic for cut and burns, and also has fluoride which is essential for teeth. It is also used as antibacterial agent.

Garlic soup - is an ancient remedy to reduce the severity of cold. Garlic contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties besides several other medicinal virtues. The volatile oil in garlic flushes out the system of all toxins and thus helps bring down fever. Garlic oil combined with onion juice, diluted with water and drunk several times a day, has also been found in several studies to be extremely effective in the treatment of the common cold.

1. Natural Preventions for Common Cold
2. Wash Your Hands - Keep your hands clean from germs.
3. Keep distance from people who have cold fever.
4. Exercise regularly to boost your body natural immunity.
5. Eat Vegetables for natural antioxidants and Yogurt(low fat is best for your cholesterol level) to get more beneficial bacteria to fight off viruses.

Other Alternative Therapy

Yogasanas like bhujangasana, shalabhasana, dhanurasana, and yogamudra in vajrasana, yogic kriyas such as jalneti and vamandhouti and pranayamas such as kapalbhati, anuloma- viloma and suryabhedana are beneficial in the treatment of the common cold.





Source - Webmd