How to Use Natural Ingredients to Cure the Common Cold
Each year, especially when winter rolls around, there's no hiding from them. They're floating in the air, lingering on
phones
and door knobs, and clinging to computer keyboards. They're even lurking on the fingers of the new neighbor's hand you just shook. Once they have struck, each victim can count on a runny nose, harsh cough, sore throat and other miserable ailments. The culprits of this misery are rhinoviruses and they're the cause of the common cold, which is the most common acute illnesses in the U.S. and the Western world, according to Ray Sahelian, medical doctor and author of "The Common Cold Cure." Luckily, there are several natural ingredients to vanquish these vile viruses.
Things You'll Need:
Garlic
Eucalyptus oil
Ginger root
Thyme
Exotic mushrooms
1
Garlic is a powerful seasoning agent in the kitchen, but it's just as powerful in the medicinal world, too. "The best home remedy I have found for colds is to eat several cloves of raw garlic at the first onset of symptoms," said Andrew Weil, medical doctor and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Raw garlic is an effective antibiotic, especially active against fungal infections. Weil said that "garlic loses its antibiotic properties when you cook or dry it, and commercial garlic capsules do not preserve the full activity of the fresh bulb." He suggested chopping it up into fine pieces and mixing it with food, or swallowing pieces like pills.
2
A second natural cold alternative is eucalyptus oil. Weil said that eucalyptus is a "natural antibacterial agent," and it brings relief to respiratory problems including chest congestion, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat and laryngitis. The aromatic oils will help stop bacterial growth and reduce the risk of getting secondary infections, Weil said. Add a handful of eucalyptus leaves or a teaspoon of essential oil to boiling water and for a steam inhalation.
3
Another herb with a natural anti-inflammatory agent is ginger root. Because of it's anti-inflammatory, anti-nauseant and warming qualities, ginger is soothing for bronchial congestion, according to Weil. "Ginger root tea helps relieve head and chest congestion while staving off chills," Weil said.
4
Another cold-busting herb is thyme. "Thyme tea, with or without a spoonful of honey, is an excellent home remedy for colds, sinus congestion, sore throat and tonsillitis," said Andrew Chevallier, former president of National Institute of Medical Herbalists and author of the Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. He said the tea should be gargled then swallowed to disinfect the air passages, relieve coughing and stimulate the clearance of phlegm.
5
Ultimate immune-boosting ingredients are certain kinds of mushrooms like Maitake, Reishi and enoki because they are rich sources of natural antibiotics that combat bacteria and viruses, according to Paul Stamet's article in HerbalGram titled Novel Antimicrobials from Mushrooms. "Since humans and fungi share common microbial antagonists like E.coli and Staph infection, humans can benefit from the natural defensive strategies of fungi that produce antibiotics to fight the infection," Stamets said.
Tips & Warnings
People with blood-clotting disorders should consult their doctor before using garlic medicinally.
Garlic may cause a burning sensation in the mouth. If garlic enters the milk of nursing mothers, it may cause colic in the infant.
Do not ingest eucalyptus.
When using thyme, use the plant and not the oil, which can be toxic and cause headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and heart and respiratory depression. People with thyroid conditions should consult their doctor before using thyme medicinally. May cause rash to some people who are sensitive to thyme.
Mushrooms should be cooked because some have a high toxic level when raw.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2133258_natural-ingredients-cure-common-cold.html
Each year, especially when winter rolls around, there's no hiding from them. They're floating in the air, lingering on
phones
and door knobs, and clinging to computer keyboards. They're even lurking on the fingers of the new neighbor's hand you just shook. Once they have struck, each victim can count on a runny nose, harsh cough, sore throat and other miserable ailments. The culprits of this misery are rhinoviruses and they're the cause of the common cold, which is the most common acute illnesses in the U.S. and the Western world, according to Ray Sahelian, medical doctor and author of "The Common Cold Cure." Luckily, there are several natural ingredients to vanquish these vile viruses.
Things You'll Need:
Garlic
Eucalyptus oil
Ginger root
Thyme
Exotic mushrooms
1
Garlic is a powerful seasoning agent in the kitchen, but it's just as powerful in the medicinal world, too. "The best home remedy I have found for colds is to eat several cloves of raw garlic at the first onset of symptoms," said Andrew Weil, medical doctor and director of the Program in Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona. Raw garlic is an effective antibiotic, especially active against fungal infections. Weil said that "garlic loses its antibiotic properties when you cook or dry it, and commercial garlic capsules do not preserve the full activity of the fresh bulb." He suggested chopping it up into fine pieces and mixing it with food, or swallowing pieces like pills.
2
A second natural cold alternative is eucalyptus oil. Weil said that eucalyptus is a "natural antibacterial agent," and it brings relief to respiratory problems including chest congestion, bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat and laryngitis. The aromatic oils will help stop bacterial growth and reduce the risk of getting secondary infections, Weil said. Add a handful of eucalyptus leaves or a teaspoon of essential oil to boiling water and for a steam inhalation.
3
Another herb with a natural anti-inflammatory agent is ginger root. Because of it's anti-inflammatory, anti-nauseant and warming qualities, ginger is soothing for bronchial congestion, according to Weil. "Ginger root tea helps relieve head and chest congestion while staving off chills," Weil said.
4
Another cold-busting herb is thyme. "Thyme tea, with or without a spoonful of honey, is an excellent home remedy for colds, sinus congestion, sore throat and tonsillitis," said Andrew Chevallier, former president of National Institute of Medical Herbalists and author of the Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. He said the tea should be gargled then swallowed to disinfect the air passages, relieve coughing and stimulate the clearance of phlegm.
5
Ultimate immune-boosting ingredients are certain kinds of mushrooms like Maitake, Reishi and enoki because they are rich sources of natural antibiotics that combat bacteria and viruses, according to Paul Stamet's article in HerbalGram titled Novel Antimicrobials from Mushrooms. "Since humans and fungi share common microbial antagonists like E.coli and Staph infection, humans can benefit from the natural defensive strategies of fungi that produce antibiotics to fight the infection," Stamets said.
Tips & Warnings
People with blood-clotting disorders should consult their doctor before using garlic medicinally.
Garlic may cause a burning sensation in the mouth. If garlic enters the milk of nursing mothers, it may cause colic in the infant.
Do not ingest eucalyptus.
When using thyme, use the plant and not the oil, which can be toxic and cause headache, nausea, vomiting, weakness, and heart and respiratory depression. People with thyroid conditions should consult their doctor before using thyme medicinally. May cause rash to some people who are sensitive to thyme.
Mushrooms should be cooked because some have a high toxic level when raw.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2133258_natural-ingredients-cure-common-cold.html
