How to Fight a Cold the Right Way

There are a lot of cold remedies, books on cold relief and plenty of cold fighting advice out there. Is it all right, or are there some basic rules for getting rid of your cold? Actually, there are a few. There may not be a cure yet, but you can be more comfortable and prevent secondary infections if you follow a few simple rules.

1) Cover that cough: This is actually more for the people around you. Rhinoviruses are spread via droplets that can be expelled by coughing or sneezing. As a youngster, you were probably taught to cover your mouth with your hand, but new guidelines suggest coughing into your elbow is safer. We touch a lot of things with our hands and we could spread the virus everywhere.

2) Echinacea, or not?: Taking echinacea when you are exposed or when you first notice symptoms may help boost your immune system and either prevent or shorten the duration of a cold. You can take it up to ten days, but you should not take it on a regular basis. If you have an autoimmune disorder or take immunosuppressant medications, don't take this herb as it could cause some serious side effects.

3) Feed a cold?: Sort of, I guess. What you eat when you are ill can have an impact on the longevity of the illness. It is best to eat easily digestible foods and avoid things that are rich or fat filled. If these foods are high in fluids, so much the better.

4) Hand sanitizer: I don't recommend constant use of this product, but there are times when it could come in handy. As an example, if you are around someone who is ill, a quick spurt of the gel could help keep you from catching it. The same holds true for things that a lot of people touch such as public door handles and shopping carts.

5) Lots of fluids: While it may not quite wash it out of your system, studies indicate that consuming larger amounts of fluids when ill can help relieve some symptoms and help you get over it faster. Orange juice and chicken soup are great for this purpose and may provide healing attributes of their own.

6) Lots of rest: "Toughing it out" is not going to help you get well faster and it could lead to a secondary infection. It could also lead to everyone around you catching what you have. Resting at home is better for everyone.

7) Wash your hands: Even though the Swine flu outbreak is officially over, the hand washing routine should not be discontinued. Frequent hand washing can help ward off colds, flu and other illnesses.

8) Zinc and C: Studies are mixed on whether or not Vitamin C will help you get well faster, but it couldn't hurt if you follow package directions. New studies do seem to indicate that zinc will be beneficial. Again, follow package instructions. Too much zinc can be toxic.

These rules may help you get through cold and flu season with fewer illnesses and make you comfortable while you are dealing with it. If your symptoms are severe or you suddenly feel worse, go to the doctor immediately. This could be a sign that you are not dealing with "just a cold." Many serious illnesses start out with symptoms similar to a bad cold.

My eBook the Complete Guide to Complementary Remedies, has information from all of my mini books, plus much more. Topics include:

Sprains: Page 33
Colds and Flu: Page 59
Herbs for Male Health: Page 72
Women's Issues Page 83

Our site has information on many topics and my five eBooks about herbal remedies. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. It details ten popular herbs, their uses, side effects, precautions and drug interactions. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me: mary@healing-home-remedies.com