At the grocery store on Saturday night, I was picking out some herbal tea when I spotted this tea. According to the box, consuming this tea can prevent a cold and shorten the duration if you already have one. This same company makes the Mother's Milk tea, which encourages healthy lactation, and since I had fantastic results with the Mother's Milk, I thought I'd give this one a try.
Four cups of tea later, I am feeling a tiny bit better. I'm still feeling quite ill, but the congestion on my chest seems to have broken up and I'm no longer picturing that blob of slime from the Mucinex commercials sitting in his Barcalounger in my chest.
Anyway, since many over the counter cold remedies have side effects I can't handle, and because cold remedies for kids have all been pulled from the shelves, I did some more research on natural ways to treat a cold, and here is what I found:
Echinacea: This herb is the main ingredients in the aforementioned tea, and is also present in the vitamin and herb supplement Airborne. Although the efficacy of echinacea is debated in the medical community, herbalists swear by its ability to prevent and treat viruses. If you're looking for a supplement, the leaves, flowers and shoots of echinacea purpurae have been studied the most.
Zinc: Zinc is the main ingredient in the product Cold-Ease, and it's efficacy is also debated. From what I read online, doctors are okay with patients taking zinc to prevent or shorten a cold, but do not recommend longterm use, because too much zinc can result in a copper deficiency.
Garlic: Garlic contains the antibacterial and antifungal compound allicin, and has been long used as a home remedy for colds. Garlic is a natural blood thinner, so it should be avoided by anyone taking anticoagulants, and should not be taken in pill form by pregnant women. My favorite way to take garlic? Cook with it! (And then please pass the Scope.)
Vitamin C: Prevention magazine just listed Vitamin C as an approved home remedy. While the vitamin won't keep you from getting sick, it will reduce your symptoms and duration. You can take a supplement or drink a glass of orange juice. Vitamin C in excess of 2000mg per day can cause diarrhea, bloating and gas.
Honey: Honey is believed to have antibacterial effects. All I know is that when I squeezed a glob into my mouth a couple of days ago, my sore, scratchy throat felt a lot better. I sometimes sweeten my tea with it. Babies under one year should not have honey, and don't give it right before bedtime unless you want rotten teeth.
Ginger root: Ginger tea is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a remedy for coughs and colds. You can get your dose by adding ground ginger root to a stir-fry.
Eucalyptus Oil: This is one of the main ingredients in Vicks, and it is thought to thin mucous in the respiratory tract. It's also my number one treatment for chest and head congestion. Vicks makes a formula for babies with a milder scent, and I believe there is a cream available as well.
Create your own steam room: This remedy is great for babies. Close the door to the bathroom and let the shower run on hot. Sit for ten to fifteen minutes. You can then use a bulb syringe on younger babies or have an older child blow their nose. Vicks makes shower tabs that dissolve and create vapors that are soothing.
Saline Nasal Drops: I used this method when I had pregnancy-induced sinusitis and it does help. Unfortunately, the effects don't last nearly long enough. Place two to three drops of nasal saline in each nostril and wait five minutes. Then blow, or suction the nose of a baby.
Elevate Your Head When You Sleep: This one sounds like a no-brainer, but I normally sleep with only one pillow. Adding an extra made a huge difference in how difficult it was to breathe.
Apply Hot Or Cold Compresses To Your Sinuses: Microwave a damp washcloth for a minute (test it before you put it on your face) or use a bag of frozen peas.
As always, please remember that I am not a doctor, nurse or herbalist and you should always check with your doctor before taking supplements, particularly if you already take other medications.
Four cups of tea later, I am feeling a tiny bit better. I'm still feeling quite ill, but the congestion on my chest seems to have broken up and I'm no longer picturing that blob of slime from the Mucinex commercials sitting in his Barcalounger in my chest.
Anyway, since many over the counter cold remedies have side effects I can't handle, and because cold remedies for kids have all been pulled from the shelves, I did some more research on natural ways to treat a cold, and here is what I found:
Echinacea: This herb is the main ingredients in the aforementioned tea, and is also present in the vitamin and herb supplement Airborne. Although the efficacy of echinacea is debated in the medical community, herbalists swear by its ability to prevent and treat viruses. If you're looking for a supplement, the leaves, flowers and shoots of echinacea purpurae have been studied the most.
Zinc: Zinc is the main ingredient in the product Cold-Ease, and it's efficacy is also debated. From what I read online, doctors are okay with patients taking zinc to prevent or shorten a cold, but do not recommend longterm use, because too much zinc can result in a copper deficiency.
Garlic: Garlic contains the antibacterial and antifungal compound allicin, and has been long used as a home remedy for colds. Garlic is a natural blood thinner, so it should be avoided by anyone taking anticoagulants, and should not be taken in pill form by pregnant women. My favorite way to take garlic? Cook with it! (And then please pass the Scope.)
Vitamin C: Prevention magazine just listed Vitamin C as an approved home remedy. While the vitamin won't keep you from getting sick, it will reduce your symptoms and duration. You can take a supplement or drink a glass of orange juice. Vitamin C in excess of 2000mg per day can cause diarrhea, bloating and gas.
Honey: Honey is believed to have antibacterial effects. All I know is that when I squeezed a glob into my mouth a couple of days ago, my sore, scratchy throat felt a lot better. I sometimes sweeten my tea with it. Babies under one year should not have honey, and don't give it right before bedtime unless you want rotten teeth.
Ginger root: Ginger tea is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a remedy for coughs and colds. You can get your dose by adding ground ginger root to a stir-fry.
Eucalyptus Oil: This is one of the main ingredients in Vicks, and it is thought to thin mucous in the respiratory tract. It's also my number one treatment for chest and head congestion. Vicks makes a formula for babies with a milder scent, and I believe there is a cream available as well.
Create your own steam room: This remedy is great for babies. Close the door to the bathroom and let the shower run on hot. Sit for ten to fifteen minutes. You can then use a bulb syringe on younger babies or have an older child blow their nose. Vicks makes shower tabs that dissolve and create vapors that are soothing.
Saline Nasal Drops: I used this method when I had pregnancy-induced sinusitis and it does help. Unfortunately, the effects don't last nearly long enough. Place two to three drops of nasal saline in each nostril and wait five minutes. Then blow, or suction the nose of a baby.
Elevate Your Head When You Sleep: This one sounds like a no-brainer, but I normally sleep with only one pillow. Adding an extra made a huge difference in how difficult it was to breathe.
Apply Hot Or Cold Compresses To Your Sinuses: Microwave a damp washcloth for a minute (test it before you put it on your face) or use a bag of frozen peas.
As always, please remember that I am not a doctor, nurse or herbalist and you should always check with your doctor before taking supplements, particularly if you already take other medications.
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