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| Article © Debs Cook Image by Bob |
Winter is just around the corner so now is a good time to look at what you can do to help prevent a cold, or help send it packing as quickly as possible when you or your family succumb to those miserable coughs and sneezes which often strike during the colder months of the year. We often hear that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, so today we look at what a cold is, the symptoms, and how you can use herbs to help ease the symptoms of a cold. Of course it goes without saying that id you do catch a cold, you should ensure that you drink plenty of fluids, keep warm and get lots of rest. Try not to overdo it, and if your symptoms persist or get worse consult your GP.
What is a Cold?
The common cold is an infectious disease affecting the upper respiratory system, which includes the nose, throat, bronchia and the lungs. When your body is under stress for whatever reason, it may not act as it normally does by trapping the viruses before they do damage, dry atmospheres such as those caused by central heating systems, and not getting enough fresh air can also aid the cold virus to take root. Dry atmospheres cause the mucus membranes of the nose to become swollen making ideal ‘plump cushions’ of tissue for the cold virus to rest upon, get itself comfy and breed.
When the respiratory system cannot eliminate the cold virus at source, it quickly takes over causing cell damage, inflammation and various other symptoms of a cold.
A cold can last 7-10 days in duration, in some people the symptoms work in a cycle, starting with watery eyes, sneezing and a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, with nasal congestion hot on its heels. Other symptoms include aching or weak muscles, fatigue, headache, shivering and sometimes a loss of appetite. Once the body is under attack from all these symptoms, it can then become vulnerable to secondary infections including bronchitis and sinusitis. In order to rid itself of the cold virus, the body produces more mucus to help trap and ‘flush’ the cold out, but often this mucus can become dry and nasal passages can become blocked and leave the sufferer with that classic ‘stuffy head’ feeling, often a cough will develop at this stage.
A cough is the body’s way of clearing the bronchial airways; they can be divided into two types which require different treatments. Loose, phlegmy and moist coughs are known as ‘productive’ and require remedies that will help the body rid itself of the mucus. Dry, tickly coughs are known as ‘non-productive’, and have no mucus to expel; dry coughs require the chest to be soothed of inflammation.
Help Yourself
Unwittingly we can assist cold viruses to breed at this time of year by eating rich food, drinking more alcohol than usual when we socialise, and even by using central heating systems. Rich, sugary foods as well as alcohol can weaken the immune system and some foods such as milk and cheese can even encourage the body to form mucus. Hot dry air, courtesy of our centrally heated rooms can create a breeding ground for germs and viruses, so regularly give rooms a blast of cold fresh air by opening the windows, or get out for a walk in the fresh air as often as you can. If getting out isn’t possible, use a diffuser adding bug busting essential oils like eucalyptus and peppermint, or compliment the season and use antibacterial cinnamon oil, with some antiviral ginger oil.
There are a variety of cold soothing home remedies you can make yourself using herbs that may help you get through the cold and flu season. Hot honey and lemon drinks are easy to make and are soothing to the throat, the lemon helps boost your vitamin C levels.
Elderberries have been used for their immune boosting, antiviral and expectorant for centuries. They have been used to make a soothing winter drink known as Elderberry Rob, and are rich in vitamins A and C. They can also be used to make a soothing elixir that can help at the first sign of a cold or flu, you can read more about Elderberries here.
Adding garlic to the diet when suffering from a cold can be beneficial it’s antibacterial and antiviral. Chillies and cayenne pepper are decongestant and expectorant and they can have a warming effect on the body.
Next week I will share 2 of my favourite 'Go To' winter cold remedies, classic cold and flu tea and my favourite homemade vapour rub. Whilst you wait check out some of my previous articles Five Useful Herbs for Winter and Herbs for making Winter Teas.
