Treating A Cold Holistically
Did you catch a cold? It’s that time of year again where we are bound to get sick with the common cold. Stores are stocked with all kinds of medicine that can help make the symptoms of a cold less severe. Although these medicines can assist in treating a cold, they also fill your body with medicine which not everybody wants. Humans have been treating themselves with substances found in nature for centuries. A lot of these holistic remedies can not only treat the symptoms of a cold but also assist your immune system in fighting a cold.
Holistic Medicine
There are many plants and substances out there that have been used as holistic medicine for thousands of years. In fact, many modern day medicines are derived from the chemicals within these plants and substances. Let’s take a look at some of the plants & substances out there that can benefit you while you are in the midst of a cold.
Garlic
We all know that garlic is that stinky bulb that enhances our pasta sauces, breads, and marinades. Did you know that garlic can also help fight a cold? Garlic is a powerful antioxidant loaded with vitamin C, selenium, sulfur, enzymes, and minerals. This provides garlic with its antiviral & antibacterial properties that help your immune system fight a cold. Include more garlic in your diet to help prevent a cold and taking a garlic supplement while sick may help your immune system fight a cold faster. You can even get a shot of juiced garlic at most juice bars for a quick, powerful shot of garlic into your system.
Ginger
This tasty root is often used in cooking to provide a sweet flavor to our food. At the same time, this root can provide health benefits to our bodies. Ginger is full of volatile oil and pungent phenol compounds. These oils and compounds will help soothe a sore throat, nausea, congestion, as well as support the immune system in fighting a cold. Adding more ginger to your diet can help as well as drinking ginger tea (just add freshly grated ginger). Like garlic shots, a lot of juice bars also provide ginger shots.
Elderberries
If you haven’t had fruit from an elderberry tree, you are missing out as elderberries are delicious. The fruit is also a powerful antioxidant that has anti-inflammatory properties. Elderberries are high in both vitamin C and fiber which support the immune system (as well as help many other ailments). Studies have shown that eating elderberries can reduce the amount of time you are sick. Next time you feel a cold coming on, try an elderberry juice or tea to give your immune system a boost.
Wheatgrass Juice
Many of you will know that wheatgrass is a superfood. It is also a living food that can provide many positive health effects on the body. Wheatgrass juice is packed full of many nutrients such as calcium, iron, magnesium, enzymes, amino acids, phytonutrients, & chlorophyll as well as vitamins A, C, E, K, and B Complex. These nutrients support the immune system in warding off illnesses and diseases. Wheatgrass juice is commonly found at most juice bars and a 1-2 ounce shot a day may help you get over a cold faster and even help prevent it.
Epsom Salt
A good detoxifier of the body is Epsom salt. Studies have shown that due to the magnesium content, Epsom salt is good at pulling impurities out of the body as well as providing relaxation to the body. Please keep in mind that you do not ingest Epsom salt. For best use, draw a warm bath and add Epsom salt to the bath. Then relax and allow the salt to do the work. The impurities that the salt pulls out of the body can include the cause of the cold and help you to recover more quickly. Epsom salt can be easily found at most grocery stores.
Frankincense And Myrrh
These two essential oils have been used since the times of ancient Babylonians to fight off illnesses. Frankincense is full of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal properties. Myrrh is a medicine derived from the bark of a tree to treat swelling, inflammation, and illnesses. When properly used, both of these essential oils are good at killing off bacteria that can harm the body and Frankincense can also help relieve congestion and fever. Both of these substances can be found at your local co-op or where essential oils are sold.
Vitamin C
This may seem like common knowledge but vitamin C is excellent for treating a cold. This vitamin specifically assists the immune system in its function of producing antibodies that will fight off viral and bacterial invaders. This vitamin is found in citrus fruits, bell peppers, elderberries, and more. If you are sick or want to help prevent sickness, increase your consumption of foods that are high in vitamin C.
Holistic Medicine To Stay Healthy This Cold Season
Getting a cold is inevitable. But eating the right foods and being able to reduce the amount of exposure you have to viruses and bacterias will help you not to get sick. If you do get sick, HealthCARE Express is here to assist you in recovering. Our urgent care team is here to help identify what is ailing you and provide the right plan for recovery. To find one of our urgent care centers near you, visit our locations page. Please stay healthy and safe during this cold season.
