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©OxySolution.com
Copyright © 2016 SuccessVantage Group Pte Limited All rights reserved. Published by Kevin Richardson Notes to the Reader: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded, scanned, or otherwise, except as permitted under U.S copyright law, without the prior written permission of the author. The statements found within the pages of this book have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. If a product or treatment is recommended in these pages, it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information contained herein is meant to be used to educate the reader and is in no way intended to provide individual medical advice. The publisher and the contributors are not engaged in rendering medical advice. All information contained in this book is received from sources believed to be accurate, but no guarantee, express or implied, can be made. Readers are encouraged to verify for themselves, and to their own satisfaction, the accuracy of all information, recommendations, conclusions, comments, opinions or anything else contained within these pages before making any kind of decisions based upon what they have read herein. The author of this e-book is not a licensed practitioner of medicine; therefore, the techniques, ideas, and opinions here are not intended as a substitute for proper medical advice! The information provided here is solely for informational purposes only. If medical advice or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. The author does not accept any responsibility for any liabilities resulting from any health decisions made by purchasers of this book. The words contained in this text which are believed to be trademarked, service marked, or to otherwise hold proprietary rights have been designated as such by the use of initial capitalization. Inclusion, exclusion, or definition of a word or term is not intended to affect, or to express judgment upon the validity of legal status of any proprietary right which may be claimed for a specific word or term. Individual results may vary.
©OxySolution.com
Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 4
The Challenges of Treating the Common Cold or Flu ............................................................................ 8
How Infection Begins............................................................................................................................... 11
The Best Preventative is Cleanliness ...................................................................................................... 13
14 Simple and Natural Steps To Relief.................................................................................................... 17
Water Makes It Better ............................................................................................................................ 22
An Age Old Remedy Gets New Respect................................................................................................. 23
Vitamin C.................................................................................................................................................. 25
Zinc ........................................................................................................................................................... 27
Ginger...................................................................................................................................................... 29
Garlic ........................................................................................................................................................ 31
Cayenne Pepper ...................................................................................................................................... 33
Yarrow .................................................................................................................................................... 34
Elderberry ................................................................................................................................................35
Cinnamon ................................................................................................................................................ 36
West Indian Punch .................................................................................................................................. 37
Yogurt ..................................................................................................................................................... 38
Echinacea ................................................................................................................................................ 40
Marshmallow Root ................................................................................................................................ 42
Immune-Boosting Aromatic Oils ........................................................................................................... 43
Homeopathic Options............................................................................................................................ 46
Lifestyle Changes Can Protect You from Colds and Flu ....................................................................... 49
Vaccinations .............................................................................................................................................53
The Questionable Value of Milk ............................................................................................................ 55
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 57
©OxySolution.com
Introduction Colds and flu are without a doubt, the most frequently occurring
illnesses – all over the world. These pesky irritants affect virtually
everyone at some point in their lives. And if there was one thing
almost everyone would agree on, it would be that colds and flu are
no fun at all. They leave you feeling weakened, weary and older
than you felt when you were much healthier just a few days earlier.
Although not as serious as a life-threatening affliction, a
troublesome cold or flu can beat you down and leave you feeling
completely helpless.
But perhaps what's most hocking about these nuisance illnesses is the frequency with which they
return on average and seriously interrupt lives – often without any apparent warning. By most
estimates, young children are the most vulnerable, averaging six to ten colds in a single year. For
adults, the numbers range from two to four bouts every 365 days. More than ninety million people
in the United States alone are saddled with a cold or flu each year and as you can see, many of
them contact these viruses more than once a year. You probably know someone quite well who
always seems to be sick with one condition or another. Hopefully that person isn't you. But if you
are the one, you can rest assured that with the following information, things are about to change
for you in a positive way.
Both colds and flu are upper respiratory infections. Each routinely impacts the lining of the nose,
throat, sinuses and bronchial passages. Infection spreads rapidly and can become more than the
body's natural defences can handle. Usually there are other mitigating factors at play – factors like
extra stress in our lives, poor diet, or an overload of work that leaves us less rested and less
protected, leaving is vulnerable to whatever virus lurks, impervious to the senses.
©OxySolution.com
In the case of influenza, infection may also affect the lungs. In normal circumstances, with an
otherwise healthy body, most cold and flu symptoms subside within about two weeks.
But there are many things you can do, as you are about to discover that can slash recover time by
seventy-five percent or more, whenever you or someone close to you contracts the common cold
or flu.
Though they are completely different types of infections, there are some striking similarities
between colds and flu including the following:
Both could be described as respiratory tract infections
Both are contagious and caused by viruses
Both can vary widely in duration and intensity of discomfort
Both make you feel miserable and wanting only to head straight back to bed
The biggest difference between colds and flu is that colds are mostly minor inconveniences
(though they feel anything but minor at times) while the flu is a much more serious condition that
can actually be fatal. More than twenty thousand deaths each year in North America are
reportedly attributed to the flu.
That's a huge number and one that I suspect most people are not aware of. While the flu takes
root in the same locations as a cold – the nose, mouth, throat, sinuses and head – it can also settle
in the lungs and cause pneumonia – a serious condition that needs to be addressed by a medical
doctor. When you're young, vibrant and strong, your body is better equipped to fight off these
infections and are seen as more of an inconvenience than an illness. But for those not so blessed,
contracting the flu can be a serious issue that places them in harm’s way.
What happens with colds and flu is that somewhere along the line, we come into contact with a
virus. But the problem is that usually, we have no idea where the infection comes from. Someone
who was already infected sneezes or coughs and when they do, they spread virus-bearing mucous
and saliva into the environment. Often it's only a microscopic droplet of the infection that gets
expelled – but until it dries out completely, that droplet can easily infect somebody else.
©OxySolution.com
For this invisible virus to penetrate and do its damage, it must first find its way to the nose, which
is always open and unguarded. This is the turning point where infection begins to quickly take
over, though we are still completely in the dark and have no clue about what is going to happen.
Once this virus comes into contact with the nasal cells, it rapidly begins to multiply itself, inflicting
its damage and quickly spreading in the first twelve to twenty-four hours. At this time, you may
not even notice the extra sneezing or the slightly runny nose – or you might simply pass it off as
being nothing of significance. But that's where you would be making the biggest mistake – an
error that could result in a couple of weeks – or more – of pure misery.
It's the very first sign of illness that you need to condition yourself to become more aware of and
responsive to, in order to defeat the invading forces before they stake their claim and settle in the
body.
Most of the remedies mentioned in this report are more effective when taken early in the process
– before much damage can be done. That's why it's so important to pay attention to the sneezes
and sniffles, the extra facial tissues you're going though, the slightly dry mouth, scratchy or
irritated throat, or the mild congestion of your sinuses.
Before thinking that it's “nothing” or simply “dust in the air” or “allergies”, it's important that you
stop and take preventative action. The sooner you do, the greater the likelihood of staving off the
invading army and maintaining your health and active lifestyle, instead of being laid up and
temporarily out of commission.
Currently, there are more than two hundred known viruses that cause the
common cold. That's why there’s no “one size fits all” solution.
Remarkably, that number will only continue to grow because these
viruses are constantly changing their genetic structure. What emerges is a
new form of the virus, one that the body's one best defence – the
immune system – doesn't recognize. T's the same thing with the flu.
©OxySolution.com
These viruses are constantly morphing into newer, more potent strains, making any kind of
artificial immunization of questionable value. Even manufacturers are forced to play the guessing
game, having no real idea which mutation will emerge during the next flu season, making the
creation of their vaccines a challenging and often futile exercise.
©OxySolution.com
The Challenges of Treating the Common Cold or Flu
In addition to paying attention to those seemingly
insignificant symptoms when they first appear, it's also
important to isolate what it is that you've come down with as
soon as possible. First things first... so before you can
properly address any issue – health or otherwise – you must
first clearly identify what the problem is.
But you should know that if it's a cold you're suffering from, there's precious little any doctor can
do for you except prescribe symptom-easing medications
For example, often the one thing that most notably distinguishes the flu from the common cold is
the presence of a fever. You can have similar symptoms like a sore throat, frequent sneezing, or
congestion, but whenever it's accompanied by a fever, it may be sign of flu, instead of a cold.
Similarly, your sniffles may actually be seasonal allergies and nothing more. It can all spell misery
for you, but realizing that they are separate health issues helps you to address the problem
accurately and effectively.
The following summary will help you to narrow it down, though it's still a good idea to get an
accurate diagnosis for a medical professional if you have any doubt whatsoever.
Colds
Usual symptoms of a cold include: sneezing, sore throat, runny nose, and sometimes a headache
too. Occasionally, a cold may also include a fever. But it's very rare with just a cold to experience
muscle aches, dizziness, tiredness, dry cough or a hoarse voice. When these symptoms appear, it
may very well be something more than the common cold. A cough, sore throat, sneezing,
congestion, listlessness and sometimes fever are likely symptoms of the common cold.
©OxySolution.com
Flu
Typical symptoms experienced by someone suffering from the flu often include a fever, headache,
muscle aches, a feeling of being tired and weak, sore throat, dry cough, dizziness and a hoarse
voice.
Occasionally, a runny nose is another flu symptom, but sneezing is definitely not.
When you have the chills, feel fatigued, have an aching body, cough, congestion, headache and
possibly vomiting or diarrhea – it could be a case of the flu.
For the very young and the elderly, contacting the flu can be serious – even fatal. So you don't
want to mess around in these cases. Similarly, anyone of any age suffering from heart disease,
diabetes, kidney disease or even asthma is at greater risk and requires medical supervision.
Both colds and flu and highly-contagious and are easily spread through secretions expelled from
the nose or mouth through sneezing or coughing. All it takes is a microscopic droplet dispersed
into the air to trigger an infection in another person.
About one quarter or so of all flu cases turn out to be fairly mild in nature. So although they have
been identified as an influenza virus, in these mild cases, symptoms are no more severe than are
the symptoms of a cold. But most of the times, flu symptoms are harsher than the average cold
symptoms, though degrees of discomfort can vary widely.
Allergies Allergies are another common cause of some of the things that may at first appear to be cold
symptoms. For example, a runny nose and sneezing are common symptoms among allergy
sufferers. Those with allergies may also experience headaches or a dry cough. It's rare for an
allergy to trigger any dizziness – although it can happen. But allergies alone never trigger a fever,
sore throat, hoarse voice, muscle aches, or an overall feeling of tiredness or weakness.
©OxySolution.com
To avoid colds and flu, stay away from those who are infected. Unfortunately, this only helps when
you know who is sick in a given situation or environment.
Another challenge in combating a cold is that your body is in a compromised state. When you're
sick with a cold, not only do you feel worn out and weak – you are in more ways than one. Much of
the body's resources and energy is directed towards fighting off the virus. This leaves your
immune system less capable of protecting you from other invaders. This ultimately leaves you at a
disadvantage and therefore much more likely to develop a more serious condition like sinus
infection, bronchitis, or pneumonia.
©OxySolution.com
How Infection Begins
The truth is that there is really only one way to catch a cold.
You can only become infected from someone else who is
already infected. It's not a matter of dressing warmly and
drinking plenty of orange juice. When you come into contact
with an infected person, you risk become infected too.
Cold viruses are easily passed in one of three ways: 1. Hand to hand... 2. Through the air and... 3. by
touching contaminated surfaces.
Most colds spread by hand contact. A simple handshake can be enough to plant the seed of
infection. It goes from one's hand to another's. Then that hand touches the nose or rubs the eyes
and the virus quickly settles in. You can also catch a cold by breathing in a tiny droplet of infection
someone spewed when they coughed or sneezed.
Even those sneezing away from others may be inadvertently passing the virus when it penetrates
the tissue and lands on the hands. But the runaway leader in spreading the cold virus has got to be
contaminated surfaces that get touched by the hands and then spread to the eyes or nasal
passage without the victim even noticing.
Germs are everywhere – in the air, in the water, and most notably as far as viral infections are
concerned – on virtually every surface in the world we are exposed to. And it's germs that trigger
those nasty viral infections that can take you out of the game for days or weeks, forcing you to lay
low until the body can work its magic, purge the toxins and perform a natural healing.
Think about all the surfaces you come into contact with on a daily basis. Anything that is shared is
a potential transmission zone and no matter what you do, unless you live alone in a cave and never
come out – exposure is a very real threat.
©OxySolution.com
Some potentially problematic surfaces include ATM's and other transactional terminals, pay
phones, counters and doors in public washrooms, menus in restaurants, public pens or styluses
used by courier drivers, in banks and at lottery kiosks, armrests on chairs in hospitals and other
waiting areas, handrails on stairs and escalators, elevator buttons, switches of all kinds, grocery
store freezer handles and shopping carts and baskets.
Now that you know where most colds come from, you can make a more diligent effort to avoid
them or otherwise protect yourself whenever and wherever you can. Minimizing your exposure to
germs makes you much less vulnerable to picking up an annoying bug of some kind or another.
Be aware that the cold virus can exist on any surface for up to seventy-two hours. This means that
even the slightest, invisible microbe that is spread by a sneeze, cough or touch can make anyone
else sick who comes in contact with it for up to three full days. It should be noted however, that a
cold is most contagious as soon as symptoms first appear and for the next three days. So
someone with a cough two weeks later would probably not still be infectious and capable of
spreading something that can make others ill too.
Often there's a lapse in time between the moment a microbe enters the body and when the
natural protective services – the immune system – can successfully kill it off. When the body is
otherwise healthy and well, the immune system is better equipped to do its job. But when it gets
overwhelmed, that's when infections seize the opportunity and take root. Also, the time between
when a germ makes its appearance and the body kills off the invader – the damage is inflicted by
the killing of healthy cells and the spreading of harmful toxins.
More toxins are produced as the germs multiply, continuing to wreck havoc inside the body. These
pesky germs are responsible for igniting the dreaded symptoms like sore throat and runny nose.
Even after the body has stopped the invading germs in their tracks, it still takes time to recover
back to a normal state of wellness and that means that the symptoms still persist, even though the
source of the problem has been corralled.
©OxySolution.com
The Best Preventative is Cleanliness
Avoidance would be your best strategy – if it was at all possible.
But since invasive viruses don't show up as colored warning signs,
you're going to be exposed to some degree. Of course it's best to
minimize any exposure by avoiding trouble zone altogether if you
can. Since it's easy to get infected by simply using a vending
machine in the cafeteria or passing an envelope to a receptionist,
the next best thing you can do to protect yourself is to wash your
hands.
You can't be too careful these days so one of the very best preventative strategies is to wash your
hands thoroughly and often. Don't simply rinse for a second or two – use soap and warm water
and really scrub. A thorough hand washing gets rid of any viruses before they have a chance to get
transferred from your hands to your nose or eyes. Think of a surgeon scrubbing between their
fingers and under the nails before doing their work. Maybe you don't have to be that complete,
but you should at least ensure that all areas are lathered-up, rinsed under warm water and gently
dried.
Sure, washing your hands may not always be convenient or accessible. That's why I heartily
recommend carrying in your pocket or purse a small bottle of anti-bacterial soap. With this
product, you don't need a sink or running water. Just dab some of the solution onto your hands
and scrub vigorously until the hands are dry – and it doesn't take long at all – maybe just thirty
seconds to a minute will do the trick and protect you from infection. You will really appreciate
having a supply of antibacterial soap in your coat pocket after refueling your car and handling the
usually dirty gas pump nozzle.
©OxySolution.com
In your home and office, it's important to regularly clean and disinfect door knobs, telephones,
switches and appliances that are shared. Creating a disinfectant cleaning solution is easy. Just
combine one part bleach and nine parts of water. Doing this just once or twice a week can make a
huge difference in helping to keep yourself and everyone around you healthy and infection-free.
Monitor your results and you may be astounded at how this one strategy can slash the number of
cases of colds and flu in your home and work environments.
Kids very often touch everything in sight. Even if they can't
reach it... they will try and find a way. Then they rub their
eyes, nose or mouth, ensuring that whatever insidious
invader they've picked up in their activities has a warm,
wet environment in which to flourish – which it most
certainly will.
Kids are the champions when it comes to both picking up and spreading germs. Most are exposed
to dozens of other kids at school or daycare, so if they're not transmitting, they're probably
receiving at any given time. And adults with kids typically get sick twice as often as those without
young children. One study showed that thirty-six percent of playgrounds and forty-six percent of
the surfaces at daycare centers were contaminated with illness-causing microbes.
Not all exposure to germs has a negative result however. Kids exposed to other kids develop a
more robust immune system than those who are kept away, as in a home-schooling environment.
Just as it's potentially damaging to shield a child from emotional upset, so too is the case with
germs. But if your child is getting sick frequently, start with a determined mindset and disinfect
everything you can.
While there may not be a whole you can do when they're outside of your control, you can do your
part to keep them and everyone healthy at home. When disinfecting, don't forget the children's
toys. These can be among the most contaminated items, so be sure to give them a regular scrub-
down to make them safer.
©OxySolution.com
Freshen-up the air inside your home and office. Many North Americans spend ninety percent or
more of their time indoors. That's a whole lot of time spend in confined places where the air is of
considerably lesser quality. But there are natural and inexpensive ways to freshen and purify that
air. Indoor plants are terrific in this regard and you should aim for having about one house plant
for every 15 square feet of living space.
There are plenty of green plants that can thrive indoors, as well as flowering plants like mums, wax
begonias and gerbera daisies. The latter is especially effective in purging the air of toxic chemicals
that are released by furniture finishes, carpeting and other indoor items.
When you make a conscious effort at protecting yourself and those around you from the spread of
infectious colds and flu, you make a difference in the quality of life. While the media shares stories
and information about getting vaccinated, you'll have much more knowledge than the average
person and can then make a more informed decision about what's best for you.
The so called “flu season” hits every year and judging by some stories in the media, you might
think that missing out on a flu shot would put you at significantly greater risk. Don't be
unnecessarily alarmed. Instead, look towards the healthier preventative and therapeutic
treatments you can take.
Most importantly, avoid contact with those who are sick and in particular, stay out of their
sneezing or coughing path. Wash your hands at every opportunity and wash away those harmful
germs that you will inevitably pick up in shopping malls, restaurants, grocery stores, libraries,
recreation centers, shopping malls and any other public place you happen to visit.
Find positive ways to deal with the stress in your life. Stress is a reality – it's a given. There's really
no way to avoid all stress and still lead a happy and productive life. But when you let stress get the
best of you, you're living at a serious disadvantage with a compromised immune system. This isn't
some half-baked theory – it's a fact that has been proven through countless studies.
©OxySolution.com
Mental and emotional stress depletes the body's natural defences. But the thing to keep in mind is
that it's not the stressors in life that cause the damage – it's how you react to them that makes all
the difference. Exercise is the best antidote to feeling stress, pressure or anxiety. Get out there
and get moving around. Burn off that stress.
Then, take care of yourself by paying attention to what you eat and be sure to get lots of rest too.
If you eat fast foods and short-change yourself on sleep – you will pay a price and any times that
manifests in a bad cold or the flu. It's also a good idea to learn some basic mind control techniques
like meditation or visualization. These can be used anytime to lower stress levels and to redirect
your thinking in positive ways.
©OxySolution.com
14 Simple and Natural Steps To Relief
1. Drink more water. Many of the things that are good for you to
do at anytime, are just as helpful – if not more so – whenever
you're feeling under the weather. An obvious example is drinking
lots of water – eight to ten glasses every day. When all is well
and good and you're feeling up to par, you may prefer your eight
to ten glasses cold, perhaps with a slice of fresh lemon or lime.
But when you're down for the count with a cold or flu, as important as it is to keep drinking
plenty of water, you would probably prefer a warm beverage instead.
Green tea or chamomile tea are excellent choices and do count towards your total daily
water consumption. Black tea (orange pekoe) and coffee do not. Coffee and tea are
caffeinated and considered to be diuretic, meaning it drains the body of fluids rather than
restoring those levels. You want to drink lots of water to stay well-hydrated.
2. Give up the smokes. If you smoke, refraining from doing so while you're sick can only help
you. Smoking impedes the natural healing process and the last thing your body needs when
it has already been hammered with a busload of toxins, is more highly-toxic chemicals
floating around. Smoking causes any lung congestion to get worse by lowering the ability
of the cells of the lungs to keep the air channels clear and unobstructed. Oh, and if you can
quit for a week or two while your body heals, you can just as easily quit for good and enjoy
a longer, healthier and more vibrant life. All it takes is decision and commitment.
3. Act swiftly and decisively. As soon as you notice that something isn't quite right, that's the
time to swing into action. The challenge is that this takes time and careful attention to
master. But the more you tune into your body, thee more in touch you are when illness
strikes. When you can respond positively and decisively early in the development of the
infection – you've get the best chance of wiping it out early and not having to endure a few
weeks of suffering.
©OxySolution.com
But there's something else you need to begin doing as well
and that is to avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Just
say no. Catch yourself falling back into old habits and stop
often enough that you begin to break them. That's how it
usually happens.
It's easy to rub your nose without thinking about it. But that's all it takes for a brutal virus
to stake its claim and upset your life. Most colds and flu spread in exactly this manner.
Those warm, wet and easily accessible areas are open targets, providing an easy point of
entry and allowing the cold virus free and fast access.
4. Let nature do its thing. If you've got a runny nose – don't panic or get stressed-out about it.
Let your nose run and keep a box of facial tissues at your side. A runny nose is one of the
ways the body naturally flushes out the cold virus. Although it feels terrible and you wish it
would stop immediately – know that your body's doing exactly what it needs to do to drain
away the toxins that have temporarily taken over.
5. Use a natural solution for congestion. If your nasal passages are clogged, you are better off
avoiding most of those over the counter nasal sprays that can be highly-addictive and
dangerous to your health. Most drugstore type, chemical nasal decongestants like Afrin
and Neosynephrine are liquid medications. When sprayed into the nose, it triggers small
blood vessels in the nasal lining to constrict.
Congestion quickly decreases and near normal breathing is temporarily recovered. But
shooting drugs up your nose can easily become a dangerous addiction that causes serious
damage. Instead, look for a natural decongestant that contains cayenne pepper or
capsaicin – the key ingredient contained in cayenne that is tremendously effective in
opening up and draining clogged nasal passages.
©OxySolution.com
6. Listen to your mother. If you have a fever, often the best thing you can do is stay in bed,
drink plenty of liquids and get lots of sleep – just as your mom encouraged you to do years
ago. Liquids keep you hydrated and they loosen mucous and phlegm that causes
congestion. Fever is one way the body actually fights off illness. Obviously you must
monitor any fever closely. If it gets too high or sticks around beyond a day or two – it may
be more than a cold and you should seek medical attention.
7. Let the coughing happen. If you're coughing up mucous and phlegm, continue to let nature
take its course. Whenever you have a bout of what is often referred to as a “productive”
cough, you're allowing the body to naturally clean any excess and unwanted substances
that seem to settle into the lungs whenever one is saddled with a bad cold.
8. Drink hot liquids. Another way to help clear the lungs is to drink lots of hot fluids.
Specifically, the best drinks to consume are soup broths, herbal teas and green teas. Green
tea is a powerful health food that does the body good at any time and when you're feeling
sick, it can help soothe and nourish. Hot, broth-based soups are also helpful by providing
warm moisture that loosens any mucous, making it easier to cough and expel unwanted
substances – the by-products of a viral infection.
9. Moisturize the air around you. You can help ease breathing when the stuffiness of a head
cold becomes a problem by adding a humidifier to the bedroom. A humidifier helps keep
the throat from drying out and becoming even more irritated. Make sure you keep the door
closed to keep as much of that moist air inside the room. Taking in moist air with each
inhale helps to loosen-up any congestion. Standing in a hot shower can have the same
effect. Make it as hot as you can tolerate. Even step aside because you don't have to be in
the line of fire to get the benefits of the moist air that is generated. Simply breathing in all
that hot, steamy air will help pry loose any mucous accumulation in the lungs.
©OxySolution.com
10. Monitor your condition carefully and get help when it's needed. Pay attention to any
phlegm that is expelled through coughing. If it smells particularly harsh, or is a green or
yellowish color – it could be the sign of another condition, perhaps more serious than the
common cold. In this case, see a doctor. It's always best in this case to get an accurate
diagnosis. When you know what the condition is, you can then begin to treat it effectively.
11. Watch out for sharp pain. Another symptom you should watch for is any sharp pain in the
chest area or a shortness of breath. Chest pain may be most noticeable when you breathe
in deeply. If you notice any pain beyond the normal congestion, don't hesitate to get a
thorough medical evaluation. That's one of the big problems with colds and flu. These
common viral infections are most often seen as inconveniences and annoyances. But they
do take their toll on the body and deploy the resources of the body's natural immunity,
leaving it wide open for other more sinister illnesses to get in and inflict even more
damage.
12. Choose broths and teas over milk. For a sore throat due to a cold or flu, it's a good idea to
drink plenty of hot broth, herbal teas and green teas. Hot drinks made from water are
naturally soothing, without causing any additional build-up of mucous that can occur from
drinking milk. Another terrific sore throat easing beverage is to add a thick slice of fresh
lemon to a mug of steaming hot water, then top if with a little pure honey. Squeeze the
lemon and blend it all together and sip it slowly. It's soothing and comforting – without the
chemical ingredients found in those over the counter lemon-flavoured drinks often
recommended for sore throats from colds or flu.
13. Use throat lozenges to relieve irritation. Throat lozenges can also be quite helpful in easing
the discomfort of sore throats. Not only do they soothe irritation, they also serve to keep
the throat moist and well lubricated. Shop carefully though, as not all throat lozenges or
“cough drops” are created equal. Some are little more than candy, loaded with sugar.
Others are too mild for a severe sore throat.
©OxySolution.com
Lozenges with a menthol base tend to do the job and the most effective throat lozenge
we've ever tried is the original extra strong “Fisherman's Friend” brand. First formulated
back in 1865, these potent tablets include natural ingredients like menthol, eucalyptus oil,
licorice power and capsicum (from cayenne pepper).
14. Drink hot lemon and honey. If you normally drink any of the herbal
teas, green teas, even regular black tea (without milk) – try adding
the fresh juice of a one half of a lemon to each cup, with a good
dash of pure honey too. Stir it up and sip it down. For a raw,
scratchy throat, this traditional home remedy might be just what
you need most. Lemon is believed to stimulate the salivary glands,
helping to get more moisture into the mouth and making it easier
to swallow. Honey helps soothe the throat. It may also inhibit the
ability of bacteria to spread, allowing the body that much-needed
time to recover.
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Water Makes It Better
A hot bath can soothe an aching body and the steam that rises from
the water can help relieve any congestion. Inhaling steam helps
decongest the sinuses, throat and chest by getting the mucous
moving. This is the key to beating the symptoms of congestion
because bacteria flourish whenever the mucous gets stuck. But you
can keep it moving by breathing deeply as much as possible as you
take in the moist air from the hot water.
You can also get a similar effect by setting up a bowl or pot of freshly-boiled water on a table and
draping a towel over your head to contain the steam and inhaling. Just make sure that your face is
far enough away from the water so you don't scald yourself. To increase the decongestant effect,
add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water after it has boiled.
If you're suffering from a fever, it may be a quick shower in cold water that does you the most
good as it can help bring the fever down. You've got to stay in there long enough to lower the
body's temperature, but this can likely be accomplished in as little as thirty seconds to a minute.
The trick is to begin with water at a comfortable temperature and then gradually it. That way it
won't be such a sudden shock to the body.
Speaking of water, it's vital that you're getting enough – particularly when you're under the
weather. Even if you drink lots of fresh water when you're well, chances are that all that changes
when you're saddled with a cold or flu bug. But it's not just the drinking of water that makes it
such a valuable and versatile tool in becoming well. Breathing in steam helps ease congestion,
while gargling with cayenne pepper or salt and warm water can instantly soothe a painfully
irritated throat. The point is that water makes all these options readily available to you. All you've
got to do is use them to find relief.
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An Age Old Remedy Gets New Respect
It seems like one ancient remedy is finally being accepted as a valid
method for easing the symptoms of colds and flu. Way back in the twelfth
century, a doctor by the name of Moses Maimonides began to prescribe
chicken soup to all his patients who suffered from upper respiratory
ailments such as the common cold.
Since then, it has been passed down from generation to generation, mostly as a home-based
remedy for feeling a little better whenever a severe cold or flu takes its toll and gets the best of
you. Mothers have known it for a long time, but few in science and medicine ever took chicken
soup seriously as an effective therapy. But it would seem that the majority of people given chicken
soup when saddled with a cold felt at least somewhat better – even if they couldn't pinpoint what
it was or how they happened to feel better.
Fast-forward eight hundred years, give or take, and some folks in the medical establishment are
now recognizing the merits of chicken soup in fighting off viral infections and soothing
discomfort. What science now concedes is that there is real immune-enhancing, cold-relieving
benefits delivered when one consumes a bowl of warm chicken soup. It is believed that chicken
soup slows down the inflammatory processes that worsen the symptoms of colds.
The inflammation that typically occurs as the cold virus spreads its toxins throughout the body and
makes you feel even sicker than you were before. So anything that stifles inflammation is a
welcome thing and chicken soup is one substance that seems to do this. Chicken soup also
contains compounds like cysteine, which is similar to some compounds used in cold medicines.
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Fresh homemade soup can be tremendously healthy and is always preferred to store-bought
varieties. But when you just don't feel like cooking – and who does when they don't feel well? If
you don't have someone else to cook for you or you find yourself pinched for time and need quick
relief, commercial blends can be helpful too.
Look first in the fresh foods section and fresh, additive-free soups have recently been brought to
market. It's best if you can find a soup that's low in salt and has little or no additives. Then chop up
a few fresh garlic cloves and drop this natural wonder right into the soup. Maybe add some diced
onion too and few generous pinches of cayenne pepper. Now what you have is a whole lot of
healing power from a one pot concoction.
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Vitamin C
Vitamin C has long been recommended as an antidote for the relief
of colds and respiratory infections – and for good reason. If you're
one of those people who regularly gets sick with a cold – it could be
an indication of a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C offers a wide
variety of health benefits by strengthening the functions of the
immune system. One of the things vitamin C does is it assists in the
building and maintenance of the mucous membranes.
It has also shown to help neutralize the effects of harmful molecules in the body that diminish the
effectiveness of the immune system. Vitamin C is also required for the body to make hormones.
These hormones help the body deal with various forms of stress, while also aiding in the
conversion of toxins into water-soluble material that can be released from the body through the
urine.
Large doses of vitamin C was first advocated by Dr. Linus Pauling in Vitamin C and the Common
Cold back in the 1970's. Today, well-known alternative medicine specialist, Dr. Joseph Mercola also
suggests larger doses of vitamin C to combat colds. Others who claim that while vitamin C may fail
to prevent you from catching a cold, concede that it may relieve symptoms faster and make you
feel better.
Dr. Mercola advises five hundred to two thousand milligrams every few hours during a cold. But he
also warns that one should stop taking vitamin C if they develop loose or runny stools. It seems
that some people have a low tolerance to vitamin C and in these specific cases the nutrient
actually acts in a way that is similar to that of laxatives.
Since the body cannot store vitamin C – it needs to acquire a steady and healthy dose every single
day. It's easy to get all the vitamin C the body normally needs through fresh fruits and vegetables –
though you may want to add supplements for an added boost – particularly when you have
symptoms of a cold or flu. Consuming more vitamin C regularly usually means that you'll have
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fewer bouts of colds and flu and the systems will likely be less
severe when you do come down with a viral infection.
Terrific natural sources of vitamin C include: papaya, bell
peppers, strawberries, broccoli, pineapple, brussel sprouts,
kiwi, grapefruits, oranges, tangerines, lemons, limes,
cantaloupe and kale. You can also drink your vitamin C by
making fresh juice from any of the above foods too and when
you're sick in bed with a troublesome cold, there's just nothing better than a large glass of freshly-
squeezed orange or pineapple juice.
It may not cure the cold as some seem to think, but it can certainly boost one's own defences in
preventing colds, while helping to revitalize a depleted immune system.
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Zinc
Zinc can be an important ally in the fight against colds – not
just after a cold invades the body – but as a preventative too.
Scientists have discovered that as zinc lozenges dissolve, they
release the mineral to fight off the cold virus at the exact
location of the infection – in the mucous membranes of the
throat and mouth.
They also suspect that zinc may help ward off infections by raising the quantity and quality of T-
cells. At the same time, this key mineral helps to inhibit the replication of the cold-causing virus.
Testing was performed on one hundred patients who all demonstrated symptoms of the common
cold. Fifty of the patients were given one, twenty-five milligram zinc throat lozenges every one
hundred and twenty minutes – during waking hours. While sleeping, no additional zinc was
provided. The other half of the group were given placebo lozenges, with the same frequency and
allowed to sleep in peace. Results indicated that those who were given the zinc lozenges had
significantly less congestion, coughing and other symptoms.
Zinc can provide relief from colds faster. The length of time one suffers from coughing, sore
throats, nasal drainage and the overall feeling of being stuffed-up can be cut in half by taking zinc
lozenges. Zinc can also reduce the number of days one suffers from a hoarse voice and headache
too.
The difficulty some people experience in taking zinc tablets has to do with the unpleasant taste
and nausea that can at times occur. And zinc lozenges don't always work. Manufacturers have
been quick to jump on an opportunity by flavouring zinc lozenges with citrus fruit flavours and
enhancing them with such things as vitamin C.
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But these types of zinc products tend to be largely ineffective in relieving any cold symptoms.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons why studies involving zinc usage in combating colds is all over
the map. Some studies, like the one above clearly indicate that something is at work here in a
positive way and can help ease the pain and discomfort brought on by a cold.
The real difference seems to be in the type of zinc formulation used as a natural therapy to soothe
cold symptoms. This discovery was made by Dr. Guy Berthon. What Dr. Berthon found out was
that zinc throat lozenges showed noticeable improvement in both the severity of the cold and its
duration when zinc acetate was used in the lozenge.
Reportedly, zinc acetate releases a powerfully potent amount of positively-charged zinc ions at a
specific PH level – and this is what makes all the difference in terms of the tablet's ability to knock
out a cold. According to Dr. Berthon, the other forms of zinc – those mixed with citric acids,
vitamin C and sweeteners – may taste a whole lot better. But those blends are not nearly as
effective because they eliminate the proper zinc ionization and deliver a different PH level.
Dr. Berthon concludes that it's easy to tell which zinc lozenges may help the most and which ones
probably won't help at all and it's all in the taste. The way a lozenge feels in your mouth is what
tips you off to its effectiveness in reducing symptoms of a cold. If the right ionization exists, it will
make your mouth pucker, giving a drying effect. It's not supposed to taste like candy and if it does,
it likely won't do you much good. Recommended brands include: Cold-Eeze, Cold Season Plus, Fast
Dry and Cold-Free.
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Ginger
Ginger is a cold remedy that has been used for centuries.
Long known as a natural method to ease the symptoms
once saddled with a cold or flu, science now acknowledges
the healing powers of this life-enhancing herb. What
researchers have discovered is that ginger has the ability to
boost the immune system, fight inflammation, suppress a
cough and reduce a fewer.
Ginger also helps to relieve the chills, soothe aching muscles and ease the discomfort of nausea.
That's quite a punch – all from a root that's available year round at the grocery store. You can
consume ginger a number of different ways.
Fresh ginger is sold in the produce section. Finely diced and tossed into stir fries, sautés and
sauces, it adds flavour and nutritional value. You can also buy ginger in powdered form from the
spice section of supermarkets, or in capsules from any health food store.
Taking one half to one gram of ginger powder every hour for the first two or three days of a cold
can help stop it in its tracks, saving you days – or perhaps weeks – of potential misery. If you're
suffering from stomach flu and experiencing nausea or vomiting, take four to six ginger capsules
at the first sign of the nausea. This alone can help you to steer clear of the unpleasant symptoms
most people are forced to suffer through when coming down with the flu.
In normal immune response to invasive viruses, prostaglandins are released causing inflammation
and the associated body aches and pains that accompany colds and flu. What ginger does is it
shuts down the production of those prostaglandins. Consuming more ginger can definitely help
reduce the pain and discomfort experienced from colds and flu.
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You can also get the benefit of ginger by drinking it in tea form. Simply slice off a one-half inch
piece of peeled ginger, place it on a tea cup, fill the cup with freshly-boiled water and let it steep
for around five minutes – give or take. If you don't have any fresh ginger on hand, try combining
one teaspoon of dried ginger root with eight ounces of hot water. Slowly sip the tea and feel
nature's gift go to work in helping you to heal. You can also find commercial blends of ginger tea,
which makes getting your ginger fix fast and convenient – wherever you are. When you're feeling
worn out from a cold or flu, try to drink three to six cups every day of ginger tea.
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Garlic
Garlic is another potent, one hundred percent
natural weapon for fighting off cold viruses. Garlic
invigorates the immune system by adding natural
“killer cells” which then go out and attack and
remove the cells that have been infected by the
virus. It's the compound found in garlic – allicin –
that makes it a powerful decongestant and cold
fighter that helps loosen mucous and phlegm,
making it easier to discharge by coughing.
Garlic is antibacterial, antifungal and a natural blood thinner too. It's also an expectorant, so it
helps you cough up any stubborn bacteria that tends to stick around in the lungs when hit with a
harsh cold.
Add fresh, crushed garlic to your Caesar salad and you're getting it at its most effective stage. But
you can also add garlic to soups and stir fries and whenever you roast or sauté vegetables. Not
only is it a terrific flavour enhancer, it will help your body flush out the toxins that cause cold
symptoms. You can also find garlic in supplement form. Be sure to read the ingredients and
choose those with the highest levels of allicin. For fighting colds however, the most potent
antibacterial power comes from consuming raw garlic.
If you want to clear your head, sharpen your senses and wake up from an extended slumber,
feeling somewhat more alert and alive, try munching a whole fresh clove of garlic. Just be sure to
have a glass of water nearby as it can get quite hot. Another option is to eat garlic with natural,
unsweetened and plain yogurt or cottage cheese. It makes it easier to take than going solo with
the garlic alone. If you can eat of a few of these pungent wonders early in the life of the infection,
you stand a good chance of kicking it to the curb much faster and possibly avoiding the worst of all
symptoms.
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Garlic goes to work right away and you will notice its effect immediately. And although those
around you may have to deal with the odor that spews from your breath and skin pores, it's a
small price to pay for the natural assistance fresh garlic can deliver when you need a boost the
most. By the way, you can quickly alleviate much of the breath odor by chewing on a couple of
coffee, beans, flossing and brushing your teeth thoroughly and by sipping on green tea
afterwards. Try it if you're brave enough and you will feel the natural healing power of garlic at
work.
If you're taking any medication, be sure to check with your doctor medications can interact with
garlic – even in supplement form.
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Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper is another powerful cold and flu fighter straight
from Mother Nature. It's a natural warming agent that easily clears
the nasal passages, making breathing much easier. What makes
cayenne pepper effective as a cold fighter is the compound it's
loaded with – capsaicin.
Cayenne may help ease a fever associated with a cold of flu and lower the body temperature by
stimulating the sweat glands.
Cayenne is powerful immune system booster. It is said to relax muscles, boost circulation, increase
body heat and stimulate metabolism. Cayenne pepper also boosts the secretions of the body,
helping to flush out bacteria from the eyes, sinuses and mouth.
Look for ground cayenne pepper in the spice isle of any grocery store. Add it to your evening
meals, but be careful with the amounts you use as it is much hotter than the traditional ground
black pepper.
Another way to use cayenne is to gargle with it to relieve a sore throat. Once again, a little goes a
long way. Just take a coffee mug and sprinkle in a pinch of two of cayenne, then add warm water
and gargle for a few minutes. This will bring instant, though temporary relief. Do it once an hour
and soon your sore throat should be a thing of the past.
Another way to use cayenne pepper is to add anywhere from one eight of a teaspoon (a good
amount to start with) to one full teaspoon and place it in a coffee mug. Fill the mug with slightly-
warmed water (cool enough so can drink it down quickly) and stir. Then in one shot, drink all the
contents. Do this when you're sick and you will soon feel better. But you don't have to wait to get
the benefits of cayenne pepper. You can make this drink once or twice a day and get the full
health-inducing, cholesterol and triglyceride-lowering benefits of cayenne in your system.
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Yarrow
Yarrow is a plant from the daisy family with small white, yellow
and pink flowers. It can be used as a remedy for colds –
specifically sore throats and early fever, due to its ability to
induce sweating in the body. The flowers and leaves of the
yarrow plant contain more than one hundred biologically active
compounds. You might be able to find yarrow as a supplement,
but the most popular way to take it is in tea. Yarrow tea may be prepared by adding one to two
teaspoons of dried yarrow in a mug containing one cup of boiling water. Let it steep for ten to
fifteen minutes before drinking and shoot for three cups of this tea every day.
Another way to use yarrow is to combine it with boneset, an ancient healing and bitter-tasting
herb that has been used for more than three thousand years. Boneset was reportedly given its
name by its ability to ease “break-bone fever” or typhus – an affliction in which ones bones ache
and become itchy. Today, boneset is still a respected herbal remedy for beating a fever, though it
does so in an unusual way by first raising the body's temperature, which then triggers profuse
sweating. Often it is used in conjunction with yarrow to knock out a fever and stimulate the body's
natural immune defenses to fight off any viral or bacterial infection.
To prepare yarrow-boneset tea, combine one half teaspoon of dried yarrow with one half
teaspoon of dried boneset in about eight ounces of hot water. Let this blend steep for a full thirty
minutes to make it as potent as can be. Then, reheat the tea, making it as hot as you can tolerate
and drink it down. This tea is naturally bitter and for some reason, adding a sweetener like honey
only seems to increase the bitterness. But rest assured, if you're down in the dumps with a cold or
flu and feeling better fast is high on your list of priorities, you will want to give this combination
beverage a fair shot.
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Elderberry
Elderberry is yet another option for relieving your cold and flu
symptoms and unlike many of the remedies that have evolved over
the years, elderberry actually tastes good. Elderberry seems to
possess the power of preventing the flu virus from attaching itself to
the cells of the body, preventing it from replicating and rapidly
spreading throughout the organism.
In one test, patients given elderberry extract four times a day, recovered in just four days, as
opposed to the eight days it took those who were given the placebo instead.
Elderberry has been used for centuries in Europe where people would fend off symptoms of colds
and flu by drinking hot elderberry wine blended with lemon. These days, elderberry is often
recommended by natural herbalists as a treatment for viral infections, bronchitis, colds and flu.
Some claim that by taking elderberry, one can realistically shorten the duration of an illness by
thirty to forty percent. And like so many natural healing remedies, if you can notice the beginning
stages of a cold or flu very early one – you can wipe it out completely by taking elderberry right
away. Elderberry is available today from any health food store as an extract in syrup, tincture or
lozenge form.
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Cinnamon
You may not have heard of cinnamon as a solution to a
cold before, but it's one of those age-old home
remedies that give comfort, while it helps you beat the
common cold. It seems that there is a substance found
in cinnamon bark called cinnamaldhyde – and it's this
ingredient that kills off the bacteria that has made one
sick.
Cinnamon is also known as an anti-inflammatory food and one that can also lower a fever. To fight
off a cold, here's a simple, hot drink suggested by Dr. James Duke, author of The Green Pharmacy.
Take eight ounces of freshly-boiled water and add one full tablespoon of ground cinnamon and
two whole cloves. Allow it to steep covered for fifteen to twenty minutes. Then, add a squirt of
fresh lemon and shot of pure, natural honey to taste. Enjoy this home-brewed cinnamon tea up to
three times a day to naturally speed the healing of the body.
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West Indian Punch
Here's a unique blend of natural ingredients that has been around
for a long time in one form or another. Just look at the list of
ingredients – cayenne pepper, garlic, ginger, vinegar and lemon juice
– and you know straight away that it's going to pack quite a punch.
All those cold-fighting ingredients combined make this concoction a
force to be reckoned with.
Cayenne pepper packs heat and ginger has that special warming quality too. And both cayenne
and lemon juice act as natural astringents – making them valuable ingredients that help to clear up
any mucous. And with garlic serving as both an antifungal and antibacterial agent – you're got a
whole army ready to go to war against this nasty affliction.
Here's a recipe that Dr. Ben Kligler, medical director of the Beth-Israel Center in New York,
recommends for his own patients because of the positive results it has delivered. Blend the
following ingredients – one half cup of fresh lemon juice, one crushed clove of fresh garlic, one
teaspoon of grated fresh ginger, a pinch of cayenne pepper and two tablespoons of apple cider
vinegar. Once blended, all you have to do is get is drink it down.
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Yogurt
You may never have heard of yogurt as a cold fighter before. But
it’s a valuable food to add to your arsenal. Some folks consider
yogurt to be the ultimate health food and it's difficult to argue their
position. Of course, that only applies to all-natural, unsweetened,
low-fat yogurt.
Natural yogurt is a protein-rich, fermented dairy product that possesses greater potency and
immune-enhancing substances than pretty much any other food. What this delicious food offers
the body is live, beneficial bacteria – live bacteria that attaches itself to the mucous membrane
linings of the intestines and reproductive tract, crowding out bad, illness-causing bad bacteria that
settles in during a bout of the common cold. Some of the acids produced by the yogurt actually kill
off the bad bacteria, wiping out those toxic cells that have left you feeling miserable.
The live bacteria in yogurt – lactobacillus bulgaricus -- help protect the gastrointestinal tract but
stimulating the immune system cells, according to the American Journal of Gastroenterology. One
University of California study, a quantity of five hundred milliliters (about two cups) of fresh, all-
natural yogurt consumed daily, increased the levels of virus-fighting gamma interferon produced
by the white blood cells by a factor of four. This dramatically enhances the body's ability to stave
off colds.
When shopping for yogurt, be sure to look for natural yogurt without any sweetener like the
sugary fruit blends that go into most commercial yogurts. If you can get even a small amount of
all-natural yogurt to use as a “starter” you can make your own quite easily.
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Here's how to do it:
Take two tablespoons full of natural, plain yogurt and set it aside.
Bring three cups of fresh milk to a boil in a heavy pot.
Watch closely and as soon as the milk begins to rise, turn the heat to very low and continue
to simmer for one minute.
Next, turn off the heat and let the milk cool for exactly thirty minutes. At this point the milk
should be slightly warm to the touch.
Place the yogurt in a medium-sized ceramic mixing bowl (avoid using a metallic mixing
bowl).
After the milk has cooled for thirty minutes, begin adding it to the yogurt in the bowl – one
tablespoon at a time and vigorously whisk the milk and yogurt starter together.
After the first four to five tablespoons, you can add the milk at a faster rate.
Just keep stirring as you add more milk to the mix.
Once you've added and whisked all the milk, cover the bowl with cling wrap.
Then being careful not to tip the bowl, surround it with a thick, warm towel and place the
towel-wrapped bowl inside an unused oven and leave it for approximately eight hours until
it sets.
At this point, the yogurt should be refrigerated and it will stay fresh for at least four to five
days. You can use the last two tablespoons from this yogurt to start another batch by
repeating the process.
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Echinacea
Echinacea has been used in Europe and elsewhere for many years
to treat the symptoms of a cold or flu In Germany it is considered
standard practice to take Echinacea in relief of sore throats and
coughs from colds. Many routinely take Echinacea during the
entire cold and flu season as a preventative measure and to
strengthen their natural defences.
It appears that Echinacea does have some apparent anti-viral qualities. For any achy throat, try
mixing one quarter to one half teaspoon of Echinacea with eight ounces of water and gargling.
After gargling, drink the remainder of the solution for an even more soothing effect.
After the onset of the symptoms of respiratory tract infections, ear infections and so on appear –
taking Echinacea can help speed healing and avert the most troubling annoyances altogether
when taken early in the establishment of the infection. In some cases, the illness has been
completely reversed or wiped out in about twenty four hours.
At other times, Echinacea seemed to have little impact. Studies seem to suggest conflicting
results. So it seems that Echinacea may work better for some than others and that some people
may not any improvement at all. It's probably worth a try, but be prepared to switch to other,
seemingly more consistent natural remedies if you don't notice any positive benefits from taking
Echinacea.
Naturopathic physician, Dr. Mark Stengler offers a natural Echinacea cocktail as a healing beverage
and as a flu preventative. Add combine these ingredients – thirty drops of Echinacea, thirty drops
of stragalus, thirty drops of reishi, thirty drops of lomatium and ten drops of licorice root. Add the
mix to half a cup of warm water, blend well and drink it all up.
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If flu has hit your neighborhood, office or home – drinking this cocktail twice a day can help you
avoid contracting the flu altogether – despite its close proximity. If you've already been nailed
with the flu, drink the cocktail every two to three hours until your flu symptoms are gone.
Alternatively, Dr. Stengler suggests combining a five hundred milligram capsule of Echinacea with
one of the other cocktail ingredients, since it isn't a must that you have all four.
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Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root is yet another natural remedy for treating
sore throats and inflammation of the mucous membranes. It is
said to ease the pain and irritation of both respiratory tracts
and digestive tracts too. Some claim that marshmallow root
works better than anything else for relieving a sore throat.
Marshmallow root also helps alleviate the symptoms of
sinusitis.
For maximum results, it is recommended that you combine one teaspoon of marshmallow root
with one cup of freshly-boiled water. After leaving this highly-effective tonic steeping for about
twenty minutes, simply drink it as you would a cup of tea. Prepare this concoction as many as six
times a day until you feel noticeable relief.
Marshmallow root assists the body in the expelling of excess fluids. Since it's a rich source of
healing mucilage, marshmallow root makes an ideal natural soothing agent. It eases a dry, hacking
cough and soothes irritated mucous membranes and that's why it's one of the ingredients often
found in cough medicines.
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Immune-Boosting Aromatic Oils
You can also use essential oils to help speed the healing process when a
cold has knocked you off your feet. Numerous options exist and in this
section, we will briefly touch on those scents that are readily available in
health stores. One thing to keep in mind is that all essential oils are
provided in concentrated form – so all you need is a small amount.
Sometimes two or three drops are more than enough to get the positive
advantages of these naturally healing aromatic oils.
Cedarwood – Cedarwood oil that is primarily derived from the juniper plant and it is believed to
provide relief from coughing and other cold and flu-related symptoms. You can inhale the fumes
from this essential oil directly, or create a compress. To create a compress, combine ten drops of
oil with four ounces of water. Then soak a facecloth in the mixture and then wrap the cloth around
your head or throat area. Breathe in deeply and enjoy the scent as it helps ease the symptoms.
Avoid cedarwood oil if you're pregnant. For some people, cedarwood oil may irritate the skin, so
be on the lookout when you first apply this natural oil.
Cypress – Cypress oil is made through a distillation process that uses the cones of the cypress tree.
The scent of cypress is believed to help ease the discomfort of sore throat and other symptoms of
respiratory infections. With cypress oil, all you need to do is place several drops in a saucepan and
place it on a radiator or next to a baseboard heater and let the heated air brings out the scent of
cypress so it floods the whole room. If you suffer from high blood pressure, you should avoid
using cypress oil. Also, you should know that cypress may trigger an allergic reaction in some
people, so if this is a possibility for you – simply choose another option.
Eucalyptus – Not only is eucalyptus a favourite when it comes to treating respiratory ailments like
colds and flu, it is also a powerful soother and healing agent with antiseptic properties. Did you
know that eucalyptus oil is the key ingredient in Vick's Vaporub? It's true. One of the most popular
“doctor recommended” medicinal treatments of all time for easing a stuffy chest and throat finds
its origin in nature – specifically in the eucalyptus tree.
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But you can go right to the source and benefit from the natural healing power of pure eucalyptus
(without any other chemicals) working for you. Combine six drops of eucalyptus oil with twelve
drops of vegetable oil and rub it directly onto the congested chest. Eucalyptus can be a powerful,
nontoxic ally when applied externally – but seriously harmful even deadly if taken internally.
Always combine a few drops of eucalyptus with “carrier oil” and apply it to the chest area and rub
it in thoroughly. You can also use it on the throat for the same kind of relief. Another terrific use
for this particular oil – and one that helps improve the air quality of your home – is to add a few
drops to the dust bag of your vacuum cleaner. What the eucalyptus does is it repels dust mites. It
also gives the air a healthy, clean and natural scent.
Ginger – ginger is most commonly used other ways – as a fresh herb, powered spice, or tea. It's a
staple of Asian cuisine and has been used in India for centuries, mostly for its healing properties.
As an oil, ginger acts as a decongestant, can lower a fever and as a preventative, it helps fight off
colds and flu. Ginger has a naturally warming quality about it. It's soothing and comforting –
particularly when you feel beat down from a nasty cold.
It's usually best to use ginger in conjunction with carrier oils because undiluted, it can cause skin
irritation in some people. Another powerful way to feel the healing effects of this essential oil is to
add half a dozen drops – or more – into a tub full of warm water. Almost instantly, you'll begin to
feel the benefits of ginger oil. Inhaling helps you breathe easier.
Lavender- Lavender oil has a wonderful scent and that's because this oil is derived from the fresh
flower spikes – those natural blue wonders that are a sure sign of spring. Lavender oil is best used
to help one relax. When you're saddled with a bad cold or flu symptoms, all you want is peaceful
relaxation and sleep.
That's where lavender oil can come to your aid. It induces a feeling of relaxation, lowers stress
levels and promotes healthy blood circulation. The aromatic scent of lavender can even help to
ease depression. Lavender can be applied topically, or try adding half a dozen to a full dozen drops
of this wonderful essential oil to a warm bath.
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Another wonderful way to experience the invigorating and relaxing effect of lavender is to add a
few drops to the water whenever you wash your bedding. Not only will it smell fresh, but it can
also help you sleep better – and you don't have to worry about chemical additives used in many of
the commercially available cleaning solutions. One thing you need to be aware of is that although
nontoxic, it is possible to get too much of a god thing and if you are overexposed to lavender oil –
it may cause nausea.
Peppermint – Peppermint oil is potent, so you only need to use a small amount to experience its
benefits. It can be used topically when mixed with a carrier like vegetable oil. What peppermint
does very well is help to ease the pain of a headache. Peppermint also fights fever and other
symptoms of respiratory infections. Once you get it on your hands, apply it immediately and then
be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Keep peppermint oil away from the face and close your
eyes as you inhale its strong scent. Peppermint is a powerful that can help reduce your pain. But in
some people, it can trigger a wheezing attack or a gagging feeling – so use with caution.
Tea Tree – Tea tree oil – or melaleuca as it is sometimes called – is a multi-purpose essential oil and
is widely used as a natural way to combat viruses, bacteria, fungi, molds and parasites. Its vapor is
distinctive and powerful. To help alleviate respiratory congestion, add a few drops to a mixing
bowl full of steaming hot water and inhale the vapors for about five minutes at a time. You should
feel an easing of throat, nasal and chest congestion each time you apply this method.
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Homeopathic Options
Numerous homeopathic remedies abound for overcoming the energy-
depleting effects of colds and flu. Some health food stores carry plenty of
homeopathic solutions, while others don’t. If you visit a naturopath or
homeopath, they will steer you in the right direction, but you can always
seek out these solutions on your own as well. What is particularly
interesting about many homeopathic remedies – including some of the
most popular ones – is that they are often derived from some of nature's
most dangerous and deadly manifestations.
The good news is that any of these components that exist in a homeopathic remedy is of such a
minute amount that is considered completely safe and totally harmless to use. It is odd however,
that a natural based philosophy of healing often has its origins in the most unlikely of places – as
you are about to discover.
Belladonna – Belladonna is extracted from the deadly nightshade plant, which is known for its
poisonous black and red berries. As a homeopathic remedy, it has become a favourite way to
reduce a fever and restore the body to a normal temperature. Belladonna is also recommended by
homeopaths to reverse a full range of inflammatory conditions including sinus infection, flu and
sore throat.
Mercurius – Mercurius, as its name implies, is made from mercury – a heavy metal and one of the
most dangerous environmental pollutants on earth. But you can relax. As a homeopathic fix for
the common cold and flu, mercurius can be quite helpful. So you can go ahead and take it without
worry. This remedy is also good for sinusitis and ear aches – conditions that can develop from
colds or flu – especially when the symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, intense thirst, night
sweating, drooling during sleep, or excessive mucous discharge. If any of these symptoms sound
familiar, you may want to get your hands on mercurius.
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Lachesis – once again we have an alternative, homeopathic therapy that comes from something
most people wouldn't normally go near – a snake. More specifically, lachesis is made from the
poisonous fangs of the bushmaster snake. It is this origin that is thought to give lachesis its potent
power as a healing agent. Homeopathic practitioners often recommend this remedy for sore
throats and headaches associated with colds and flu – but they also recommend for menstrual
problems and hot flashes.
Oscillococcinum – his product is available in health food stores as a natural flu fighter. It's a
completely homeopathic remedy that has been shown to stop the flu quickly and decidedly when
it's taken early enough in the cycle. It's best to keep a package of these capsules on hand at the
earliest sign that you may have come down with the flu – start taking these wonders as directed
and you could completely divert the infection.
Cold-FX – Cold-FX is a brand name of a powerfully-effective cold-fighting remedy. It's a fairly recent
development and one that can seriously help you stop an oncoming cold before the infection
spreads far enough to take you down. One of the key ingredients of ColdFX is highly purified
extract from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), yet this ginseng component does not
provide the other health benefits normally associated with ginseng like enhanced vitality and
improved mood.
It is however, highly effective in stopping respiratory tract infections. Again, taking this
supplement early on can make all the difference in the world. When you catch it early enough –
you can wipe out the virus. If you're too late, you will still have to endure the pain and discomfort
of the infection, even if you keep taking Cold-FX – just as is the case with virtually all remedies. But
you may be able to reduce the severity and duration of the illness.
Propolis – Propolis is a product from bees ad as a therapeutic tool, it goes back as far as three
hundred and fifty BC. In its original form, propolis is a resinous found in budding trees and it's a
substance that's packed full of flavonoids. Propolis is extracted from tree buds and collected by
honey bees that use this substance to seal their honeycombs.
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Propolis is a highly-effective cold and flu remedy because of its antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal
and anti-inflammatory qualities. You can buy propolis extract in tincture form, as capsules, or as a
throat spray for instant and direct application.
Propolis extract is said to have tremendous antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, making it
another item from the health food store you may want to keep in stock. You never know when
those symptoms are going to appear and typically, they catch people on the blind side. But if have
several of these all-natural remedies on hand and you detect your cold or flu quickly – you'll have
what you need to effectively deal with the invading force and sweep it away before it gets the
chance to wear you down.
There are a couple of other natural, anti-viral products in health food stores you may also want to
add to your shopping list. These include maitake mushroom extract and olive leaf extract or throat
spray. Three to seven grams daily of maitake extract helps support a healthy immune system
function. And one thousand to two thousand milligrams daily of olive leaf extract helps you fight
off the fatigue, inflammation and infection related to colds and flu.
©OxySolution.com
Lifestyle Changes Can Protect You from Colds and Flu
Life is what you make of it. Truer words were never spoken –
especially when it comes to your health. If you're sick and tired of
being sick and tired, it's time to do something about it. Healthier
living can spare you the discomfort, inconvenience and lost days of
productivity that commonly represent one's temporary reality every
time the pick up a cold or flu bug. But this need not be the case at all.
If you're like the average person who gets a couple of colds every
year – you've actually programmed yourself to create this reality – whether you know and accept it
or not. You get what you expect and most people expect to get sick – at least one a year.
Even employers bought into this mass consciousness years ago with the allowance of “sick leave”.
What we need to do is take more responsibility for the state of our bodies and minds. We need to
recognize our true power in facilitating health and wellness instead of illness and days spent lying
in bed, unable to do much of anything else. Illness is not your normal state of being – wellness is.
Part of taking more responsibility is conducting your own due diligence. Don't take my work for
any of this and don't necessary buy into the collective wisdom either. Open your eyes to today's
reality and you soon realize that the power brokers are the huge pharmaceuticals who continue to
crank out chemical creations aimed at addressing symptoms, but that are not without
consequences like side effects.
Natural solutions are lesser known than the medicinal “fixes” prescribed by doctors and readily
supplied by “big pharma”. Such is the case with every affliction known to humankind – including
the common cold and flu. Media outlets are advertising supported and the big pharmaceuticals
with their billion-dollar profits can and do easily command all the airtime they want and like sheep,
many of us accept and follow whatever they have to offer. After all, we heard about it on
television, so it must be good, correct, okay, etc. That's the danger of mass mind thinking and it's
clear to see just how prevalent it is these days.
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Billions of dollars worth of potential advertising revenue ensures that the media plays along too.
It's hardly a level playing field and true objectivity as it relates to alternative therapies isn't going
to happen. Any natural cure that comes along is a perceived threat to drug manufactures who
feed off of illness and the desire to treat that illness with a pill or injection. Natural cures becoming
widely known would render the pharmaceutical giants largely insignificant. If fresh air was proven
to heal a specific ailment – no corporation would be able to profit from it exclusively and
therefore, you wouldn't see any ads or promotions of any sort telling you about the advantages of
breathing fresh air.
According to Dr. Kligler, “we've gotten into the habit of
believing that anything that fights cold and flu has to come in a
pill” when in reality, “we need to reconsider natural
alternatives that work as well as – and, in many cases, better
than over-the-counter remedies.”
Some people are simply brainwashed. They buy into passed along beliefs without taking the time
to examine and evaluate things for themselves. It's similar to the way many of us learn certain
words by rote. We become exposed to a particular word or message and through nothing more
than unquestioned routine, it becomes accepted and habitual. Offer an alternative to some people
and they'll quickly snap back, “my doctor told me to do ____ (whatever) and so that's what I'm
doing”. But they do so blindly, unaware of any natural or alternative solution and in the process,
refusing to accept any responsibility for their illness. They don't want to hear about anything else –
irrespective of effectiveness – preferring to believe instead that their doctor is handling it.
I'm sure you're NOT one of those people or you wouldn't be reading this report right now. But my
message to you is to check things out for yourself before accepting or dismissing them. And be
cognizant of the power of advertising and the driving forces behind it.
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Observe what you put into your body every day. Changes are that many of your dietary choices are
out of habit rather than conscious choice.
If you had to decide before consumption, whether or not a particular food would provide good
nourishment for the body, or was mostly empty calories – would you continue to eat it? If you're
even the least bit concerned about protecting your health and lengthening your life, you would
want to see to it that your body gets all the nutrients it needs. But it's very easy to get busy in life
and to just eat because we feel hunger coming on – or because it's our “usual” meal time. But
when you continue to put less than healthy contents in and you keep the good stuff out – sooner
or later – something's got to give.
That amazing machine you've been blessed with – the body – will wear down. Illness sets it and
what often begins as the common cold or flu can quickly develop into a chronic condition or
something much more sinister. When the body is neglected, it breaks down and doesn't last
anywhere near its capacity. The simple answer is to stop the poisons from getting in – not the
nutrients.
Ultimately, it's the body that heals itself. So anything you can do to facilitate a natural healing is a
wise choice. It's a holistic, natural approach that coincides with the body's design and function.
But when you look at the traditional medicines offered for colds and flu, do they encourage
natural healing or are they simply designed to “manage” one's symptoms? Symptom management
can be very profitable – or big pharma wouldn't bother paying the game. But treating the
symptom alone doesn't address the problematic cause.
When the immune system is healthy and functioning as it should, it usually catches and kills
invasive infections before they can inflict severe damage. Getting sick is in itself a revelation that
the immune system is not as strong as it should be. It could be diet-related, a lack of proper sleep,
inadequate amounts of exercise, a heaping load of stress – or a combination of any or all of these
factors. By addressing the problem, you're giving the body the kind of care and respect it
deserves.
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Eating healthier food and drinking more water can go a long way towards establishing a healthier
foundation and a stronger immune system. While this may be a message that you've heard many
times before, it bears repeating for no other reason that its vital importance. Healthy eating and
good hydration are cornerstones to peak health and vitality.
When you're getting enough, you are far less likely to get slammed by a cold or flu virus. As we
age, we tend to become more dehydrated as a result of too many years of not drinking enough
water. Since the body is about seventy percent water and the brain, eighty-five percent – it only
makes sense that the continuous intake of fresh water is essential to god health and wellness.
When your body's cells don't get enough water, they don't work as efficiently.
A feeling of thirst is the last sign that the body needs water. For optimal health, you should never
that level of depletion happen. Don't wait for last call, drink continuously. Hunger can also be a
signal that what the body needs most is water. To prove this to yourself, the next time you feel
hungry, pour yourself a tall, cold glass of water, drink it down and then see if you're still as hungry
as you were before. Changes are that your hunger signs have subsided an all it took was water.
©OxySolution.com
Vaccinations
When it comes to the flu, almost all the talk in the media
centers around getting the flu shot. Once again, who supplies
these shots anyway? Correct. It's the pharmaceutical
companies that want everyone to enthusiastically embrace
yearly immunization as a safe way to guard against coming
down with the flu.
Just listen to most media reports and you'll see how one-side the arguments appear. Even
government gets in on the act by supposedly supporting its population by “protecting” it from
infectious disease. Best is getting the vaccine in your best interest? If you listen to the propaganda
machine of big pharma, you'd think it was a necessary safety measure. But researchers led by
vaccination expert, Dr. Danuto Skowronski in Vancouver found that those who received the
seasonal flu vaccine in 2008 actually had twice the risk of contacting H1N1 “swine flu” compared to
those who never received the shot.
The real problem seems to be that there's a significant difference between naturally-acquired
immunity and the kind of immunity that is supposed to happen when given a vaccine. With the
vaccine, an antibody is artificially created. But research indicates that unvaccinated children build
up more antibodies against a variety of strains NATURALLY than do kids who get vaccines. Flu
shots are only temporary and therefore never one hundred percent protective. And many who do
get he shot, still get sick with the very thing they are supposed to be immunized against.
Typically the “protection” offered when getting a shot is less effective in protecting those
receiving it, compared to the protection one would build by contracting and then naturally
recovering from the flu. Letting the body deal with the flu and heal from it may be a far safer
option that being subjected to a chemically-produced injection.
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But that's not the only danger of vaccines. Many vaccines contain the preservative, thiomersal,
which happens to be loaded with mercury, one of the most brain-toxic substances known. This
chemical is completely unnatural and poisonous. It's a danger for anyone and may be even more
of a threat to young children, whose bodies might be less capable of getting rid of any toxins.
Some studies suggest that as much as twenty percent of children could suffer some form of brain
impairment like dyslexia, lower IQ, sociopathic behaviour, allergies, asthma or hyperactivity.
©OxySolution.com
The Questionable Value of Milk
When you're sick with a cold or flu, the last thing you should be consuming is
milk. The quick answer is that milk increases mucous production and often it’s
the build-up of mucous that you are seeking relief from. Some people are
sensitive to milk and they should avoid at all times. But is today's commercially-
produced milk actually safe? Research indicates that milk may be downright
harmful on one end of the scale and of little nutritional value, if any on the
other.
So in other words, if you've accepted the belief that cow's milk is a healthy product for humans,
you may want to look into this issue yourself at a deeper level. It could be causing health problems
far beyond the obvious.
What I've discovered is that the problem with milk is not just how it is processed – but how it
evolves. Today's commercial farms have replaced the fresh green grass cows once were fed with
high-protein, soy-based feeds. Cows are now raised to produce three times the milk as normal,
which is far more than nature designed.
It's all about production and profits and not about the health of the animals or the end users.
Cows are also given bovine growth hormone and are treated with antibiotics. Whatever milk is
taken from the cow is pasteurized and during this process, all the enzymes in the milk are
destroyed. Without these enzymes, milk is far more difficult to digest, hence the common
problem of lactose intolerance.
In humans, the pancreas can produce these enzymes essential to digestion of the milk, but not
always, as the pancreas can get overloaded, which can in turn lead to diabetes. Despite what you
may have been taught as a child, milk is definitely not required in a healthy diet. Far better options
exist in organic soy, hemp, brown rice and pure almond milk.
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Sure the flavour is different and it takes some getting used to. But who ever came up with the idea
that one species (humans) should consume the milk of another in cows? As it turns out, that's not
the real problem however. It's all the ways humans have intervened and significantly changed the
product in the process. Despite the claims of the milk marketing boards and the big money
producers, how healthy can the milk you buy at the store really be?
©OxySolution.com
Conclusion
Treating the common cold or flu can be challenging because there are so
many viruses out there that represent the root of the problem. Each virus
attacks the body in its own way and every individual often reacts differently
to any given treatment. Finding the right remedy can be as difficult as
playing darts at night, without the benefit of any light source. Something
that relieves a vicious cough in one person may have little or no effect on
the next person with symptoms that appear to be identical.
It seems that there are multiple factors at play, including the specific characteristic of individual
symptoms, as well as diet and whatever happens to be going on in an individual's life. What we do
know is that stress is often a factor and it’s something that needs to be addressed in one's life, or
the same kinds of symptoms – or worse – will tend to reoccur.
These days, it seems that we've all been conditioned to look for a quick fix. It's the age of the pill
and most of us would prefer to pop a few of them and wake up in the morning symptom-free.
Despite our collective efforts, it seems that we're no closer to this utopia then we were twenty-
five or thirty years ago. But that's no reason to throw up your hands and surrender. It's time to use
what we know to stave off colds and flu by supporting the body naturally through diet, exercise,
rest and cleanliness.
Most people are aware of how these viruses transfer from one to another, yet it's as though
they're either living in a fog or they just don't care. But it's only common courtesy to at least try to
keep those germs to yourself instead of carelessly sharing and infecting others who cannot sense
your illness. And remember to consistently and thoroughly wash your hands to get rid of as many
of those infectious germs as you possibly can. Keep a small bottle of antiviral soap – the kind that
requires no water and can be applied anywhere – on you wherever you go.
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Remain alert and know that everything you touch and are exposed to that comes into contact
with others is a potential danger zone. Some of these can be avoided, while others cannot. But
washing up after making physical contact with door handles, cream dispensers and the like can
help you stay healthy where you might have otherwise taken ill.
Health and wellness takes a concerted effort and sometimes we become impatient. Avoidance is
the optimal strategy, but when things happen and we get infected – swift, corrective action can
help us make a quick detour and avoid the crash just ahead.
Whenever a cold or flu gets the best of us, all that we want more than anything else is an instant
fix. But we need to remember that with some remedies, there's a period of adjustment involved,
where it seems like we're going the other way. So at times you might even feel worse before you
start feeling any better.
Detection is one of the keys – and perhaps the single most important one – to handling any upper
respiratory infection. Detect it early and act on it swiftly. The sooner you get on the path of taking
corrective measures, the greater your odds of wiping out the virus before it has the chance to take
you down.