When I was growing up my mom had millions of home remedies for everything from a cure for an ear ache to a salve for open wounds. Some of them really worked and some of them I think were just smelly placebos to make you think it was working. Here are some of the remedies my mom used to use to get us better fast when we had a cold.
Lemmon: My mom always said that Tea with lemon was the best thing for a cold, and many experts now agree with her. The vitamin C in the lemon helps strengthen the body's immune system. They also say that it should be in warm water which is why they put it in tea.
Garlic: Back in the day my mom would give my brother and I garlic soup. The soup has antiseptic properties, the oil in the soup help open the repertory system and it helps reduce fever in the body, and by adding some onion juice to the soup you can help flush unwanted toxins from the body, but be prepared because you will sweat them out.
Ginger Tea: If you have a cold with a fever the answer is tea with ginger. This does not mean make a cup of tea with a tea bag of ginger tea. This does not have enough ginger in it to make a difference. What you need to do is cut up several pieces of ginger, approximately a quarter of an ounce, and put it in a pot. Put a cup of water in the pot and bring it to a boil. After the water boils, strain the chunks of ginger out of the water and pour the remains into a glass add sugar for taste, and drink it.
Okra: Okra is a green vegetable, that kind of looks like a cross of a pepper and zucchini. The vegetable is filled with Mucilage, which is great for soothing sore throats. Cut about 10 grams of Okra and boil them in about 1 liter of water. After the water boils you can inhale the steam and drink the water. The water will look oily. This oil is what sooths your sore throat.
Tamarind and Pepper: A great way to relieve a stuffed up nose is Tamarind and Pepper soup. The soup is made by adding 50 mg or Tamarind into a pot with 1 cup of water. Bring it to a boil then add one teaspoon of hot ghee and half a teaspoon of black pepper. You should have 1 cup of this soup 3 times a day. After drinking you will fell your nose start to run and your eyes will water, but within minutes your sinuses will be cleared out.
Bitter Gourd Root Paste: This is not one of my mom remedies so I have never tried it but I have been told from people that it really does work. This remedy does not cure the symptoms of the cold it goes after the cold itself. Take a teaspoon of the paste and a teaspoon of honey. If taken for a month it will rid the body of the cold germs and help strengthen your immune system.
Turmeric: Turmeric is a cure all. It not only relieves the symptoms of the cold like runny nose and sore throat, it also helps kill the cold germs and strengthen the immune system all at once. The turmeric is bought as a powder. Add half a teaspoon is added to a cup of milk them boiled. The steam should be inhaled while it is boiling then poured into a glass, allowed to cool slightly then drink twice a day. Your nose will start to run much more then before but in a day you will feel much better.
These were just some of my mom's old home remedies, and with winter approaching I hope that they will help you get thru the winter feeling happy and healthy.
The internet is swarming with products and home remedies that claim to heal and prevent cold sores. If you have ever suffered from a cold sore, you probably know all too well that that they tend to develop at the most inopportune times and are quite embarrassing, sending you desperately scrambling for a quick remedy that will cure a cold sore fast. Many home remedies and medications are helpful, however what works for one person may not be effective for someone else. One of the best techniques in tackling this problem is prevention. This article will provide you with 5 important tips to prevent cold sores.
Stock up on vitamins:
Take a good multivitamin every day. In addition, a daily supplement of L-lysine, the most studied and researched dietary supplement in association with cold sores has shown positive results in decreasing the recurrence of the cold sore virus.
Stay healthy and watch your diet:
The cold sore virus is often triggered during stress, colds, fevers, during menstruation, after exposure to the sun, or for no apparent reason. It is generally believed that anything that compromises the immune system can trigger a cold sore. Eating foods that have high concentrations of L-lysine will help reduce your chance of developing a cold sore during times that your immune system has been compromised. Some foods that are high in L-lysine include dairy products, chicken, beef, beets, apricots, avocado, apples, soybeans, and fish. On the flip-side, an amino acid called arginine has been found to increase the risk of developing of a cold sore. It is a good idea to limit your intake of foods containing arginine. Some foods with a high concentration of arginine include chocolate, nuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, peanuts, seeds, seafood, peas, oranges, grapes, other fruits or berries; broccoli, carrots, and corn.
Protect your lips:
Exposure to the sun, wind, and cold are big contributors to cold sore flare-ups. Wear sunscreen when exposed to the sun and always carry a lip-balm that contains SPF. A good lip-balm to carry is Herpecin-L which contains L-lysine as well as an SPF. This will protect your lips whether exposure is related to sun, wind, or cold temperatures.
Toss the toothbrush:
Although the cold sore virus generally cannot live outside the body for a long period of time, numerous studies have shown that the virus can continue to live for more than a week in a toothbrush.
Get enough sleep:
Fatigue and stress weaken the immune system, triggering cold sores. Make sure you get enough sleep to keep the body from becoming run-down and vulnerable to attacks.
These are just a few simple precautions to take, however there are numerous other ways to protect yourself from an unsightly cold sore. But no matter how many safety precautions you take to protect yourself, remember there is no guarantee that you will not fall victim to a cold sore at some point. There are several home remedies and medications that will visibly heal a cold sore in as little as two days.
Both Ella Philipini & Quinn Black are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Ella Philipini has sinced written about articles on various topics from Travel and Leisure, Alternative Medicine and Homeopathic Remedies. Ella Phillipini has been a health freak since she can remember. She eats only pure Vegetarian, and is active in the movement against whaling. But, when she finds the time, she analyzes. Ella Philipini's top article generates over 8100 views. to your Favourites.
Quinn Black has sinced written about articles on various topics from Health, Medical Condition and Alternative Medicine. Quinn Black is a frequent cold sore sufferer and is the author of , a free informational website that provides tips to prevent cold sores and uncover the. Quinn Black's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.