There is no cure for the cold virus, but there are natural cures for the common cold. In fact, did you know that with these simple remedies, you could reduce your cold symptoms to just a few days or even overnight?
Curing a common cold is not very hard when you nourish your body with the proper nutrients and provide it with healing foods and herbs that are known cold-killers.
Here is a list of the top 10 best cures for the common cold!
1. Garlic
Garlic is mother natures most effective antibiotic! Why use antibiotics when you can use garlic? I’ve gotten over kidney infections, strep throat, and numerous other ailments simply by supplementing with garlic.
For garlic to be effective as a natural healing agent, it should be consumed raw. It should also be crushed, and exposed to the air for 10 minutes before consumption (this helps activate the compounds in the garlic which help fight off pathogenic bacteria and other germs).
A study published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy found that diallyl sulfide, a compound in raw garlic, was 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics in fighting intestinal infections caused by the Campylobacter bacterium.
2. Echinacea
Echinacea is one of the best known and widely available herbal cold treatments. Echinacea works best when you are in the early stages of a cold and are trying to super-charge the immune system to fight off any foreign viruses. Many studies have found that echinacea helps reduce cold symptoms, and/or shortens their duration when taken at the first sign of a cold for 8-10 days! It should not be taken regularly, however, or your immune system will get used to it, and when you get sick, it won’t protect you from the cold virus.
3. Lemon (and other citrus)
Lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, or grapefruit juice – they are all wonderful fruits to consume when suffering from a cold. The vitamin C content helps to decrease the strength of the cold and flu virus in the body and helps reduce phlegm. Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine, helping to reduce the severity of cold symptoms and to provide the body with a major immune system boost. Make a lemon, ginger, garlic, honey tea the next time you feel a tickle in your throat and wake up feeling awesome!
4. Onion
Onions help pull toxins out of the body and are high in compounds like thisulfinates, sulfoxides and other odorous cysteine sulfoxides. These compounds provide onions incredibly potent properties, such as being able to kill off salmonella and E.coli. Sulfuric compounds in onions are also highly immune-boosting, playing a role in cancer and heart disease prevention. In addition, onions contain a free-radical banishing antioxidant known as quercetin, which boosts immune response.
5. Valerian
Valerian root has adaptogenic properties (promotion of homeostasis in the body, and decreased cellular sensitivity to stress). It is a nerve tonic which helps promote restful sleep by helping relax the muscles in the body and reducing nervous tension. It helps treat spasms, neck tension, exhaustion, headaches, backaches, IBS, menstrual cramps, normalizes blood pressure and thus is excellent for helping reduce the common cold symptoms.
6. Honey
Honey is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal! It helps cure bladder and kidney infections and provides a major boost to the immune system. Not just any honey can do this – look for raw honey, which contains all of the intact vitamins, minerals and enzymes. Raw honey that has not been heated, pasteurized, or processed in any way will provide you with alkaline-forming benefits and powerful antioxidants. Mix 1-2 teaspoons of honey in a warm cup of lemon water and repeat 3 times a day.
7. Blue Green Algae
Blue green algae is chlorophyll rich – something most harmful bacteria and viruses despise and cannot coexist around. It is also very rich in compounds that provide antioxidants and help relieve oxidative stress (a major reason in why we get sick in the first place – high levels of oxidative stress and a compromised immune system). Blue green algae has been found to help the body adapt to protect against stressors, making it a powerful adaptogenic supplement to your diet!
8. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
The rhinovirus (the technical name of the virus which causes a majority of the common colds) puts the body into an overly acidic state, making it hard for the immune system to defend itself against disease. ACV is very alkalizing and can help kill a cold within a few days or even a few hours. Not only that, but it can help alleviate cold symptoms too! Taking 1-2 tbsp. of ACV in a cup of water several times a day will get you back in tip-top shape in no time!
9. Astragalus
Astragalus root is an ancient Chinese medicine that is used to strengthen immunity and prevent colds and the flu. The antiviral properties of astragalus help stimulate the immune system, protecting us from any foreign invaders. Not only is it antiviral, but it has a high concentration of antioxidants which also help strengthen the immune system. Making astragalus root tea a couple times a day could potentially ward off any lingering viruses.
10. Vitamin D & Zinc
Vitamin D (preferably from the sun) and Zinc (whether taken in supplement form, or choosing foods high in zinc) can dramatically help improve the functioning of the immune system and get you cold-free in no time! Vitamin D is actually one of the most effective remedies in treating the common cold, especially when taking high doses (up to 10,000 IU’s per day) upon the first signs of a cold. Zinc has been scientifically shown to help reduce the severity of sniffing, sneezing and coughing (most symptoms associated with colds). It is a powerful immune-boosting trace element, helping to promote a healthy digestive tract and thus heightened immunity (our GI tract is where the bulk of immunity lies).
Don’t forget to also drink PLENTY of water when you are sick to flush your system of the virus, and getting enough rest is essential too.
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