It is fall and with the weather change our family is fighting the common cold. And we have so far done this successfully. We have had nothing more serious than a day of mild sniffles while most colds carry the symptoms of sore throat, cough, congestion, runny nose, sneezing. The common cold is annoying and most of us can catch it up to three times a year.
So here are the tips to fight cold bug.
1. Rest
Getting enough sleep is crucial for the body to heal and repair itself.
2. Nutrition
Homemade chicken stock has a lot of essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. The gelatin that is created when you make homemade stock is great for healing digestive disorder. One of the best benefits of bone broths are that they are very flavourful, satisfying and taste great when you are sick.
Garlic has great antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. I eat a clove of garlic per day (in the evening) sliced up on a piece of cheese. I find that dairy takes away the spiciness of the garlic. My kids don’t touch this but if your baby is nursing it will get all the benefits without the strong taste.
3. Vitamin D
It can be found in Cod Liver Oil, organ meats, egg yolks, raw and supplemented milk, sunshine and supplements. Vitamin D is an antibiotic. When the body has the proper amount of Vitamin D it is able to produce proteins called antimicrobial peptides. These antimicrobial peptides fight and destroy the cells of bacteria, fungus and viruses.
4. Moisture
We heat our home by burning wood so in the winter the air is very dry in our house. Humidifying the air in the home will “moisturize” the mucous membranes and protect them from viruses. This can also relieve the symptoms of cough and breathing problems. Drinking lots of fluids will also moisturize the throat.
5. Oil of Oregano
I love oil of oregano for treating colds. It works fast and is very effective. I take it at as a preventative for colds and to treat colds. It is not recommended for babies and toddlers. Taking it in milk will reduce the heat of the oil of oregano. This works so great that even my daughter is able to take it this way.
