As Christmas comes closer and the temperature drastically drops, many of us are going to get sick. Here are some tips on how to deal with colds naturally:
- Honey: If you have a cough, honey can help soothe your throat. Studies have shown that good quality honey can help a chronic cough and prevent bacteria from replicating in the throat.
- Ginger Tea: Ginger is a great anti-inflammatory herb, so if you have sinus congestion or body aches, a strong dose of ginger tea can ease your symptoms. (Note: If your ginger tea is too mild in taste, it won’t have enough of its active compounds to decrease inflammation)
- Raw Garlic: Raw garlic contains compounds that are antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. It is a great way to nip an infection before it progresses from a sore throat to a full blown cold.
- Antiviral/Antibacterial Herbs: Herbs like Goldenseal, Barberry, and Pau D’Arco are effective antimicrobials and can also boost your immune system thereby decreasing the severity and duration of your cold. It’s important to go to a naturopath first because based on your symptoms, he/she can prescribe a herb that will work best for your infection (based on if the infection is viral or bacterial in nature, and what symptoms you present with are).
- Steam Inhalation: This is a procedure by which you inhale steam (not too hot, or it will burn your skin!) into your nose to clear the nasal cavity of mucous and decrease inflammation. A great way to get some relief, especially if you have a sinus infection.
So there you go – instead of lying in bed waiting for the infection to resolve itself, you can do something to speed up the process!
*Always consult your N.D. or health care practitioner before starting any medical advice*
Dr. Rahim Kanji, N.D. is a Naturopathic Doctor practicing in Toronto, Canada. He has a passion for evidence-based natural medicine, specifically empowering his patients to make nutritional changes which create dramatic impacts to their health.
