Got the sniffles? The dreaded lurgy? The Man flu? Just as there are many people falling victim to common colds at this time of year, there are as many old wives tales and magical Snake Oil treatments claiming to help you beat the cold and get you back on your feet.
Despite popular belief, a regular cold and yes, even the flu is going to go away on its own; you don’t need medication, antibiotics or expensive supplements to help you beat it. In fact, since colds and flus are viruses, antibiotics do nothing for treatment and actually suppress your immune system.
For those of you who are praying to the Gods for a way to beat your cold, here’s my 5 sure-fire ways to boost your immunity and reduce severity and duration of symptoms…
1. Homemade Chicken Soup
That’s right, Grandma was right all along! Homemade chicken soup made from veggies, garlic, herbs and chicken cooked from the bone; provide the ideal combination of synergistic nutrients that are the perfect weapon against a cold or flu.
Chicken soup helps to support your immune system, is cram-packed full of electrolytes helping to keep you hydrated and the hot liquid will help push mucus out of your nasal passages. Plus it will give you a good hit of zinc, magnesium and B vitamins to help arm your immune cells whilst giving you an energy boost.
And if all of that wasn’t enough, chicken soup is easily digestible, helps heal the lining of your gut, and has anti-inflammatory actions.
But don’t be fooled into thinking a can of store-bought soup is going to do the trick!
2. Avoid Sugar & White Stuff
You can help your body heal naturally on its own by simply getting out of its way. Avoid all refined sugars and white processed food like bread and flour that suppress your immunity, slowing down your body’s own innate healing mechanisms. Especially avoid soft drinks and sugary fruit juices, opting for water or vegetable juice instead.
Sugar will also feed bad bacteria and pathogens in your gut, helping them to flourish. Instead focus on vegetables and whole foods that will nourish your body and help it to thrive.
3. Turmeric Healing Tea
The use of turmeric dates back nearly 4000 years to the Vedic culture in India. It’s a wonderful spice with almost magical healing benefits. With anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to soothe colds, congestion, headaches and sore throats. This delicious tea also contains raw honey works as an expectorant to help bring up mucous. And did I mention its delicious?!
Here’s how to make a healing tea:
Place a sliced 3-inch piece of turmeric root and the same size ginger into a jar with a litre of boiling water and let is steep for 5 minutes. When the liquid has turned orange from the turmeric root, add in 3 tablespoons of raw honey to taste and ½ the juice of a lemon and drink throughout the day.
4. Take A Quality Probiotic
Many people don’t realized that over 80% of your immune system is located in your digestive system. By taking probiotics you boost your immunity by increasing good bacteria, helping your immune system fight off colds, viruses and bacterial infections.
Try adding a quality probiotic supplement as well as fermented foods including sauerkraut or kimchi into your diet daily to reduce the duration and severity of cold-like symptoms.
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
A great way to treat phlegm, mucous coughs and sinus congestion is to take organic and unpasteurised apple cider vinegar in the morning with a bit of warm water and raw honey. It will also help improve digestion and nutrient absorption whilst thinning mucous and can potentially help the immune system fight off any bad guys.
So, with those tips you shouldn’t need to waste anymore of your time feeling horrid from that dreaded cold! Enjoy some soup and a nourishing tea and hopefully see yourself on the mend very quickly!
Please note: Glam Adelaide does not claim to be an office full of doctors, so please, if you feel like you need to seek medical advice, do not hesitate.
More News
