Home remedies help ease cold’s wrath
By CRYSTAL LINDELL
‘Tis the season for sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever – but it doesn’t have to mean countless doctor’s visits or even downing multiple shots of NyQuil.
From the spice drawer to the freezer, experts say a variety of remedies can be found in the home to fight cold and flu symptoms.
For example, garlic has antibacterial and anti-viral properties, elderberry extract helps fight viruses, and chicken soup helps make antibodies, said Dave Childress, nutritionist and manager of Crystal Lake Health Food Store.
“Up until recently, [people] didn’t have access to what we call ‘western medicine,’ and all they’d do is home remedies,” he said. “With these types of things, there’s no harm. ...They are safe, and they’re researched pretty heavily.”
Dr. Robert Malecki, who works in Advocate Good Shepherd’s Crystal Lake office, said that anytime someone has a high fever or severe dehydration, he or she should turn to a physician. However, he added that some symptoms can be treated at home.
For example, 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C within the first 24 hours of cold symptoms can give the body a boost, and zinc helps the immune system.
Moreover, hard candies, ice cream, and hot tea mixed with honey and lemon all provide sore throat relief, Malecki said.
He also had high praises for steam and humidity – both of which fight congestion by soothing the sinuses.
“Not the humidifier that stands in your room,” Malecki said. “We’re talking about a vaporizer that you sit in front of, or sitting in the bathtub and turning on a hot shower.”
Over-the-counter decongestants also work well, but Malecki warned that patients should read labels to avoid overlapping medications.
Meanwhile, clear fluids such as 7UP or even plain water fend off dehydration, said Denise Linde, the school nurse at Johnsburg High School. She added that the ever-popular orange juice isn’t usually good for stomach problems.
“It’s good for the vitamin C,” Linde said. “But sometimes it might be a little acidic.”
Even the best of defenses likely won’t make someone better any more quickly, though, if he or she has a virus.
“We do not have anything to kill them off,” Malecki said. “All the remedies that we use – even prescription-wise – are just there to help [patients] get through it.”
In the end, the best way to battle the symptoms is to just to avoid them, Childress said.
“[They’re] basic old standbys – enough sleep, good nutrition, enough protein, low sugar diet, trying to handle stress properly,” he said. “All that stuff that frazzles your body and your brain ... takes a toll.”
Home remedies
• Gargle with warm saltwater, one-half teaspoon salt to 8 ounces of water, four to five times a day to relieve a sore throat.
• Soup, or other fluids help soothe a sore throat and relieve congestion.
• Sipping a glass of ginger ale or club soda relieves indigestion, but avoid caffeine.
• Eating three or four raw or stewed prunes or 4 ounces of prune juice should relieve constipation.
• While recovering from diarrhea, follow the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.
• A cup of peppermint tea can help break up and expel intestinal gas.
Source: Mercy Health System blog
