It seems that no matter what time of year it is, our immune systems are constantly being bombarded with all manner of germs and bacteria. Of course, succumbing to these germs largely depends on how strong and healthy our own defences are.
You might be surprised that 'having a cold', with the accompanying runny nose, sneezes, coughs and high temperature, is not necessarily a bad thing. The mistake is to suppress it and not let it run its natural course. When you have a cold, poisons and pathogens are eliminated from the system in a way we have all experienced - via a runny nose, sneezes and coughs, and through a high temperature which destroys the bacteria and viruses long before it destroys the rest of us. As a result you will be glad to know that abnormal and diseased tissues break down and build up again to a purer and more normal you.
The acute disease acts, if you like, like a thunderstorm on the sultry summer air and clears the system of impurities and obstructions. Therefore, acute diseases, when treated in harmony with nature's intention, always prove beneficial. If, however, through neglect or wrong treatment, the inflammatory processes are not allowed to run their natural course, if they are suppressed by drugs such as aspirin or paracetamol and a variety of 'cold cures', then the poisons do not leave the body and will eventually develop into chronic conditions.
Colds are not suddenly 'caught' from outside germs; their 'period of incubation' may have lasted months or years. In healthy conditions, the skin eliminates a lot of toxins every day. If you 'catch cold', for instance through being in a draught in wet clothing, there should be no reason why that should develop into anything more serious than temporary shutting down of the skin's pores. If your system is not too toxic, and your kidneys and intestines are in fairly good working order, these organs will assist the temporarily inactive skin to take care of the wastes which the skin can't presently eliminate. If, however, the body is already overloaded with waste and other toxins, or the bowels and kidneys have been weakened through overwork and overstimulation (through poor food choices and lack of exercise and fresh air and water), then the toxins can't find their way out of the system in the usual ways, and try instead to get out via the nose, throat and stomach.
To suppress the elimination even further with a variety of 'cold cures' is to interfere with nature's attempt to purify and keep you healthy, and the result will inevitably be chronic disease later in life.
What, then, is the natural cure for colds? We must look for increased elimination of the toxins. This is achieved by eating lightly and healthily and making sure all 'channels of elimination' are open (i.e. skin, bowels, kidneys). (Click here to see Constipation, and Colon Cleansing.). Skin brushing with a natural bristle brush (see section of Colon Cleansing), homoeopathic remedies, light exercise to keep the lymph moving, short sun and air baths, herbs, vitamin and mineral supplements, massage and aromatherapy can all be employed. Dietary advice For a few days, eat only fresh vegetables and fruit, home-made onion and vegetable soup, brown rice or millet.
| | | | | Take 2-4 grams of vitamin C every four hours or so, until you feel better. Then reduce to 1 gram of vitamin C three times a day for a few days. Once you feel completely better, 1-2 grams is good maintenance.
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Other recommendations
Unless you have a fever, remain active. Staying in bed for 'sniffles' is not necessary, and can make you feel worse. Moving around helps to loosen built-up mucus and fluids. Observe basic rules of hygiene. Flush used tissues - don't re-infect yourself or others. Wash your hands frequently and refrain from close contact with loved ones or colleagues when possible. Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections. They only work against bacteria, and even then they also kill the 'good' bacteria (e.g. acidophilus) which would help to defend you against viral infections. You could take probiotics instead, such as lactobacillus acidophilus, which will be beneficial in dozens of different ways. (There will be certain situations when anti-biotics do become necessary - take your Doctor's advice.) Eucalyptus oil is great for relieving congestion and helping you breathe. Put 4-5 drops in a hot bath or in a bowl of hot water for inhaling. Eucalyptus opens the pores of the skin, so toxins can escape. Keep wrapped up though - you don't want the wind or cold to enter through your open pores. Other essential oils (also called aromatherapy oils) to use are basil, cinnamon, lemon, onion, peppermint, thyme, camphor, pine, myrrh, sandalwood, benzoin, bergamot, cedarwood and fennel. Check in a good aromatherapy book when and how to use these oils or see an aromatherapist. Do not use if pregnant. At the first sign of a cold, use echinacea to boost your immune system. Echinacea is antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and it also heals wounds. No wonder it's one of the most popular herbs in the ancient and modern medicine cabinet. As an immune system stimulent, some people say echinacea is best taken for a specific period of time. At the start of a cold, or when you're at risk, take it 3-4 times a day and continue for 10-14 days. To help prevent a cold, it can be taken 3 times a day for 6-8 weeks. Then have a 'rest period'. Do not take echinacea if you have an autoimmune illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Supplements (Click on the supplement to go there.)
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Contra-indications
Do not take echinacea if suffering from an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
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