Stopping that Cold in it's tracks!

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Americans catch

more than one billion colds a year, making it the most common infectious

disease in the US. It's also the number one reason for doctor's office visits,

despite the fact that conventional medicine has little to offer in the form of

treatment.

One of the

reasons for this is because colds are caused by viruses (and there are more

than 300 cold-causing viruses), not bacteria. So taking an antibiotic for your

cold will NOT do you any good whatsoever. Antibiotics only work on bacterial

infections, such as sinus, ear and lung infections, including bronchitis and

pneumonia.

Generally

speaking, you do not need to seek medical care for a simple cold. However, if

you have symptoms indicative of a bacterial infection you may want to consider

visiting your doctor. For signs and symptoms to look out for, please see this

article.

The

Case Against OTC Cold and Cough Remedies

Most

uncomplicated colds last between eight and nine days, but about 25 percent last

two weeks, and 5-10 percent last three weeks. How quickly your cold is resolved

has a lot to do with your general lifestyle habits and the state of your immune

system.

More often than

not, over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold remedies will NOT cause a speedier

recovery. In fact, some may simply prolong your agony by working against your

body's natural defense- and healing mechanisms.

For example, one

previous study showed that people who take aspirin and Tylenol (acetaminophen)

simply suppress their

body's ability to produce antibodies to destroy the cold virus. This is the

complete opposite of what you're looking for…

The natural

remedies listed above can help reduce your worst symptoms, which is all OTC

drugs can do as well, but without the potentially dangerous side effects.

However, an even

better option would be to implement certain lifestyle strategies that can help

you avoid ever getting a cold in the first place.

The

Importance of Maintaining a Robust Immune System

It's important to

understand that the primary underlying reason for why you keep catching colds

is an impaired immune system.

Just being

exposed to a cold virus does not mean you will automatically catch a cold. If

your immune system is operating at its peak, it should actually be quite easy

for you to fend off the virus without ever getting sick.

If your immune

system is impaired however, viruses can easily overwhelm your natural defenses

and take hold.

A robust immune

system is dependent on a number of lifestyle and environmental factors, but the

most common factors are:

1.

Optimized

vitamin D levels --

Research has confirmed that " catching " colds and flu may actually be

a symptom of an underlying vitamin

D deficiency. Less than optimal vitamin D levels will

significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to

contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections.

In the largest and most nationally representative study of its kind to date,

people with the lowest vitamin D levels reported having significantly

more recent colds or cases of the flu -- and the risk was even greater for

those with chronic respiratory disorders like asthma.

I strongly believe you could avoid colds and influenza entirely by maintaining

your vitamin D level in the optimal range. Vitamin D is an amazingly

effective antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial

peptides in your body that kill both bacteria and viruses.

2.

Avoiding

sugar and grains

-- If you feel yourself coming down with a cold or flu, this is NOT the time to

eat sugar, grains, artificial sweeteners or processed foods. Sugar is

particularly damaging to your immune system -- which needs to be ramped up, not

suppressed, in order to combat an emerging infection.

3.

Getting

proper rest

-- If you aren't getting enough sleep, or enough restorative sleep, you'll be

at increased risk for a hostile viral takeover. Your immune system is also the

most effective when you're not sleep-deprived, so the more rested you are the

quicker you'll recover. You can find 33

secrets for a good night's sleep here.

4.

Effectively

addressing emotional stressors -- Emotional stressors can predispose you to an

infection and make

cold symptoms worse.

Finding ways to manage daily stress as

well as your reactions to circumstances beyond your control will contribute to

a strong and resilient immune system. My favorite tool for this is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), a system

that helps balance your body's subtle energies and repair emotional

" short-circuits. " EFT may even help you overcome

cold symptoms.

5.

Regular

exercise

– Regular exercise is a crucial strategy for increasing your resistance

to illness. There is evidence that regular, moderate exercise can reduce your

risk for respiratory illness by boosting your immune system.

In fact, one study found that people

who exercised regularly (five or more days a week) cut their risk of having a

cold by close to 50 percent. Exercise likely cuts your risk of colds so

significantly because it triggers a rise in immune system cells that can attack

any potential invaders.

Ideally, establish a regular fitness

program, such as Peak

Fitness, now, to help you ward off colds and other illness.

However, if you're already feeling sick don't overdo it. Over-exercising can

actually place more stress on your body, which can suppress your immune system

-- and you don't want that either. You might just go for a walk if you are

coming down with a cold, or simply tone down your regular workout. Any rise in

body temperature will be an unwelcome climate for a viral invader, though, so

some exercise

during a bout of cold is likely to be beneficial.

If you address

these five primary factors that can make or break your immune system, you'll be

well on your way to never having to suffer another cold again.

However, should

you come down with one, then what?

Safe

and Natural Cold Remedies

The list created

by WPHL contains several of my recommended home remedies. Here are

several more suggestions that they missed, including vitamins and other

supplements that can help treat your cold symptoms.

1.

Hydrogen

peroxide:

I don't advise over-the-counter medications, but one simple treatment you can

try that is surprisingly effective against upper respiratory infections is

hydrogen peroxide.

Many patients at my Natural Health Center have

had remarkable results in curing colds and flu within 12 to 14 hours when

administering a few drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into each ear.

You will hear some bubbling, which is completely normal, and possibly feel a

slight stinging sensation.

Wait until the bubbling and stinging

subside (usually 5 to 10 minutes), then drain onto a tissue and repeat with the

other ear. A bottle of hydrogen peroxide in 3 percent solution is available at

any drug store for a couple of dollars or less. It is simply amazing how many

people respond to this simple, inexpensive treatment.

2.

Herbs

and spices with high ORAC scores, such as turmeric, oregano, cinnamon, and cloves (for

more on ORAC, visit www.oracvalues.com).

You can simply add these liberally to your food.

3.

Vitamin

C: A

very potent antioxidant; use a natural form such as acerola, which contains

associated micronutrients. You can take several grams every hour till you are

better unless you start developing loose stools

4.

Oregano

Oil: The

higher the carvacrol concentration, the more effective it is. Carvacrol is the

most active antimicrobial agent in oregano oil.

5.

Propolis: A bee resin and one of the

most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the world; propolis is also the

richest source of caffeic acid and apigenin, two very important compounds that

aid in immune response and even fight cancer.

6.

Elder

flower extract:

Rich in vitamin C and a wide range of valuable flavinoids, including

anthocyanins and quercetin, elder flower has been traditionally used as a

tonic to boost immunity. It is also widely known to promote lung and

bronchial tract health.

7.

Elderberry: In one study, published in

the Journal

of International Medical Research, elderberry syrup reduced the severity of

flu symptoms and shortened their duration by about four days. Elderberry

extract is also known for inducing sweating, and helps relieve congestion.

8.

A

tea made from a combination of elder flower, yarrow, boneset, linden,

peppermint and ginger;

drink it hot and often for combating a cold or flu. It causes you to sweat,

which is helpful for eradicating a virus from your system.

9.

Olive

leaf extract:

Ancient Egyptians and Mediterranean cultures used it for a variety of

health-promoting uses and it is widely known as a natural, non-toxic immune

system builder.

Also make sure to

drink plenty of fresh, pure water. Water is essential for the optimal function

of every system in your body and will help loosen secretions. Drink enough

water to turn your urine a light, pale yellow.

Homemade

Cough Remedy

As mentioned by

WPHL, honey can help relieve a sore throat or bothersome cough. However, it's

important to make sure you're using raw honey for optimal health benefits.

That said, it's

quite easy to make your own homemade cough and cold remedy. The Organic

Consumers Association has published several great recipes,

including this simple honey lemon cough syrup:

Honey Lemon Cough Syrup

Lemon helps

promote health by quickly alkalinizing your body, and honey will kill any

bacteria. This is a perfect choice for a quick cough remedy.

·

Put

a pint of raw honey in a pan on the stove on VERY low heat (Do not boil honey

as this changes its medicinal properties) .

·

Take

a whole lemon and boil in some water in a separate pan for 2-3 minutes to

both soften the lemon and kill any bacteria that may be on the lemon skin.

·

Let

the lemon cool enough to handle then cut it in slices and add it to the pint

of honey on the stove.

·

Let

mixture cook on warm heat for about an hour.

·

Then

strain the lemon from the honey making sure all lemon seeds are removed.

·

Let

cool, then bottle in a jar with a lid and store in the

refrigerator.

·

This

syrup will keep for 2 months in the refrigerator. To soothe a cough, take 1/2

teaspoon for a 25 lb. child and 1 teaspoon for a 50 lb. child, about 4 times

a day, or as often as needed. Adults can take 1 tablespoon doses.

For even more

great recipes for dry cough, wet cough, antiviral syrup, plus several soothing

tea recipes, please see the Organic

Consumers Association article.