Fighting off Winter Colds Naturally
Published
Cold and flu season has arrived once again and we all have the coworker, friend, or family member that has “what’s going around.” While you might not be able to prevent exposure to illnesses, you can certainly employing a few natural techniques for fighting off that cold when it tries to take you on such as:
Diet and Lifestyle tips:
-
Drink enough water! Aim for half your body weight in ounces daily - example: if you weigh 150 lbs, aim for 75 oz of water per day.
-
Sleep! Make sure to get enough sleep, as it is integral to immune function - aim for 7-9 hours per night.
-
Warm compresses: warm up a towel in the dryer and wrap around your chest if you have respiratory symptoms, like a cough. It will loosen the mucus and help soothe the respiratory muscles.
-
Consume soups with garlic, onions, ginger, and other spices.
-
Avoid consuming excess sugar and processed foods. Focus on vegetables and colorful fruits, like berries.
Cold and flu remedies:
-
Vitamin C - always great for fighting off colds. Try buffered vitamin C to reduce GI upset.
-
Zinc - great for immune function! Take with food to avoid nausea.
-
Elderberry syrup - especially great for fighting the flu and kids love the sweet taste!
For a more specific treatment plan tailored to your needs, make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor at one of our clinics.
By Laura Kostrzewski, ND, Bastyr University alumni.
