Herbal Household Remedies

Via: Epoch Times

By Dr. John Briffa

Last week I wrote about the role that vitamin C may have in the treatment of cancer.
Of course, vitamin C may have other potential benefits. In high doses, vitamin C is sometimes said to be a useful remedy for the common cold. Another nutrient that has some reputation for potential benefit in treating colds is zinc.

In natural medicine, it is sometimes recommended that the individual suck zinc lozenges to hasten healing from the common cold. There is indeed some evidence to suggest that there is merit in this approach, which dates back more than 20 years.

I was interested to read about another study, this one published earlier this year, in which zinc lozenges were tried by individuals with the common cold. Here, zinc acetate lozenges (13.3 mg of zinc acetate per lozenge) were used (previous studies have tended to use zinc gluconate or zinc acetate). Individuals were randomized to suck on zinc lozenges or placebo lozenges every two to three hours while awake, starting within a day of developing cold symptoms.

Compared to the individuals taking placebo lozenges, those taking zinc lozenges:
• Had cough symptoms for a shorter period of time (2.1 days versus 5 days)
• Had nasal discharge for a shorter period of time (3 days versus 4.5 days)
• Overall, had cold symptoms for a shorter period of time (4 days versus 7.1 days)
Symptom-severity scores were lower in the zinc-lozenge-taking group, too.

The authors of this study put the therapeutic properties of zinc in this context down to the mineral’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, it may also be that zinc can exert benefits through an ability to inhibit the common cold virus (rhinovirus) [3], as well as through some ability to affect the immune response.

However they work, there is now quite a body of evidence that suggests that zinc lozenges have real value in the treatment of the common cold.

References and about the author

mustard, chives, ginger, thyme

• Grandma’s Old Time Mustard Plaster still helps for a variety of disorders, just like it used to do: asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, fever and chills, sciatica, neuralgia, gout, bumps, bruises, sprains, tendinitis, common cold and flu, eruptive sores and boils. Mash leaves and stems of fresh mustard plant into a pulp. Coat the surface of the skin with petroleum jelly (Crisco lard or Vaseline) before applying the pulp to prevent serious blisters or raising welts on the skin. Bind into place with gauze and adhesive tape and keep on for several hours or overnight for best results.
• Chives and ginger tea relieves headaches due to sinus congestion caused by colds and flu. In 1 cup of boiling water put 1-1/2 tbsps of finely chopped chives and 1/2 tsp finely shredded ginger root. Cover with a flat plate and steep for half an hour. Strain, then drink lukewarm. Headaches usually go away within 20 minutes or less. Repeat as often as needed.
• For hot compresses to put on the chest to help break up lung congestion, or as a massage lotion for aching muscles and joints, put 1 1/2 handfuls of fresh thyme in 2 pints of boiling water. Cover and move away from the heat. Let steep for 40 minutes. Strain and use.

Grandma’s Old Time Chicken Soup

Yield: 8 to 10 servings

Chicken Soup indeed helps to relieve your common cold symptoms - maybe both the preparing and the eating will. Enjoy.

* 4 quarts cold water
* 1 4- to 5-pound chicken, quartered
* 2 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed
* 1 medium onion, peeled and quartered
* 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
* 2 stalks celery, chopped
* 4 to 5 stems parsley
* 1 bay leaf
* 2 teaspoons salt
* 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Measure water into a large soup pot and add all the ingredients. Slowly bring to a boil over medium heat, then immediately reduce the heat and simmer for 3 hours, using a spoon to frequently skim the soup as well as possible. Remove from heat and cool. Skim fat from the surface and strain the soup. Wash out the soup pot and return the strained stock to the pot.

Remove and discard bay leaf and parsley. Mash the carrots, celery, and garlic and stir them into the soup. Remove the skin and bones from the chicken, chop the meat and add to the soup. (If the chicken meat has completely fallen apart, that’s ok, too; just use as is, with bones removed.) Heat and season to taste with additional salt and pepper.

Related Blogs

• Related Blogs on cold
• October is Just Cold!

• Related Blogs on common cold
• Cure for the Common Cold
• Hope for common cold treatment
• Curing a swollen throat and tonsils the natural way