Simple and Effective Things You Can Do for Cold/Flu Season

Dr. Tooba Durrani, ND, L.Ac.

"There is no cure for the common cold", a phrase often repeated as winter approaches. It is true that antibiotics do nothing for colds, as they are often due to viral infections and antibiotics only work on bacterial infections. Over the counter medications as they are advertised don't cure colds either, they relieve the symptoms. So what can you do to ward off or prevent a cold and what can you do once you have a cold?

To understand how to treat cold or flu naturally, one needs to understand that the routes for these infectious diseases enter the body through lungs or GI tract, both of which are lined by mucous membranes, where the bulk of our immune system lies. The mucous membranes will do their best to flush the invaders/irritants from the body either through the respiratory passages via: sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, runny nose, etc, or through the GI tract via: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. So what can you do?

For one you can keep your natural defenses or immune system up to speed. To build your natural defenses, limit foods that stress your adrenal and immune systems such as: sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. You can manage stress by exercising regularly, practicing deep breathing, or maintaining your spiritual practice.

Secondly, if you notice the cold/flu coming on, do what you may have noticed animals and small children doing which is—stop eating solid foods. When your body is attempting to flush out the invader/irritant, adding more food only burdens the body. Instead of eating solids, which are more burdensome to digest, drink liquids and easy to digest foods, such as: herbal teas, fruit or vegetable juices, or nourishing clear soups/broths. You can also do a Warming Sock Treatment, Neti Pot, or herbal and vitamin supplements to support and stimulate your immune system.

Take Immunity-Boosting Supplements and Homeopathics:

  1. Echinacea—which is a non-specific immune stimulant. It challenges the body's immune system into thinking it is under attack, which causes it to heighten its immune response thereby making it better able to fight off viruses.
  2. Elderberry—both the berries and flowers are known to be effective in acute viral infections. Modern research indicates that elder inhibits viruses from entering cells, preventing viral replication.
  3. Olive leaf—A broad spectrum antiviral
  4. Zinc—it can shorten the duration of the infection
  5. Vitamin C—Supports the immune system
  6. Homeopathics—which can be used alone or in conjunction with herbal and vitamin supplements.
    Oscillococcinum:
    Take 6 pellets of this homeopathic remedy every 6 hours at the first onset of flu or cold symptoms. Take 15-30 mins away from food or fluids.

Consider these simple home treatments you can do at home:

  1. Neti Pot—Nasal saltwater wash for sinus congestion/sinus infections. Recently featured on Oprah (www2.oprah.com, search for Neti pot).
  2. Warming Socks Treatment—
    Materials:
    1 pair thin cotton socks
    1 pair 100% wool socks

    Apply this treatment before you go to bed. Warm your feet first.

    Rinse the cotton socks in cold water until thoroughly wet. Wring them out so they aren't drippy. Put the cotton socks on, then put the dry wool socks on over the cotton socks. Go to sleep. That's it!

    The cotton socks will dry out as you sleep. Keep the socks on all night (even if you wake and the socks are still wet – they will be dry by morning).

    The cotton and wool socks act to alternately warm and cool your feet, which pulls and pushes blood from your feet to the rest of your body. This improved circulation assists the immune system and also helps you to sleep.

    Do the warming socks treatment for a cold (or onset of a cold) until one day after you're sure your symptoms are gone. Do the treatment as often as needed for insomnia.

All the supplements and Neti pot can be obtained from RoseSprings Center for the Healing Arts or your health food store.

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