The Common Cold Treatment To treat a cold by means
of aspirin and codeine only causes more harm than good. The only
treatment for colds is a proper diet. The best way to begin the
treatment
is to start on a fast for two days. Nothing should be taken
during
this period except warm water mixed with lemon juice and honey or fruit
juice and hot water. A liquid diet of fruit juice in large amounts is
necessary
to neutralize the acid condition of the blood and hot drinks are needed
to help clear the kidneys. Pineapple juice in particular is highly
beneficial.
A warm water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during
this
period.
The short juice fast may be followed by an exclusive fresh fruit diet for three days. In this regimen, the patient should have three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruit, oranges, pineapple, peaches, melon or any other juicy fruit in season. Bananas, dried or stewed or tinned fruits, should not be taken. No other food should be consumed. After the exclusive fruit diet, a well balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely (i) seeds, nuts and grains (i) vegetables and (i) fruits. It is advisable to avoid meat, fish, eggs, cheese and starchy foods for a few days in addition to lots of vitamin C that is found in citrus fruits, green leafy vegetables, sprouted Bengal and green grams. Lime is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is highly beneficial in al types of cold and fevers. It should be taken well diluted. Vitamin C-rich lime juice increases resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. Lime juice should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoonful of honey should be added to it. It forms an ideal remedy for a cold and dry cough. Garlic soup is an ancient remedy to reduce the severity of cold. Garlic contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties besides several other medicinal virtues. The volatile oil in garlic flushes out the system of all toxins and thus helps bring down fever. Garlic oil combined with onion juice, diluted with water and drunk several times a day, has also been found in several studies to be extremely effective in the treatment of the common cold. Ginger is also an excellent food remedy for colds and coughs. Ginger should be cut into small pieces and boiled in a cup of water; it should then be strained and half a teaspoon of sugar added to it. It should be drunk while it is still hot, in case of colds. Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. Turmeric, with its antiseptic properties, is an effective remedy for cold and throat irritations. Half a teaspoonful of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 30 grams of warm milk is a useful prescription for these conditions. Turmeric powder should be put into a hot ladle. Milk should then be poured in it and boiled over a slow fire. In case of a running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase the discharge from the nose and will bring quicker relief. Water
Treatment Other useful
measures in
the treatment of common cold are mild sunbath, fresh air and deep
breathing,
brisk walks, sound sleep, adjustment of one’s clothes and habits to the
requirements of the season, so as to nullify the effect of weather
fluctuations. |
