One of the Natural Remedies I used was Eucalyptus Oil, which helped to reduce the chest congestion and the symptoms of the flu.

Herbalists use this oil to treat colds, coughs, and other respiratory ailments. Eucalyptus helps to loosen phlegm and improve lung function.

The active ingredient in eucalyptus oil is cineol or euclyptol.

The oil is a fine decongestant and has strong germicidal and antibacterial effects.

Some other uses for Eucalyptus are skin problems, muscle, and nerve pain. It has been used as diuretic, and to lower blood sugar.

Here’s how I use this oil to help me when I have a cold with cough and chest congestion. Just before bedtime, I rub the oil on my chest and throat. Then I wrap a cloth around my neck to keep it warm and to help the eucalyptus to penetrate the skin.

If you have EMU oil, you can add a drop or two of EMU to the eucalyptus oil to help it penetrate your skin faster and deeper. EMU oil has the property of penetrating the skin and moving deep into your tissues and to carry any other substances that are mix with it into the skin.

I use plenty of eucalyptus oil in the rub, but some of you might react to it so just rub a little to see it you will be ok with it. If you use eucalyptus oil with other oils, it becomes less irritating.

Eucalyptus oil can also be used in a steam inhalation to help with colds or flu.

You can also mix eucalyptus with tea tree oil and massage your chest and back when you have the flu.

You can also mix eucalyptus with thyme, rosemary and lemon and diffuse it into the room when you are sick with the flu or cold.

Only use eucalyptus for the time need to clear you cold. Long-term use of this oil has an effect on the liver.

Do not use eucalyptus oil on children under 6 years.

The other known problems due to which you can suffer sore throat are due to smoking, polluted air, consumption of alcohol and any other allergies you are suffering from. This causes lot of pain and be very uncomfortable to the patient. Sore throat problem can be easily treated and some can be a relentless pain in your neck.

Some may feel a dry scratchy and painful feeling while talking or swallowing food. These are some of the known signs of having a sore throat. Even though with so many problems it cannot be termed as a disease, but a condition or a symptom of another illness.

Sometimes the sore throat problems can be easily treated and may not even require the presence of the doctor. But, if things do not look good with your throat, it has to be checked with the doctor and a thorough test has to be done before jumping into conclusions. It is being noticed that children are the main victims of having a sore throat.

With different illness you will have different symptoms of having a sore throat. When you are suffering from cold, influenza and mononucleosis they show some of these very common signs and symptoms of having a sore throat. This is a combined list of all the symptoms affecting you when attacked by these illnesses -Continuous sneezing -Cough -Watery eyes -Headache -Slight Fever -Scratchy throat -Dry cough -Body aches -Loss of appetite -Inflammation of liver

With an itching and discomforting throat you can get some relief by following these home remedy treatments -Eat garlic on a regular basis; it is one of the most common things to have when you have a sore throat -Gargle with warm salt water several times a day -A simple tonic which can be made at home to give relief from your sore throat. A mixture of lemon juice and little honey in a glass of hot water serves up as a good sore throat reliever -Increase your liquid intake -Cut a slice of lemon and then dip it in a mixture of salt and black pepper. Then warm this lemon and then keep licking this lemon till there is no juice left in lime. -Having figs and beetroot is also good -Leafs of Basil or even juice of the same is very good for sore throat.

This method is known in Sanskrit (the Indian Language) as Neti or “Nasal Irrigation). It is the cleaning of the nasal portion of the respiratory system whose function is to allow air to come in contact with the circulating blood so exchange of the gases can happen. If this sounds a little bit complex if you need a cure for your cold and are not trying to read all these facts, just believe this works as a cure for the common cold the way nothing else can. (well besides a fast…)

Neti (nasal irrigation) is unmatched in its ability to.

1. Clear the nostrils for freer breathing.

2. Reduce excess mucus.

3. Moisten the nasal canal; strengthen the eyes, because there is stimulation of the blood vessels of the nose and eyes via nasal irrigation.

Cure for the Common cold: Using Nasal irrigation (neti).

1. Using un-iodized TABLE SALT, add a level teaspoon of salt to 24 oz warm water.

2. Wash your neti pot (which is available in most health food stores).

3. Re- rinse internally and externally with drinking water.

4. Fill the pot (which holds about 8 oz) with the saline solution.

5. Now tilt your head so your right nostril is uppermost over a sink or large basin.

6. Pour the solution into the nostril and ensure to keep the mouth open to breathe.

7. After it all comes out, remain motionless for 30 seconds or so then blow the nose thoroughly and rinse out the mouth with drinking water.

Repeat steps 1-7 on the right nostril pouring through the left this time.

You can bend forward to ensure it all drips out or preferably perform 10-15 rounds of bellows breath (a breathing exercise that entails forcefully pulling the belly back towards the spine which pushes the stagnant air out of the lungs) to get all the solution out.

I found it pleasant and soothing after practicing it only once. Besides aiding as a cure for the common cold, it also ensures that blocked nasal passages as a result of irritants and pollutants are well loosened.

Furthermore it is said to have a marked cleansing effect on the sinuses and mind and helps to clean the anterior regions of the upper palate housing the olfactory organs. It even helps to cleanse to some degree the inner workings of the ear. Children using this product should be supervised by an able adult.

Cure for the Common Cold: Dietetic Suggestions.

Moreover, to target the root cause of the common cold, now will be a good time to try one kind of a fast which could be.

1. The use of Fresh Fruit juices.

2. The Broth of succulent and tasty steamed vegetables such as celery, cabbage etc.

3. A mono-diet of a seasonal juicy fruit.

If like most people, you just cannot fast, well see to it that you abstain from all types of Animal Products, Breads, Grains and beans during this time. These substances have been known to either cause or aggravate the common cold along with other diseases and conditions including but not limited to the flu, asthma and diabetes.

This fact is based on research performed the renowned French Hygienist, Albert Mosseri and based on my personal experiences with curing my asthma, I definitely advocate his opinions. A good replacement for the less beneficial items listed above will be fresh fruits, roots and leafy vegetables for fuel.

So don’t be fooled into spending your money on drugs and nasal sprays as a cure for the common cold, it, like any other disease, can be alleviated by common-sense drugless healing alternatives, if only you know how.

With the steps above, you, like my co-worker, now know exactly how to cure you cold naturally for long-term success.

Rest

The misconception that exercise will help to sweat out a cold is misleading. The body needs to be able to fight the cold infection and by exercising or being excessively active you are reducing its capability to do this. Resting allows the body to fully combat the cold virus. The immune system and various immune functions within the body are strengthened or generated during sleep. It is these that will help your body beat the cold.

Water

When suffering from a cold the body is susceptible to becoming dehydrated. In order to prevent this it is absolutely essential that sufferers drink plenty of water. The recommended eight glasses of water a day is the absolute minimum that you should be aiming to drink when suffering from a cold. For this reason, water can help to further strengthen the immune system and subsequently beat the infection.

Vitamin C

It may sound something your mom or your grandmother would try to convince you but it is widely believed to be true. However, too much vitamin C can cause diarrhea and possible even kidney stones. Many proponents of vitamin C as a cold remedy would argue that 1,000mg every hour is not damaging and will help to reduce the time a person suffers from a cold. However, it has been medically proven that 250mg has the same positive effects as any larger dose with fewer and less severe side effects. The best way to obtain this level of vitamin C is through fruit juices because this also provides a good source of extra fluid.

Garlic

Garlic is another age old herbal remedy for colds. It helps to strengthen the immune system and is also a good antiviral. Putting garlic in meals will help to prevent colds and can also reduce the suffering time of patients. The best way to consume the garlic is freshly ground and raw. Many people would find this a struggle, especially because a lot of people eat as many as three or four cloves as soon as they show symptoms of a cold.

Elderberry Extracts

Elderberries may look harmless but to the cold virus they are far from it. It is a powerful antiviral as well as being a highly effective prophylactic. As an antiviral it can help to stave off the actual infection causing the cold, and its prophylactic properties strengthens and rejuvenates the immune system. Elderberry and blueberries are among the best varieties of fruit a cold sufferer can eat for these very reasons.

The Immune System’s Role

You will have probably noticed that almost all of these remedies are strongly based around the strengthening of the immune system. This is because there is essentially no cure for the common cold and we are forced to rely on our bodies to fend off the infection. In order to do this, the immune system needs to be as strong as possible and the stronger it is the less suffering will be required.

The effects of the common cold are not usually serious. Sometimes a cold can lead to a sinus, throat or ear infection. Even bronchitis sometimes starts out as a cold. Some people seem to get over colds more quickly than others. Most researchers believe that people with stronger immune systems recover more quickly, though there are some who disagree with this opinion. In an effort to come up with the fastest cure for common colds, scientists have come up with a zinc nasal spray or gel, which is supposed to reduce the duration of a cold to as little as two days, when taken within the first day or so after noticing symptoms.

The drawback to this treatment is that it can cause a person to permanently lose their sense of smell. Zinc lozenges are sometimes recommended and they are not believed to have the same negative side effects, but questions about their effectiveness still remain.

During the seventies and eighties, vitamin C was believed to be the fastest cure for common colds. Many clinical studies support this belief, but some do not. The biggest problems that scientists run into when investigating the effects of the common cold and evaluating treatments for it are that some people recover quickly without any treatment at all and some people who are infected with the virus never experience any symptoms. Then there is the placebo effect.

Many people show improvement in symptoms from any number of conditions when they are taking a placebo, which contains no active components. In order to avoid this, scientists perform “double-blind studies”, which means that neither the person who receives the treatment nor the person who administers the treatment knows who is getting a placebo and who is getting the product being investigated. When it comes to vitamins and other natural products, such as herbs, there are specific tastes and odors that cannot be eliminated. So, in many cases study participants are able to “guess” what they got. If these herbs or vitamins reduce or improve the effects of the common cold, some scientists are concerned that the results are invalid, because of the placebo effect or the participants ability to “un-blind” themselves.

Both clinical and laboratory research have shown that a number of natural products may be effective for preventing and relieving the effects of the common cold. These are not always highly advertised, because they are usually health or dietary supplements, which, by law, cannot claim to prevent or cure any disease. Although the fastest cure for common colds may be among them, they cannot be advertised as such. To learn more about these products, visit the Immune System Booster Guide.

The stages of the common cold vary. Some people experience no symptoms at all, while some experience a full range of frustrating ailments; from fever to body aches to coughing, sneezing and runny nose. Unlike influenza, which typically begins with a relatively high fever, most adults do not experience any fever at all. In children and infants, temperature can climb to 102 degrees farenheit.

A large number of different viruses can cause the common cold, but scientists know the most about the rhinovirus. It is a very common virus and can be grown easily in a laboratory setting. Research indicates that the beginning stages of the common cold usually occur two or three days after exposure to the rhinovirus. The most active viruses are present in nasal secretions during the first four days of infection. Thus, the first step in home instructions for the common cold is to try to keep those who have begun to show symptoms away from those who are not infected, at least for the first few days.

Parents who are caring for a sick child should wash their hands well and often, particularly before touching their own face or another family member. Disinfectants may help to remove the virus from surfaces, but it is believed that the rubbing action is what removes viruses. Anti-bacterial hand soaps and cleaners have no effect on viruses, but the hand washing action rubs them off. The rhinovirus has been shown to be active for as long as three hours on skin and surfaces.

The next step in our home instructions for the common cold covers shortening the duration of symptoms. Most research about common cold treatment is geared towards shortening symptoms, since curing the infection is not possible. First, let’s look at what does not work. Regardless of what stages of the common cold a person is currently suffering from, an antibiotic is not effective. Antibiotics neither kill viruses, nor shorten the duration of viral infections. They are only effective against bacterial infections. If symptoms last for more than two weeks, a bacterial infection may be present and a visit to the doctor is appropriate. There is no indication that inhaling steam is an effective treatment. Steam may temporarily relieve congestion, but will not shorten duration of symptoms.

While cold weather does not cause the common cold (as mentioned, it is caused by a virus), staying comfortably warm and dry will make you feel better. Getting out in rainy, wet or cold conditions often cause symptoms to worsen temporarily. When stages of the common cold experienced include fever, chills are often present. There is no reason to avoid bundling up when chills are present, but there is no indication that “sweating it out” is an effective treatment. Sweating may actually increase dehydration and experts agree that staying well-hydrated is particular important during a cold.

When asked about home instructions for the common cold, most doctors will recommend that you get plenty of rest, drink plenty of fluids and take acetaminophen for headache, body aches and fever. Parents should not give children aspirin or aspirin containing products, as it has been associated with Reye’s Syndrome, a rare, but life threatening illness that sometimes follows chicken pox, influenza and other viral infections. Some doctors may recommend zinc tablets to shorten the duration of symptoms, if used in the early stages of the common cold. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the use of zinc nasal gels or sprays. Some studies have shown that they shorten the duration of symptoms, while others conclude that they are not effective and should not be used, because they can cause permanent loss of the sense of smell. In order to have any positive effect, they must be used in the early stages of the common cold, within in the first two days.

Taking supplements of vitamin C, E, A or zinc may be helpful home instructions. For the common cold treatment, some experts recommend them. It is always important to follow the manufacturers recommended dosage. High dosages of vitamin C can cause diarrhea; zinc can cause anemia; A can cause irritability and painful joints; E can have an anticoagulant effect. The better health supplements take all of this into consideration when creating products for use during viral infections or as a preventative of viral infections.

Sometimes over-the-counter multi-symptom cold relievers are included in home instructions for the common cold. If you choose to use these, it is important to read the directions and ingredients. Some products contain aspirin. Others contain alcohol. Some cause drowsiness and should not be used when driving or operating dangerous equipment. Studies have shown that many are ineffective on common cold symptoms and most should not be used by children.

Home instructions for the common cold would not be complete without listing a few home remedies. These can make you feel better, relieve symptoms temporarily and are safe for use by most people, since they are common food products. Chicken soup contains selenium, a trace element necessary for proper immune system function. If you can make your own, then add garlic, onions, black pepper and/or ginger. These are helpful to the immune system and taste good. If you must buy canned soup, choose the low-salt versions. Warm mullein or other herbal teas are soothing to the throat. Green tea can increase energy and boost the immune system. Studies have shown that during early stages of the common cold, vitamin C in the blood stream depletes very quickly, so fruit juices can help the body get the vitamin C that it needs to fight the infection.

Many researchers believe that year round vitamin supplementation can reduce the number of colds that a person has per year. In addition, certain herbs and other plant components have been shown to improve immune system function. To learn more about these, visit the Immune System Booster Guide. This is the final step in our home instructions for the common cold, you can start taking immune system boosters during a cold to reduce the duration of symptoms and continue to take them year round for protection from the common cold viruses.

Anti-oxidants. This is what we hear the most about. Fruits and vegetables contain the most, but chicken is a good source of selenium, a trace element necessary for proper immune system function. Studies concerning green tea and the common cold focused on the polyphenons or catechins, the anti-oxidants found in green, black and some herbal teas. Anti-oxidants work by destroying free radicals and reducing cellular damage. Thus, much study has related to cancer treatment and prevention.

Perhaps one of the oldest home cures for the common cold, recent scientific studies of the health benefits of green tea have been ongoing for at least the last thirty years. In the late seventies it was found the catechins from green tea prevented crop damage from the tobacco mosaic virus by suppressing the growth of the virus. Most of what we know about viruses today has come from studying plant viruses like the tobacco mosaic. In the early nineties, one research group found that both anti-oxidants derived from green and black tea had a strong effect on the influenza virus and concluded that these could inhibit viral activity.

Fruit juices have long been considered home cures for the common cold. Both lemon and orange juice are excellent sources of vitamin C, one of the best known anti-oxidants. There have been hundreds more studies about vitamin C and the common cold than there have about green tea and the common cold. Numerous books have been written on the subject. While some researchers disagree about the amount of vitamin C necessary for overall good health, the majority of the research indicates that the need for vitamin C supplementation increases when a person has a cold. Blood tests have shown that levels of vitamin C in the blood stream are quickly depleted during a viral infection.

Other home cures for the common cold include mullein tea (temporarily opens clogged breathing passages and soothes the throat) and horehound tea (relieves coughs). Eating a regular meal is difficult when the nose is stuffy, but maintaining and even improving nutrition during a cold is important. Warm teas and soups may help relieve symptoms and improve appetite. Spices, such as ginger, garlic, turmeric and black pepper are natural immune system boosters and when added to warm soup may go a long way to make you feel a lot better.