How to Fight a Cold Naturally

on 5/2/2008 Be VERY careful when using products containing zinc. Don't use more than one and be sure that you don't exceed the maximum dosage. Zinc can become toxic quite easily. Zinc-containing cold remedies are becomming increasingly common and zinc toxicity is along with it. I bought some throat drops last winter and I didnt even realize they had zinc in them until about june.

on 5/2/2008 Be VERY Careful when taking products containing zinc. Don't take more than one and make sure you don't take more than the maximum dosage. Zinc can become toxic very quickly. I have some throat drops that I didnt even realize had zinc in them when I bought them. They say very specifically not to use more than one every few hours.

on 11/20/2007 Use a netti pot for a nasal rinse, you can get it at natural foods stores like Trader Joes. It's an age old trick that Removes mucus and pollution of the nasal passages and sinuses as well as:
* Helps to prevent respiratory tract diseases
* Daily use relieves allergies, colds and sinusitis
* Beneficial in the treatment of headaches and migraines
* Removes drowsiness, making the head and sense organs feel light

on 8/8/2006 In addition to gargling with warm, salted water, I find it tremendously effective to suck warm, salted water up your nose.
Put warm, salted water in a small bowl, cover one nostril and suck water up the other until it is coming out the back of your throat. Quickly plug that nostril and suck water up your other nostril, too.
Once it is up there, you'll have to block off the back of your throat with the back of your tongue: otherwise the water in your nasal cavity will just run out the back of your nose.
Once you have successfully filled your nasal cavity with the warm water, hold your nostrils with your hand and hold your head in as many different directions as possible. You are in effect washing the walls of your nasal cavity. Once you have done this for about a minute, let it all out through your nose, and blow any remainder out.

Note: If you are too stuffed up to do this in the first place, you may need to start with some nose drops to get the air flow going.

This trick may sound horrid, and you will undoubtedly choke a bit the first time, but it is very effective: lets you breathe easier and kills the cold bacteria in your nasal passages, thus shortening the life of the cold.
Repeat every couple of hours.
Happy breathing!

on 8/8/2006 Hotty Totty
8 oz. of hot water
2-3 tbs. of 80% proof alcohol (Crown Royal, whiskey, rum, etc)
1 tbs. of honey
1tbs. of lemon juice

Not only does it taste good, but it will knock that cold right out. If you are a recovering alcoholic, this remedy is not for you.