A Coconut Oil Cure for a Cold
Can coconut oil cure the common cold? According to Dr. Kenneth Sutter, author of docsutter.com, a cold should last approximately 3 days. What might seem like a cure for the cold is often a placebo that has done nothing to shorten a cold's effects. Coconut oil may fall into this category, but folk remedies using coconut oil may help ease symptoms.
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Cure
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Rubbing coconut oil on the chest and head may help clear air passages and also help the sufferer to sleep better. Although there is little scientific evidence as to why this cure might work, there are many anecdotal tales of users finding relief through this simple cure. Using organic, cold-pressed virgin coconut oil is stressed, but the method is otherwise very simple. Simply use the coconut oil to massage the chest, the upper back and the head, which should help breathing and create a relaxing sensation.
Controversy
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Dr. Kenneth Sutter states on his website that colds last 3 days. This short time frame can make almost anything that does not harm the cold seem as if it has helped. Taken on the second day, the cold is two-thirds finished, so the "cure" seems to work. When coconut oil does work, it is based on the effects of the medium chain fatty acids of which the oil is comprised. According to the Coconut Research Center, these oils have been proven to help fight many viruses, including influenza, HIV and hepatitis, but these medium chain fatty acids have not been shown to work against the viruses that cause the common cold.
Comfort and Support, Not Cure
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The goal for the common cold, according to Dr. Kenneth Sutter, is comfort and support for the sufferer. Eucalyptus oil or peppermint oil can help relieve symptoms. Eating healthy food, resting and drinking plenty of fluids can all help. Coconut oil, being a nutritious food, supports the body's efforts to heal, but it will not cure the cold. Using coconut oil as a carrier oil to massage clogged air passages adds to the cold sufferer's comfort level, helping him to breathe more easily and get the rest he needs.
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