Etiology
The common cold is difficult to cure because the virus changes size, shape, and resistance to treatment. It has hundreds of forms, making it almost impossible to develop a vaccine. A cold is always in the upper respiratory tract. If lung involvement, see the doctor. Lung or chest infections can be dangerous. Yellow or white spots appearing in the throat, enlarged lymph glands in the neck or under the jaw, and/or chills and shortness of breath occur, see the doctor without delay.
SYMPTOMS:
Head congestion, coughing, headache, fever, difficulty breathing, sneezing, restlessness, watery eyes, aches and pains.
NUTRIENTS:
Vitamin C, 5,000-10,000 mg. per day in divided doses, helps clean and heal mucous membranes.
Vitamin A, 15,000 IU daily, is a powerful antioxidant and helps immune system.
Zinc Gluconate lozenges, every 2 hrs. dissolve lozenge under tongue. Use until symptoms stop, follow directions for children. Stimulant for immune system.
Garlic capsules, 2 capsules 3 times per day, acts as an antibiotic and immune system stimulant.
Multivitamins, taken as directed on label, gives aid to healing.
Kelp, 5-10 tablets per day, has an antiviral action and helps in reduction of inflammation.
Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. daily, a necessity in cellular enzyme function.
TREATMENT:
Bedrest, plenty of fluids, fever control, relieve symptoms as much as possible.
Echinacea, ginger, pau d’arco, slippery elm, and yarrow tea.
To reduce fever, take catnip tea enemas.
Also, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. lobelia tincture every 3-4 hours until fever drops.
A tincture of goldenseal and echinacea is recommended for children. 8-10 drops in liquid every 3 hours until flu symptoms are gone.
Mix equal parts of juniper berries, black elder flowers, coltsfoot, lance-leaf plantain, and sallow bark. Steep 1 tsp. in 1/2 cup boiling water. Take 1/2 to 1 cup a day, sweeten with honey.
Eucalyptus oil: Put 5 drops in a hot bath or 6 drops in boiling water, put a towel over your head and inhale vapors.
One tbsp. slippery elm bark powder mixed with 1 part boiling water and 1/2 cup honey will relieve cough and sore throat. Store in a jar and give 1 tsp. every 3-4 hours.
Another remedy for colds: Anise seed (1 part), Coltsfoot leaves (2 parts) and Lungwort (2 parts); steep 2 tbsp. in 1/2 cup boiling water. Add this tea to 1 1/2 cups althea tea (prepared by soaking 1 tbsp. althea root, leaves and/or flowers in 1/2 cup cold water for 8 hrs. Take this mixture with honey, in mouthful doses.
Tincture of echinacea and goldenseal is best for children’s dosages.
HERBS:
Slippery
Elm
Echinacea
Lobelia
Eucalyptus
Yarrow
root
Golden seal
Bayberry
Birch
Boneset
Borage
Burnet
Mullein
Calendula
Coltsfoot
Dropwort
Angelica,
European
Male fern
Thyme,
garden
Violet, garden
Lavender
Mallow
Meadowsweet
Peppermint
Elder
Horehound
Culver’s root
Agrimony
Hyssop
Feverfew
Spruce, Norway
Pansy
Pleurisy root
Pennyroyal
Ginger, wild
Primrose
Rosemary
Sage
Sticklewort
Plantain, lance-leaf
Juniper berries
Black elder flowers
Sallow bark
Ephedra
Marjoram
Costmary
Cow-parsnip
Burdock,
great
Dayflower, Asiatic
Tamarack
Fern, maidenhair
Osha
Nettle, hedge
Horsemint
Catnip
Chrysanthemum flowers
Vervain, blue
Kudzu root
Lemon
Mulberry leaves
Honeysuckle flowers
Bryony, white
Poplar
Pine, white
Oak
Chamomile
Calla, wild (water-arum)
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Wash hands often, flush tissues after use, do not give aspirin to children with a fever. Check children with frequent colds and flu, for thyroid malfunctions and/or allergies.
SUGGESTIONS:
Drink potato peeling soup twice a day, made fresh daily. Potato peelings (the skins) should be peeled 1/2 inch thick. Discard center of potato. Boil peelings for about 20-30 minutes, strain, cool, and drink. Carrot or celery stick in the soup is optional.
Go to Nutramedical's Herb Finder Index
