›› common cold - Treatment Methods

COMMON COLD REMEDIES FOR INFANTS

Common cold amongst children is a very common problem since they are constantly exposed to germs and their immunity system has not yet completely built its resistance to these germs. Usually accompanied by a stuffy nose, frequent sneezing, cough, chest congestion and even fever, it is rather troublesome for young children who get very restless and irritable due to this sickness. One of the best ways to treat a common cold with chest congestion and stuffed nose is to provide adequate rest to the patient so that the body can fight back against the germs.

You should keep the patient warm by covering with a warm blanket and also apply warm compress to the nose and chest to ease the heaviness. Since children do not easily agree to take steam inhalation which helps to unclog the nasal cavity and ease the congestion, you can apply a warm washcloth to the sides of the nose and the chest, taking care not to heat it too much. Massaging the chest gently with eucalyptus oil is also beneficial in treating congestions. A traditional remedy involved rubbing the chest with a paste of ground mustard and water to increase the circulation of blood in the chest, ease the congestion and help breathing at night. However this can sometimes lead to irritation of the skin and is not favored much these days.

Apart from this you should increase the child’s intake of fluids so that the mucus is drained out of the body naturally. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water, coconut water and fresh fruit juices are recommended. Provide plenty of hot vegetable and chicken soups laced with ginger, garlic and pepper to provide soothing relief to the throat and chest and speed the treatment. Chicken soup is rich in protein, salts and essential fluid and provides the required energy when the child does not feel like eating anything else.

Thus it is cited as a classic remedy for common cold. A spoonful of honey taken twice a day is also effective in treating common cold since honey acts against infections and helps in clearing the chest congestion. You can also make a natural tonic for your child by cooking 1 oz of chopped onion with 2 cups of honey to make thick syrup and give 1 tsp of this syrup to your child every two hours. The anti-bacterial properties combined with the beneficial properties of honey help to cure the common cold quickly and efficiently. In addition to all these, you should try and quarantine your child and keep your child as far as possible from other children to avoid exchange of germs till your child has fully recovered.

COMMON COLD REMEDIES FOR ADULTS

- TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM) FOR COMMON COLDS

The common cold has been around to afflict people throughout recorded history—and probably even before that. In the United States alone, 1 billion people suffer from the ailment in any given year. Though it is most often harmless, its symptoms can interfere with work and play. In some people, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can offer a way to avoid the inevitable recurrence of the common cold. Or, TCM can help relieve the symptoms and perhaps decrease the duration of the cold. Any one of more than 200 viruses is responsible for the common cold. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) might be a way to make the body less inviting for one of these viruses.

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Treatment for the Common Cold




Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a long history of combating infectious disease. One of the highest regarded classical Chinese medicine texts, the Shang Han Lun (Treatise on Cold Damage) written by Zhang Zhong Jing in about 200 AD, is universally regarded as the first medical text to thoroughly describe the developmental stages (pathogenesis) of infectious disease and its treatment at each stage. Over the subsequent centuries, doctors of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have analyzed, debated, and expanded upon the treatment of infectious disease, including the common cold.





Common colds are generally caused by one of three factors: Wind-Cold, Wind-Heat, and Defensive Qi Deficiency (immune weakness). The 'wind' pathogen in TCM often carries other pathogens into the body, such as cold, heat, and dampness. In cases of Wind-Cold, the surface of the body becomes obstructed by the external evil invasion, leading to symptoms of chills, bodyache, cough, runny nose, stiff neck, and a floating-tight pulse. Wind-Heat invasion common cold presents with fever, sweat, thirst, sore throat, a productive cough with yellow phlegm, and a floating-rapid pulse. Defensive (Wei) Qi Deficiency is related to a failure of the body to produce a strong enough immune response to effectively ward off pathogens, leading to frequent colds. These deficiency colds may contain either Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat pathogens, but it is the deficiency that is the root of the problem, leading to a different treatment plan. These patients most often contract Wind-Cold, but have a weak pulse and more fatigue than the other patterns.

• Chinese Herbal Medicine for Common Cold




Many common colds are easily treated with over-the-counter herbal preparations. However, the most important aspect is differentiating the 'cold' as being due to Wind-Heat or Wind-Cold. Typically, feeling feverish, a sore throat, and sweat point to the cause as Wind-Heat. Bodyaches, neck stiffness, and chills generally indicate Wind-Cold. Seeking the guidance of a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) doctor will help you to properly diagnose your condition.




For Wind-Cold invasion, the most commonly used prescriptions include Ma Huang Tang, Gui Zhi Tang, and Ge Gen Tang. Often, these formulas are available in pill form from Chinese herb shops, or can be decocted from raw herbs for the strongest effects.




For Wind-Heat invasion, Yin Qiao San and Gan Mao Ling are conveniently available for use. It is recommended to keep these medicines, which are available in pill form, easily accessible so they may be taken at the first signs of a cold. Often, a consistent usage of Yin Qiao San pills within the first 24 hours of cold symptoms can help you avoid the cold altogether.




For cases of Qi Deficiency, Ren Shen Bai Du Wan is recommended to expel the pathogen and support the production of defensive Qi (immune support). Yu Ping Feng Wan is an excellent formula for bulding the defensive Qi in between colds; consider taking this as a supplement before and after air travel to avoid a cold. When using any of these herbal formulas, it is best to rest, stay indoors, and protect yourself from exposure to wind.




There are a large number of classical and modern herbal formulas used for the treatment of common cold, depending on the patient’s exact constitution and symptoms; seeking the care of an experienced practitioner will provide the best care of your cold, helping to shorten the duration and severity of the condition, as well as prevent future colds.

- ACUPUNCTURE FOR COMMON COLDS

Acupuncture treatment for common colds includes specific points based upon the diagnosis. In cases of Wind-Cold, the acupuncture points Du 16, UB 12, GB20, Lu 7, and LI 4 are primarily used to release the surface and expel wind. Cases of Wind-Cold also benefit from the use of moxibustion; a technique that includes the burning of Ai Ye (mugwort) on several acupuncture points. This warming technique will enhance the effects of treatment, and speed recovery of the patient.

For Wind-Heat, the use of the acupuncture points Du 14, LI 11, and LI4 are effective to clear the heat associated with fever; SJ5 can release the surface and expel Wind-Heat; and Lu 10 and Lu 11 can relieve the toxic-heat that causes a sore throat. Lu5 can be added to the point prescription to calm a cough, and St 40 can be used to help transform phlegm.

In cases of Defensive Qi Deficiency, the primarily treatment will be to tonify the body’s defenses. Acupuncture points UB 12, UB 13, and ST 36 can strengthen the Lung and Spleen Qi to relieve fatigue and prevent reoccurring colds. A scatter needling technique (light and shallow stimulation with the needle tip) used on the upper back will also help strengthen this area against wind invasion.

- CURE FOR THE COMMON COLD

Well, maybe not a cure but a very impressive preventative measure that may keep put your cold surffering days behind you. So far medical science has been unable to provide a cure for the common cold but solid medical evidence has surfaced that many will find surprising. Our bodies defenses can be bolstered to prevent colds in the first place.

A 2006 study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that women who walked a mere 30 minutes a day were 3 times less likely to contract a cold than sedentary women in the study. Other studies have emphasized that moderation is key and that excessive, exhaustive exercise depletes the immune system and increases the overall risk of many illnesses.

So what is it about walking that is so effective? Study authors believe that the moderate exercise such as walking stimulates the production of leukocytes, immune cells that fight infection and inflammation.

Not surprisingly the study found that the longer one engaged in regular walking the stronger they became at warding off colds. Many other studies have shown similar statistics for major diseases affecting America today including the BIG 3: Heart Disease, Type 2 Diabetes and Cancers.

Researches stressed that the best results were found among the study participants as the study progressed inferring that continual daily walking over a period of years builds immunity versus sporadic attempts at exercise.

ECHINACEA

The latest alternative cold cure is echinacea (pronounced eck-in-a-sher), a wild flower that comes from North America. American Indians are said to use the plant for a variety of conditions ranging from cuts and colds to snake bites.

Echinacea is believed to influence our immune system,' says Professor Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University. The plant works by increasing the number of white blood cells in the body that fight off germs and stop viruses from spreading. It may also raise the production of interferon, a protein that prevents the virus from reproducing in cells, killing off the infection.

But the scientific community is divided over whether echinacea really works. Professor Eccles says, 'I have seen five studies that say echinacea does work and five studies that say it doesn't. But it is a specific cure in terms of herbal medicine.'

Echinacea tinctures are available from good health food shops and chemists. Cold sufferers should take three to four drops in water every two hours at the beginning of a cold and then three to four times a day for the next two weeks.

CHICKEN SOUP

The nickname for chicken soup - Jewish penicillin - arose as generations of the Jewish community have seen it as a cure-all for common colds. But there could be a real scientific basis behind the myth.

'A hot tasty drink like soup makes us produce saliva which means more mucus is produced in the airway,' says Professor Eccles. 'This fights off bacteria and viruses as mucus is our natural defence system.'

Although chicken soup by itself is not much of a remedy, chicken soup with garlic would be particularly effective as it combines both cold-busting treatments. A hot drink like honey and lemon would also help as the drink would make us produce saliva while the honey and lemon can help soothe a cough.

- COMMON COLD HOME REMEDIES[Common Cold home remedies and natural cures, Questions and answers ]

Common Cold treatment using Lemon:
Lemon is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it. This should be taken once or twice daily.

Common Cold treatment using Garlic:
Garlic soup is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold, and should be taken once daily. The soup can be prepared by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Garlic contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties, besides several other medicinal virtues. The oil contained in this vegetable helps to open up the respiratory passages. In soup form, it flushes out all toxins from the system and thus helps bring down fever. Five drops of garlic oil combined with a teaspoon of onion juice, and diluted in a cup of water, should be drunk two to three times a day. This has also been found to be very effective in the treatment of common cold.

Common Cold treatment using Ginger:
Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. About ten grams of 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. This decoction should be drunk when hot. Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. It may be taken twice daily.

Common Cold treatment using Lady's Fingers:
Lady's fingers are highly valuable in treating irritation of the throat and a persistent dry cough. This vegetable is rich in mucilage and acts as a drug to allay irritation, swelling, and pain. About 100 gm of lady's fingers should be cut into pieces, and boiled down in half a litre of water to make a decoction. The steam issuing from this decoction may also be inhaled once or twice a day to relieve throat irritation and a dry cough.

Common Cold treatment using Bitter Gourd Roots:
The roots of the bitter gourd plant are used in folk medicine to cure a cold. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal quantity of honey or holy basil leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for colds.

Common Cold treatment using Turmeric:
Turmeric is an effective remedy for colds and throat irritations. Half a teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 30 ml of warm milk, and taken once or twice daily, 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. This mixture should then be drunk by the patient. In case of a running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase the discharge from the nose and provide quick relief.

Common Cold treatment using Tamarind and Pepper:
Tamarind-pepper rasam is also considered an effective home remedy for a cold in South India. Dilute 50 mg tamarind in 250 ml of water. Boil the diluted tamarind water for a few minutes with a teaspoon of hot clarified butter and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder. This steaming hot rasam has a flushing effect, and should be taken three times a day. As one takes it, the nose and eyes water and the nasal blockage is cleared.

Common Cold treatment using Vitamin C:
Regular intake of vitamin C-75 mg for adults and 35 mg for children-will prevent the common cold. If, however, a cold has already appeared, large doses of this vitamin will relieve the symptoms and shorten its duration. He estimates that one to two grams (1000 mg to 2000 mg) per day is approximately the optimum amount of this vitamin for this purpose. His advice is to swallow one or two 500mg tablets of vitamin C at the appearance of the first sign of the cold and continue the treatment by taking one to two 500 mg tablets daily.

Home Remedies for Stuffy Nose:
Inhale turmeric fumes, for this tie some turmeric in a clean cloth and light it. Boil some water and allow it to cool, now add ¼ teaspoon table salt to it. Put 2 to 3 drops of this solution in your both the nostrils before meals and going to bed. Mix natural apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts. Boil this solution in a pan, when the fumes rises lean over the pan and inhale the fumes. Prepare a solution using 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil and Pine Essential Oil, 3 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil and 7 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Inhale vapors of this solution by putting it on a cotton ball or an aromatherapy diffuser.

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