How to Kick a Cold in 2 Days
A virus is an imbalance of the air, space, water, and earth elements in the body. These elements are considered to be “cold” elements in Ayurveda, so the name of the virus makes good sense. The virus enters the sinuses and will thrive if they are dry.
The sinuses are a space in the body and excess air in the sinuses will dry them out. The mucous that builds up in the sinuses during a cold is a mixture of earth and water. Healing a cold requires boosting immune response, bringing heat (fire element) into the body, preventing bacterial growth that leads to a sinus infection, and bringing moisture into the environment. Colds often cause post-nasal drip, which leads to bronchitis. Mucous in the sinuses that is present during a cold is a wonderful place for bacteria to grow. For these
reasons, it is important when treating a cold to prevent it from becoming a sinus infection or bronchitis.
Treatment: This is the regimen I use to kick my colds, which I can typically get over in 2 days.
Stay home and rest!
Echinacea and Elderberry tea: Echinacea improves immune response. Elderberry has been clinically proven to have antiviral properties (it kills viruses). Always cover tea when steeping to prevent the loss of effective components in the steam. Drink 3 cups per day. If the Echinacea doesn’t make your tongue tingle, it’s not effective. I recommend Traditional Medicinals brand Echinacea Elder tea.
Ginger tea:
Ginger works in the body through the same mechanisms as aspirin to provide pain relief and bring down inflammation. I drink 3 cups per day to ease pain in the sinuses during a cold. Be careful if you are taking an anti-inflammatory (like Tylenol or Alleve) to take ginger 2 hours away from the medication. I recommend the Yogi brand Ginger tea because it is a medicinal blend that also contains herbs to benefit the lungs.
Colds thrive in dry environments, so take warm showers to breathe the humid air and if not too congested, use a neti pot to irrigate sinuses 3 times per day. Never use tap water for the neti pot unless you have boiled it to kill bacteria. I use distilled water. Place a humidifier in whatever room you are in most of the day, and add eucalyptus oil to the water. Eucalyptus has antibacterial properties and is healing to the sinuses and lungs.
Spicy food: I eat very spicy foods soups when I am sick – red curry, green chilies, and soup with Sriracha hot sauce. Spicy foods
act as diaphoretics (sweat-inducers) which help to eliminate the virus from the body.
No dairy or sugar: Dairy increases congestion by boosting your body’s ability to make mucous. Sugar enhances bacterial growth.
Supplements: Paratoxi-bon (prevents bacterial growth that can lead to a sinus infection and bronchitis) and Funghi-bon (has antiviral properties). I take 2 of each 3 times per day. These supplements are only available through healthcare practitioners like myself. For a more empowered approach, you can eat 1-2 raw cloves of garlic per day while you are sick (cut them up and swallow the pieces like pills), take Goldenseal capsules to kill bacteria, and tincture of Oregano. Goldenseal capsules and Oregano tincture are available at Whole Foods and MOM’s. I would take them three times per day at the dose recommended on the package. Although my symptoms are typically gone by the end of 2 days, I take my supplements for 7 days. I then take a probiotic supplement for another 7 days to replenish beneficial bacteria.
Prevention: Keeping your immune system strong will help you to fight viruses and infections when they come along. Having a strong
immune system will also help you to get sick less often. Ways to boost immunity:
·
Move around for at least 30 minutes daily.
I’m not talking pumping iron at the gym, but just movement doing something you like, such as walking in a nice park or doing Yoga.
Of course, if you enjoy pumping iron, you can do that too. Exercise keeps the lymphatic fluid flowing smoothly, which is the system
responsible for your immune responses.
Eat whole foods whenever possible, and eat more vegetables than fruits.
Processed foods contain ingredients your body doesn’t recognize as food. These ingredients clog the circulatory channels of the body and contribute to congestion of the lymphatic fluid. Fruit contains fructose, which clogs the liver when eaten in excess to satisfy sugar
cravings.
Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night.
Be aware of replacing sleep with caffeine. Don’t underestimate the power of being well-rested.
Drink plenty of water.
You should attempt to drink ½ your bodyweight in ounces of water daily (150 pounds = 75 ounces of water). I recommend getting a large water bottle and setting a goal to refill it a certain number of times each day. If you are dehydrated, your body is more vulnerable to cold and flu viruses.
Keep the nasal passages moist.
Rub a few drops of oil onto the septum daily in the morning and at night. Use ghee, coconut or sesame oil. When you breathe, you will inhale particles of the oil to bring moisture into the sinuses. Remember, cold viruses will thrive if the sinuses are dry.