Odd methods remedy cold

By: Stephanie Howe

Posted: 12/1/08

Got the sniffles? Get wet socks! While over-the-counter medicines seem to fly off the shelves during the winter, they do not offer a cure; their purpose is to relieve the symptoms of coughs and colds.

If you are one of those people whose side effects seem to be worse than the actual cold itself, there are other methods than medicine to help you feel better.

Remember when your parents gave you chicken noodle soup when you were sick as a kid? Or did you ever have Vicks VapoRub smeared all over your chest? Well, you can actually use wet socks to help your congestion.

First, soak your feet in warm water, then soak thin socks in cold water and wring them out before putting them on. Put dry socks on over the wet ones and go to bed. The wet socks draw blood to your feet and boost your circulation, which helps clear congestion. Soaking your feet in warm water can also help relieve headaches.

Although they say to stay away from sweets while sick, a little chocolate may help that cough.

Chocolate contains theobromine, which suppresses sensory nerves and soothes your throat.

While sick, the last thing you feel like doing is exercising, but studies show that light exercise in fresh air can ease a runny nose, sore throat or sneezing. If your cold has left you with extra wax in your ears, wave a hair dryer over your ears for a few seconds and it will thin out.

Get rest and let your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. When you're well rested, you can get more done. Other preventive measures include remembering to wash your hands and breathing in humidified air. Without humidity, rooms feel colder than they actually are and dry out your skin and mucous membranes. If you don't have a humidifier, you can simply fill a bowl or jar with water and put it near an air vent that will circulate the moisture.

According to www.holistic-online.com, another important thing you can do is increase your fluid intake. Beverages like water, fresh fruit juice or even soups can relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration and can soothe the inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. Avoid drinks that have diuretic properties, such as tea, coffee and especially alcohol, because it depletes the body of vitamin C and puts extra strain on the liver. Alcohol makes the liver work extra hard to detoxify the body during illness.

Chicken noodle soup is inexpensive and has been used since the 12th century to treat colds and asthma as it thins mucus and makes breathing easier, much like taking a hot shower.

As bad as it may taste, gargling with salt water (one teaspoon in a glass of warm water) is effective. Rubbing Vicks under your nose will help you breathe easier and help irritated skin due to constantly blowing your nose.

While fighting off a cold, you should also regulate what you are taking in; some things are much better than others. Spicy food, while it may not make your stomach feel better, can make your eyes watery which in effect does the same to your nose and promotes drainage. Also, foods that contain vitamins A and C, zinc lozenges, garlic and Echinacea can help.

With the stress of finals and winter here already, don't hesitate to go to Beu Health Center or ask a pharmacist when you start to feel sick. Prevention is the best way to get through this winter season.