1. Vitamin C to Prevent Colds
oranges and orange juice
Cold and flu season in the U.S. stretches from November to March. As much as 20% of the U.S. population contracts influenza (200,000 are hospitalized and 36,000 die) and most people get two or three colds.
To prevent a cold, try Vitamin C, delivered either the old fashioned way with a daily dose of orange or grapefruit juice, peaches, red peppers or other Vitamin C-rich food -- or with a vitamin supplement. Double up with Echinacea for an added boost.
See the Top 10 Food Sources of Vitamin C. Other natural cold-preventatives include the herb andrographis, zinc and elderberry extract.
thyme
2. Thyme for a Cough
If the worrying news about over-the-counter cough syrup has you down, try this natural alternative:
Add three tablespoons of dried thyme to one pint of boiling water. Let cool, then add one cup of honey. Take one teaspoon every hour as needed. You can store the mix in the fridge for up to three months.
Another option: Vitamin C-rich ziziphus fruit tea.
3. Garlic for a Runny Nose
There's no cure for a runny nose like getting the snot out, and garlic can do the trick.
Just add garlic to your meals for both a short-term treatment and long-term fortification against the next cold or flu virus.
Another idea: Boil water with a drop or two of eucalyptus oil. Stand with your head about 18 inches above the pot to avoid scalding, cover your head and the pot of water with a towel, and breathe deeply.
4. Leafy Greens for Nosebleeds
Dry indoor air, coupled with a sneeze, can be a recipe for nosebleeds.
A daily cup of leafy greens can provide enough Vitamin K to fortify sensitive capillaries and help your blood clot quickly. Kale and collard greens have the highest Vitamin K content, followed by spinach.
Another natural remedy for nosebleeds is yarrow, a flower available as a supplement.
5. Tea for Sore Throats
A little illness can take a lot out of you - like your voice or your desire to speak at all.
For a sore throat, the tea remedy is as old as time, it seems. Try jujube tea for an extra Vitamin C boost.
Other natural sore throat remedies include a goldenseal gargle, or a Pelargonium sidoides supplement.
Related Links
12 Natural Remedies for Winter Aches and Ills
12 Natural Cures for 12 Winter Aches and Ills
Top 10 Food Sources of Vitamin C
Test Your Organic Food IQ
Natural Remedies from Quick&Simple.com
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Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc. Photos: Istock.