How to Heal a Cold Without Drugs and Medications
There are two aspects to dealing with a Cold.
- Building immunity
- Reducing the cold symptoms
There are a number of ways to do both.
One of the most effective ways to build immunity is through the use of probiotics. Probiotics are microorganisms provide health benefits when consumed. Most people buy these products in a pharmacy or natural food store but there is a much more effective, potent and cost effective approach. Live probiotic cultures are available in fermented dairy products and probiotic fortified foods. Many fermented products are reported to contain lactic acid bacteria – a form of probiotic. These products include pickled vegetables, fermented bean paste such as tempeh, miso, kefir, buttermilk (karnemelk,) yogurt, kimchi, pao cai, sauerkraut, and soy sauce.
Since I can easily and inexpensively make pickled vegetables, kefir, yogurt and sauerkraut with simple low cost ingredients I have a number of inexpensive health building hacks available to me. Why are probiotics so important to building immunity? Probiotics work in the digestive system which house about 70% of your immune system. As the first line of defense the stomach produces the gastric acids that keep destructive bacteria under control. In is in the intestinal tract, an important part of the digestive system where probiotics support immune function, preventing pathogenic bacteria overgrowth and restore balance.
Recent studies have even shown that the healthier the bacteria in the gut the better cognitive function is possibly even reducing the chances of an individual being afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease.
Also take Ester C, Zinc lozenges, oregano oil, olive leaf extract, elderberry juice and other immune building nutrients to reduce the symptoms of your cold.