Taking care of a Cold Naturally
By Rita Davidson
Springtime colds have hit our family again. Not so much the kids, but ME this time! Yes, this mama just hates to have a cold, scratchy throat and stuffy sinus’s. Not that I don’t feel for my kids. But when my 3 year old is running around laughing and jumping for joy with his cold, I think it’ can’t be that bad can it?
Colds seem a rite of passage for spring and winter, doesn’t it? Winter colds are often more like a flu, with fever and stomach issues.
Springtime often has more just regular cold symptoms like stuffy nose, or sinus, and scratchy throat.
What is a cold?
When I was studying natural health, I was taught that a cold is good for the body. It is the body’s natural defense in getting out toxins that have built up. I have seen this proven time and time again, in our own family, when we have had colds, that we were left feeling healthier, and stronger after the cold.
How we treat a cold naturally
So, while I whine about having a cold, LOL, I don’t panic. As we regularly take supplements I figure at least our immune system is strong. I highly suggest daily supplements for everyone. (see my post on Supplements here)
My everyday supplements include:
- Vitamin C – 2000mg/day
- B12 – 6000mcg/day
- Vitamin D – 6000ui/day
Plus various other supplements to feed my adrenal fatigue and deficiencies, like Magnesium 1000mg/day, antioxidants, kelp, spirulina and more.
So, during a cold, I might increase
Vitamin D to 12,000ui/day
And perhaps
Vitamin C – 3000mg/per day
But the biggest help I have found for a cold is: Water.
You see, I resort to as much natural things as I can to take care of our help, but I rely more on the body’s ability to heal itself, than I do with taking more herbs or supplements.
When sinus’s are stuffed feeling or painful and throat is sore, the mucus membranes of the body are using it as an outlet to get rid of toxins. The best way to help them do their job is:
- Drink Lots of water. So if your used to drinking 3 cups a day, double that to 6. If you already drink a lot of water, increase that a bit more so that your going to the bathroom a little more often.(that’s your clue) The increased volume of water, helps to flush out the tissues and the accumulated toxins. Soups and things are good too, but keep in mind water is what will carry out the toxins better.
- Steam: While your drinking a lot of water to flush, help your sinus cavities get flushed by steaming. (see Steam instructions below)
- Rest: I know this is unheard of by busy moms. But, often we have to be creative to find rest. Getting a family member to help watch the little ones, or have the older children help (if they are old enough) but just try to get a little nap in the day and go to bed earlier at night will do a wonder of good in getting rid of your cold. Often it is lack of sleep that runs us down and makes us more susceptible to a cold in the first place.
Steam Instructions
- Place a pot of water on to boil. When ready place it on a safe table. (always from little children for example)
- Using a towel, put your head over the pot, but far enough away that it doesn’t burn your sinus’s. Test it by sniffing in the steam a bit, at the highest level of the steam, to see how warm it is at certain heights. When your comfortable at a certain level, start breathing in the steam.
- As it cools go closer to the pot and continue breathing until the water is lukewarm. You will give your face wrinkles a nice steam for your pores and your sinuses will feel so much better. In fact, I’ll bet they’ll feel normal after this!
- So take off the towel, but don’t breathe in right away. That cold air will quickly remove all the good you just did. So, breathe through your mouth for a bit instead. Slowly allow yourself to breathe normally.
- Do this every few hours or 3 times a day when the cold is really bad. This will help a congested chest as well. You will find after a day it is much improved, though maybe not cured, but you will have helped your body to do what it was designed to do!
Another thing I use are essential oils. We have a blend of lemon, cinnamon, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Oregano, Frankincense and clove, we put on our woodstove and steam through the house. We can rub this on the soles of our feet and breathe it in. This helps freshen up the air, and kill any bacteria that might be circulating in the house. Especially popular when you have a whole house getting sick one after another!
Lastly, if your strong enough, I use some T-tapp exercise to flush out toxins. It is the only exercise I recommend for busy moms and moms dealing with compromised health.
So if cold season hits your house, be sure to get lots of fluids, especially water, rest, essential oils and Ttapp and remember how God gave you this cold, just so you could help the Holy souls with your sacrifice this day! They will be forever grateful!
Be well! Xo 🙂
What have you found that helps with your family colds? Share with me below!
©Copyright 2013 Rita Davidson All Rights Reserved.
Rita is a Catholic wife and mother of seven children. Mark is her ever patient husband. She reverted back to the faith when her oldest was making her First Communion. By then, she had completed degrees in Hairdressing and Make up artistry. She went on to receive a degree in Natural Health and another degree in Art. At age 26, Rita suffered a minor stroke. With no lasting effects, this dramatically changed her outlook on life. In 1996, Rita began ‘Little Flowers Family Apostolates’ to reach out to other families with her new found faith, by creating unique Catholic books and resources.. In 1999, she wrote the bestselling, ‘Immodesty; Satan’s Virtue’. She was editor of ‘The Catholic Health Letter’ for 7 years. She has been a homeschooling mom for 20+ years, and has written for various magazines. She is honored that families have trusted her with their questions, needs and concerns over the years. She continues to write and reach out to Catholic families with her husband, Mark and their 4 boys through http://www.LittleFlowersFamilyPress.com
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