Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Home Remedies to fight colds!

Along with getting your flu shot, there are some good ways to stay healthy through the holidays!  We at the Johnson Adult Day Program have some great Home Remedies that we thought we would share.

Get plenty of Sleep!  It is recommended to get 7 hours of sleep a night to help boost your immune system.  Using a protective pillow cover can also help to prevent a runny, stuffy nose!  If you have trouble sleeping, try some mind-calming exercises!

Be sure to get in Moderate Exercise!  If you get 30-90 minutes of moderate exercise a week it has been proven to increase immune function!  (Make sure it's MODERATE exercise!  Prolonged high intensity can actually make you more susceptible to getting a cold!)

Hot and Cold Showers actually help!  Temperature fluctuations jump start the immune system.  It is suggested that at the end of your shower, turn the temperature to as hot as you can stand it for 30 seconds, then turn it down as cold as you can stand for 10 seconds, and repeat.  Do a total of 3 times (ending on cold).  Steamy showers also help to keep nasal passages clear and prevent bugs.

Anyone want an Oyster Sandwich??  Oysters have high quantities of Zinc, which is proven to support and enhance the immune system.  If you aren't big into oysters, zinc-fortified breakfast cereals, baked beans, or pumpkin seeds might be more to your liking.  Taking zinc at the first sign of a cold has been shown to reduce a cold's duration!

Vitamin D helps regulate your immune system!  Drink plenty of milk, eat fatty fish such as salmon, or live in a sunny climate to increase the body's stores of vitamin D.  Otherwise, a supplement is a great thing to take (in addition to a daily multivitamin).

Nasal Rinses and Neti Pots cleanse the nasal passages with a salt water solution that helps push germs out.  (Be sure to clean neti pot or nasal irrigation system with soap and water after using!)

Drink plenty of water and other fluids.  It helps to loosen congestion and prevent dehydration.

Salt water gargle's help to temporarily relieve sore and scratchy throat.

Vitamin C cuts cold symptoms by 85%!!!  Drink orange juice, take a supplement, eat an orange... You'll be glad you did!

Garlic contains allicin, which is a cold-fighting compound.  Eat fresh, raw garlic or it does come in pill form.  It can help you feel better!  (Warning: might give you stinky breath!)

Honey calms a cough and helps you sleep.

Herbs such as Echinacea, Ginseng, Ginger and Elderberry and proven to be a folk remedy for cough, colds, sore throats, and even sinus infections and the flu!

Vicks Vaporub on the soles of your feet helps to kill colds!  The body will absorb the menthol through your feet and helps you to feel better fast!  (Also if you put Vicks on your toes and put a sock over, it will help to kill foot fungus!)

Stay Healthy!

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