For those in temperate countries, autumn is upon us and we have both rain and shine. The recent erratic weather in Singapore has also meant that the common cold is prevalent. Inconvenient as it may be, the common cold usually takes a week to 10 days to clear.
Often the culprit is a rhinovirus spread by droplets in the air or by contact with a contaminated individual or item. A cold generally enters the body through your mouth, eyes or nose.
Not keen on popping pills? There are a load of natural remedies for the common cold. Check out our top 5 below:
1. Rest, rest, rest
Get your PJs on, grab your duvet and tissue box and get into some serious R & R (rest and recuperation). A cold is often your body’s way of saying ‘slooooow doooown’. Take heed and take action. Get lots of sleep. Rest.
2. Stay hydrated
Flush that cold out of your system with lots of warm water.
3. Lemon, ginger and honey tea
Juice a fresh lemon, add a slither of ginger and half a teaspoon of honey. Add to boiling water, sieve and serve. Sip, sip, sip.
4. Haldi (turmeric) milk
A personal favourite that we often drink just for fun!
To a small saucepan, add coconut milk, turmeric and black pepper. Bring it to a boil and enjoy. Add half a teaspoon of honey if you prefer something sweet.
Adding chai spices (a spoon of pre-blended cardamom, cinnamon, ginger and fennel seeds) to the mix can boost the flavour. Pepper increases the bioavailability of the turmeric and fat from the coconut milk allows direct absorption into the bloodstream.
5. Garlic and onions
These can be eaten raw or cooked and have excellent antibacterial and antiviral properties.
When we’re down with a cold, we tend to feel less energetic than usual. In that moment of reaching for the sweet treat, pause. This is certainly not going to do you any favours. Sugar is excellent at dampening the immune system which is exactly what you don’t need right now. Avoid any processed foods.
When we’re super stressed or have not gotten enough sleep, our immune system is depressed and therefore, we are way more susceptible to catching coughs and colds.
You’re also more likely to catch a cold if you have been travelling, have a nutrient deficiency or have an unhealthy digestive system as around 70% of your immune system lives in your gut.
Prevention is always better than cure. By staying strong and healthy within ourselves, we reduce the chances of catching a cold or virus. This means eating a real whole food diet with plenty of probiotics, exercising regularly and practicing self-care.
This article was contributed by Dr Surinder Arora, Integrative Dentist & Health Coach
Photo credits: Pixabay and Giphy
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