The dreaded cold and flu season is fast approaching. As a holistic nutritionist and true warrior against illness, I have researched the best cold remedies that are natural, work fast, and are gentle on the body. The truth is, the only way to go fast is to go natural. You will recover faster using holistic methods than if you take toxic-free medications. So, to make sure you avoid a cold, or heal one, here are my eight powerful remedies to do so.
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8 Secrets to eliminate the cold.
At the first sign of a cold, start drinking an “immune juice.” It’s packed with powerful disease-fighting foods like parsley (fights infection), horseradish (great for cleansing the sinuses) and garlic (important antiviral).
1 . Immune Juice.
Ingredients:
1 bunch of parsley.
2 lemons.
1-inch-thick round horseradish root.
1 orange.
1 5-inch piece of fresh ginger or several pieces that add approximately that amount.
2 inches of turmeric.
1 large clove of garlic.
1 cucumber.
2 stalks of celery.
In this juice you will have to extract the juice of the cucumber, ginger, turmeric, celery and radish, grind it in a blender with the perjile, the garlic, the squeezed lemon juice and Orange.
2 . Immune Soup.
This recipe is a great alternative to chicken soup. It’s a flavorful and nutritionally sophisticated blend of some of the best antiviral foods, including mushrooms and broccoli. Use the recipe below to sip your goodbye to illness.
Ingredients:
¾ teaspoons extra virgin olive oil or coconut oil.
1 large onion, thinly sliced.
2 garlic cloves, crushed.
½ tablespoon minced fresh ginger.
2 oz shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly sliced.
1 large carrot, thinly sliced.
1 ¼ pieces of astragalus root (about 15 inches total).
5 cups mushroom broth.
1 tablespoon tamari or low sodium soy sauce.
Sea salt.
1 cup broccoli.
¼ cup chives, chopped.
Instructions:
Heat the oil over medium heat in a large pot. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger and sauté until smooth and translucent.
Add the shitake mushrooms, carrots, astragalus root and mushroom broth. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat and simmer for 45 minutes.
Add tamari and adjust the seasoning if you need. Add broccoli and cook 2 minutes. Remove the pieces of astragalus root. Garnish with chives before serving.
3 . Probiotics.
Every time you get sick, you have to increase the consumption of the good intestinal bacteria. The friendly Flora helps produce antibodies to fight the virus and aids in the absorption of vitamins. Therefore, improving your probiotic intake is a must. You can get your probiotics by supplementing or by consuming probiotic-rich foods like miso, kimchi, sauerkraut, or kefir.
Grapefruit/Grapefruit Seed Extract.
Grapefruit seed extract has been found to be an effective antimicrobial agent, and is a true excellent supplement. Add 40 drops to an empty capsule and take one capsule twice a day. In a matter of hours, the difference is incredible.
5 . No sugar.
Sugar drastically lowers your immune function, so if you’re starting to feel bad, don’t go for something sweet.
6. Sleep more.
Get a minimum of eight hours of sleep. If you are really sick, take the day off. I know work calls, but your body only heals while you rest. Give yourself permission to get some sleep.
7. Reduce stress
The disease develops in a stressed body. So, to avoid illness, make relaxing activities part of your weekly routine. Try getting a foot massage, making time for that yoga class, or taking a 30-minute walk.
8. Vitamin D from the Sun
Your body needs vitamin D to activate T cells that fight pathogens. And the best way to get your D is to sunbathe. Try some sun exposure for 20 minutes, between 8 am-10am or between 4pm and 6pm, when the sun is not too strong. And don’t wear sunglasses, as a good way to synthesize vitamin D is through your eyes.