1 - Take Herbs - the Right Way
Echinacea has long been known to aid in fighting colds. But do you know the best way to take it? According to New Jersey-based clinical herbalist David Winston, for the full effect, you need a much larger dose than is typically recommended on product labels. He advises taking 3/4 teaspoon of an Echinacea purpurea tincture every two to three hours, starting as soon as you feel a cold coming on. Continue this up to a few days after your symptoms have faded.
For some extra immune support, he suggests pairing echinacea with the herb amla (aka - Indian gooseberry). This is an adaptogen that builds resistance to stressors. During cold and flu season, take two 250 mg capsules twice daily.
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2 - Put the Kettle On
Hot tea can be a staple when battling a cold. It doesn't just sooth the nerves. It also moistens mucous membranes thereby bringing relief from cold symptoms. Green tea can be especially helpful in keeping a cold at bay by means of its antioxidants known to kill or inhibit the growth of certain viruses. Studies show that drinking 3 cups of green tea a day can be an effective preventative measure to fending off a cold.
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3 - Pop Some Probiotics
Probiotics - known for taming tummy troubles - can also lessen the length and severity of a cold. They help to stimulate white blood cells thereby enhancing your defenses against cold viruses. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine found that taking daily probiotic supplements led to a major drop in cold symptoms among a group of athletes. Suzanne Tang, a naturopathic doctor in Costa Mesa, Caifornia, suggests taking a probiotic supplement in refrigerated capsule form containing 10 billion Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifodobacterium longum, and Bifidobacterium bifdum bacteria per daily dose throughout the cold season.
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4 - Don't Ditch Your Workout
Our natural inclination when the sniffles start is to curl up on the couch with a warm blanket and sleep away the day. However, according to Tang, while vigorous activity can weaken immune function, moderate exercise might enhance immunity an shorten the duration of a cold. At the onset of cold symptoms, endeavor to get a half hour of daily moderate intensity activity like a brisk walk or bike ride. Tai chi is also known to be gentle yet effective in warding off viral infections. Be sure to balance with the right amount of rest. Go to bed early and get your full 8 hours of sleep.
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