They Can Send A Man To The Moon

Does hope exist when battling colds and flu?

Flu and colds are prevalent in winter in most areas of the USA. A huge number of American citizens suffer each year with hacking coughs, sore throats, fevers, headaches and stuffy noses. Flu and cold symptoms may pose risks that threaten life in exceptional instances in people whose immune systems have been severely compromised. Mostly, this condition is very uncomfortable or either just a slight irritation.

Ineffective cold treatments are a billion dollar business.

It is a well known fact that non prescription flu and cold treatments, which include cough suppressants, decongestants and analgesic pain killers, only offer relief at best but can not cure, shorten the duration or prevent flu and colds.

Almost all doctors seem to concede defeat.

A common reaction from doctors is to advise patients suffering from colds and flu symptoms to stay at home in bed, drink a lot of liquids and allow their bodies to rest so that the natural immune system can use its defense mechanisms to combat these viral infections.

Major pharmaceutical companies tell us that they are continually researching and developing cures to relieve flu and cold induced aching muscles and runny noses. Despite the efforts of these companies to reassure us, herbal remedies used for hundreds of years provide much needed relief for many people.

Usually Grandma knows best.

Plenty of good things are said about chicken soup, but other things exist that are also effective, such as fresh lemon juice in boiled water (1 cup) with some honey for extra flavor - drink while tepid. Another option is fresh orange juice in boiled water (1cup) with honey (1/2 teaspoon) and ginger (1/4 teaspoon) added for flavor - drink while tepid.

Sleep evades flu and colds sufferers and to help with this and improve relief still further, the above mentioned drinks can have extra ingredients added, such as a few tablespoons of whiskey, rum or brandy. Other remedies to relieve congestion are: parsley tea daily (steep fresh parsley for a few minutes in hot water) or 3 cups daily of cayenne tea. Upper respiratory problems can be treated using a vaporizer to which 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil has been added.

To combat other problems associated with breathing, try eating spicy food (chili pepper, etc.) and garlic (preferably whole). You can also try gargling with a mixture of water and Tabasco sauce - these things may not have pleasant tastes but they work.

The chemical composites found in chicken broth, parsley, cayenne, honey, ginger, garlic, oranges, lemons and eucalyptus oil are just as effective as any non prescription remedies available in drugstores for the relief of flu and colds.