Cure the Common Cold

We have all done the research. We have all heard of different and unusual cure for the common cold; eat more garlic, chicken broth, Vick's Vapor Rub on the feet. I appreciate a good blog that uncovers all the secrets to my health, but truthfully, none of us are doctors and sometimes the cure is a little out there. The only way to really know if any of these cures work is just to give a good go and see what happens.

I've learned the consequence to my health when it comes to having a toddler and a baby. I have never been so sick in one year, in my entire life. A simple head cold, followed by my first sinus infection, followed by RSV, followed by a kidney infection. In less than four months I had been on antibiotics three times. It was no surprise when another cold started to creep up on me. I had no immune fighters left to fend it off. I had used up all my sick days, seriously could not afford to be sent home again, and all the starter symptoms were there. Headache, tickle in the throat, a little nose run. My toddler, Maximus, was mostly likely the carrier this time around. He had been battling it for a couple weeks.

I put a humidifier in his room, gave him Children's Tylenol. I swear toddlers are just used to it. He goes about his business, wiping boogers on his sleeve, like its just an everyday thing. I, on the other hand, decided it was time to do some serious research.

Most concoctions will say a pinch of cinnamon, or a teaspoon of chili powder, a little of this or that in your tea. Nope, nope, nope, not me. I don't time for a little pinch to do the trick. While I knew that the particular ingredient had its merit, I wanted a serious dose of the cure. Now. So I made my own concoction. I took it 3X a day for 2 days, 2X a day for the next 2 days, and that was it. After the first shot, the symptoms actually subsided, returned slightly the next morning, I continued with my dosage, the cold never came. No sick days. Phew!

Not long after, my husband, came down with it. Now, he was full-fledged sick as a dog. He tends to not complain of being sick (lucky me). He has to be pretty miserable to even say anything. Finally, he complains of having this horrible cold. So I pulled out my cure, sliced up some lemons, and pulled out the honey. and warmed up the elixir in a shot glass. After 3X times of taking it that day he was right as rain. Said it was the only thing that felt like it was actually working. He continued for a few more days for extra measure. The elixir cured his cold. Stopped it dead in its tracks.

So here is how I like to take my medicine: suck on the lemon slice, shoot the elixir in a shot glass (warmed for 20 sec) and lick a dollop of honey off your hand. I don't know why I decided to do that way. I suppose it is because I am not a fan of apple cider vinegar at all, and this makes it just so drinkable.

My recipe awaits you below followed by the research to each cold curing ingredients. In addition, to these ingredients, you may also add a little whiskey to make it a night time cold medicine. Hope you feel better!

Honey

"All honey is antibacterial, because the bees add an enzyme that makes hydrogen peroxide,” said Peter Molan, director of the Honey Research Unit at the University of Waikato in New Zealand...Honey helps with coughs, particularly Buckwheat Honey . In a study of 110 children, a single dose of buckwheat honey was just as effective as a single dose of dextromethorphan in relieving nocturnal cough and allowing proper sleep." -Real Food For Life

 Cinnamon

"Inflammation in the body is incredibly important. It helps the body fight infections and repair tissue damage. However, inflammation can become a problem when it is chronic (long-term) and directed against the body’s own tissues.

Cinnamon may be useful in this regard, because some studies show that the antioxidants in it have potent anti-inflammatory activity Cinnamaldehyde, the main active component of cinnamon, may help fight various kinds of infection.

Cinnamon Oil has been shown to effectively treat respiratory tract infections caused by fungi. It can also inhibit the growth of certain bacteria, including Listeria and Salmonella (30, 31). The antimicrobial effects of cinnamon may also help prevent tooth decay and reduce bad breath (32, 33, 34).

Bottom Line: Cinnamaldehyde has antifungal and antibacterial properties, which may reduce infections and help fight tooth decay and bad breath." -Authority Nutrition

Cayenne

"Anti-Irritant Properties: Cayenne has the ability to ease upset stomach, ulcers, sore throats, spasmodic and irritating coughs, and diarrhea. 

Anti-Cold and Flu Agent: Cayenne pepper aids in breaking up and moving congested mucus. Once mucus begins to leave the body, relief from flu symptoms generally follows.

Migraine Headache Prevention: This may be related to the pepper’s ability to stimulate a pain response in a different area of the body, thus reverting the brain’s attention to the new site. Following this initial pain reaction, the nerve fibers have a depleted substance P (the nerve’s pain chemical), and the perception of pain is lessened.

Detox Support:  Cayenne is a known circulatory stimulant. It also increases the pulse of our lymphatic and digestive rhythms. By heating the body, the natural process of detoxification is streamlined. Cayenne also causes us to sweat, another important process of detoxification. Combined with lemon juice and honey, cayenne tea is an excellent morning beverage for total body detox." -Global healing Center

Apple Cider Vinegar

"According to Prevention.com, drinking a tablespoon or two of ACV at the first onset of a cold or the flu—or when someone close to you has it — will help prevent the full on bout of sick.

The main reason this works is that apple cider vinegar, as acidic as it tastes, actually helps to alkalize your body (most of us are more acidic). A body that’s more alkaline may be more effective at fighting off viruses that cause colds and the flu. So adding in a wee bit of the tart, tangy vinegar can help." -Organic Authority

  Lemon Juice :

"Lemons are loaded with Vitamin C , which is known to support the body’s natural defenses. Lemon (and lime) juice is reported to decrease the strength of the cold and flu virus in the body and reduce phlegm." -Doctor Oz

Whiskey :

"Moderate alcohol intake on a regular basis has been linked to improved lung function...Research is still mixed about the effects of alcohol on inflammation and the immune system, but in moderate amounts it is unlikely to cause any negative side effects for immunity. In general, moderate alcohol use is unlikely to negatively impact the frequency or severity of colds." -Healthline 

I'm Caving.. Just today

I'm just not going to make it today. A night up with our 10 month old is putting more water than soda to the test. Been up since 3:30 AM, had 2 thermoses of hazelnut coffee and nap time is knocking. Still have 4 1/2 hours to go. So this lunch break, I'm caving. One cold Diet Pepsi please!

February: Clean Eating Plan

Well, I suppose this is truly when you begin this journey. The first true step towards a better you. This month drink more water. Specifically, your body weight divided in half is the magic number of ounces to shoot for. Without revealing too much here, I for example have a goal of 64 ounces of water a day. bottled water makes it easy the ounces are listed so I can keep track.

In turn, I also will slowly let go of the daily Diet Pepsi I consume. I'll have to find an alternative for my afternoon kick. Red Bull probably isn't the answer. Although I am no so sure lemon water is going to cut it. hmm, I suppose I need to investigate the alternatives.... Pretty good list here on Every Day Health. I think iced tea is a great alternative. At least, until I kick caffeine altogether.

January: Clean Eating Plan

I suppose this is more like "Month 1" since it is already February and you are starting now. I used January as a month of observation. I wanted to really think out my plan, which month I would do what, what would I cut, what would I add, and just how bad is said diet right now.

I observed that I eat way too much fast food, I don't drink enough water, I am hardly exercising (who would, it is Idaho and it is freezing!) and where did all the veg go in my diet? All that must change.. starting in February I am not putting down this cheeseburger.

The Month by Month Plan to Clean Eating

So I'm just going to dive right into this one. I say that but I have contemplated how I wanted to do this for some time. I have a condition called Endometriosis. It is painful, has required surgery every few years, caused infertility and loss of pregnancy, I got pretty sick and tired of being sick and tired. We were not getting pregnant, a hysterectomy is all that was being suggested to me, and I was feeling more and more determined to just figure it out myself.

I had an "ah ha" moment over the silliest thing. Chicken eggs, omega 3 chicken eggs. I randomly thought, how do they get omega 3 into the chicken egg? So this day and age being what it is, I googled it. They feed the chickens Omega 3 rich foods. That's it... a simple you are what you eat ( and so is your baby maker.)

I knew that diet was going to be my answer. I tirelessly researched my condition, hormones, the effects of different foods in my body. How it effects pain, estrogen, etc. I came up with a diet that would cure me of my pain and just maybe would help me carry to term. And so I began... abruptly.

The next day I went full fledged into a diet that should be more or less eased into. No sugar, nicotine, alcohol, gluten, soy, preservative, chemicals, dairy, red meat, or caffeine. I added more greens, varying grains, protein alternatives, I found exceptions to the rule that made it bearable. And slowly I adjusted to feeling better than I ever had before. I was pain free.

I am going to cut through the rest of the story since 3 years later I am picking this all back up. I started this clean diet and 6 months later I was pregnant. I did have to take hormones the first trimester, but finally I had my son. I did lose the diet however, once I got pregnany all my little sugar fiend wanted was glazed doughnuts. If anyone reading this has ever had a craving, you know how this story ends already.

Well my second pregnancy was no different. Both pregnancies I caved on this diet. And now, I am all done being pregnant. I have my two beautiful boys Maximus and Cassius. It's time to do something for myself. I want this healthy diet back. I am not going to be so abrupt this time around. I have devised a month to month plan. Each month I cut something out and add something in. By the end of the year I should be feeling pretty darn good.

Each month I will blog the next step on the plan. I'd love so support and to give some as well so feel free to join in!