Help with my cold?

[drolemil]

So, I have just gotten a cold. I have a constant runny nose, sore throat, and funny feeling in your brain feeling like someone knocking a gong on repeat. The main issue is the nose. It could be from detox as I've been 100% for 3 months now and have yet to see a major change, or because the spring is rolling in.

Any advice? What sorts of foods should I target and any methods for faster recovery naturally? I hate having to constantly wipe my nose and I do not want to miss any school. I've heard of honey in tea, but I'm strictly vegan.

[Thick]

Drink lots of water, eats foods high in zinc like pumpkin seeds/strawberries etc, eat vitamin c foods and get plenty of sleep.

I was going to suggest honey, as I eat it by the spoonful plain if I feel bad, but I do understand your aversion.

Gargling with hot salty water or apple cider vinegar really, really helps.

I also use drops of Rescue Remedy, a Bach flower remedy...but I can't explain why exactly=)

[sport]

I think that using a neti pot would help.

[drolemil]

Thank you, Thick! I'll specifically eat some more zinc-full foods as soon as I hit breakfast. I can make some vinegarette-based salad for dinner the next few days, too. :) Long live good health~

[drolemil]

Sport, I just googled a neti pot. This may be a solution to a life-long problem! :) I've always had a runny nose, but it disappeared when I moved to a dry climate and only returns when I'm sick.

[DebB]

Just this morning our yoga teacher said she drinks licorice tea when she's getting a cold. I've never had it (didn't even know there was a licorice tea). *Ü*

[drolemil]

DebB, black licorice was one of my favorite not-raw treats! I'll be sure to check it out. I'm assuming it's anise or fennel, correct?

[DebB]

Hi ~ I'm sorry, I don't know. I will see if I can email her and let you know! *Ü*

(I sent her an email and will post back when she replies)

[DebB]

I heard back ~ here's her reply: ;)

At the Health food stores and in the health food sections of Fred Meyer and Safeway, they have several teas which help with respiratory ailments. The one I should have stock in is by "Traditional Medicinals" is called "Throat Coat." They also make "Breathe Easy" which has a great deal of licorice root and I use as well.


The ingredient that does the "trick" is licorice root. That's what to look for on the label.


Throat Coat has the following in one tea bag:
licorice root 760 mg
slippery elm bark 80 mg
licorice root dry aqueous extract 60mg
marshmallow root 60 mg
1,040 mg blend of wild cherry bark, better fennel fruit, cinnamon bark, and sweet orange peel


It doesn't taste good but if I have laryngitis, it usually gives me enough voice to speak.


I hope this helps.

[Thick]

Licorice tea does taste good. In fact, I've read that licorice, calorie free, is 50xs sweeter than sugar.

It's mostly for throat and breathing issues though, not really for immune system. It helps, though!

Btw, the neti pot is such a good recommendation!

[sport]

Sport, I just googled a neti pot. This may be a solution to a life-long problem! :) I've always had a runny nose, but it disappeared when I moved to a dry climate and only returns when I'm sick.

Great. You can get a plastic one for traveling but you can get a nice ceramic one to have at home. Just add a good quality salt to the water and you will get in the habit after a while. When you have been doing it for a while you will love it and the clean feeling you get after it.

[drolemil]

I'll be sure to check out the tea, it sounds great! Thanks so much for all the feedback, too. :)