what is a cold

8/13/2019 What is a Cold

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What is a Cold?

Who is likely to Catch a Cold?

What are the Symptoms of a Cold?

Conventional Treatment of Colds

Self Help for Colds

Naturopathic Treatment of Colds

Herbal Treatment of Colds

Homoeopathic Treatment of Colds

Acupressure and Aromatherapy for Colds

Colds are caused by virus infections, and are highly contagious. Mucus in the nose and throat ofcold sufferers is full of viruses, and infection is spread by coughing, sneezing, and even

breathing when in a confined space. The viruses that cause colds are constantly changing, so

immunity acquired from one infection does not necessarily protect the individual from furtherattacks.

Who is likely to Catch a Cold?

Anyone can catch a cold, but individuals are more susceptible when they are run down or

suffering from stress, exhaustion or depression. Babies, young children, the elderly, or those

already ill are particularly at risk of catching a cold.

What are the Symptoms of a Cold?

Symptoms of a cold include a runny nose or stuffed-up feeling, sore throat, headache, sneezing,dry cough, loss of appetite and a lack of energy. These symptoms may last for up to three days,

gradually receding over the following seven days. The stuffed or runny nose can last as long as

three weeks.

Conventional Treatment of Colds

These is no effective cure for colds, despite years of research. Symptoms may be alleviated bypainkillers such as paracetamol, and decongestants. Vitamin C is often advised as a means of

preventing catching a cold. Medical practitioners generally acknowledge that a cold should beallowed to clear up naturally at home, but if symptoms last more than a week to ten days,

medical attention should be sought.

Self Help for Colds
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Drink plenty of fluids, particularly cool drinks, for a slight fever to replace fluids lost

through sweating.

Drink the juice of a lemon in a glass of hot water with a teaspoon of honey.

Take painkillers, such as paracetamol in recommended doses for headache and otheraches and pains.

Take small amounts of chopped or crushed garlic several times a day to help prevent

colds.

Inhale steam from a bowl with a towel over your head for several minutes to relieve nasal

congestion. A few drops of Olbas Oil added to the water, which contains menthol, and

eucalyptus, juniper berry, mint, wintergreen, clove and cajaput oils, is very effective in

clearing the head.

Take gentle walks to get fresh air, as soon as you feel well enough.

Do not wrap up in extra clothes or blankets, or overheat the room. Allow the body to lose

heat naturally.

Take an Epsom salts bath. Fill a bath with water as hot as you can bear, so that the body

is immersed up to the neck. Dissolve two handfuls of unpurified Epsom salts in thewater, and soak for as long as comfortable, with a cold water compress on your forehead.

Dry yourself gently, wrap yourself in a sheet, and get into a warm bed. This treatmentshould not be used by the elderly, the very young, or those with high blood pressure.

Naturopathic Treatment of Colds

Naturopathic treatment of colds will advise taking an Epsom salts bath in the early stages of a

cold, avoiding mucus-forming foods such as dairy products, eggs, starch and sugar, and eitherfasting or eating a raw fruit and vegetable diet, including garlic, onions or leeks for two or three

days to help reduce catarrh.

Herbal Treatment of Colds

Hot drinks that promote sweating and ease cold symptoms are advised. The following

should be sipped slowly: 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, the juice of a lemon, a minced

clove of garlic, and one gram of vitamin C mixed in a cup of hot water.

The following herbal teas are also reputed to be beneficial in the treatment of colds:

camomile, coltsfoot (for coughs and congestion), lemon balm, boneset (for fever), elder,pennyroyal and vervain.

Infusions of yarrow, peppermint, ginger and catnip are also recommended.


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Homoeopathic Treatment of Colds

The following homoeopathic remedies can be taken to alleviate cold symptoms:

Aconitum napellusmay prevent a cold developing, if taken on the first sneeze when

feeling suddenly chilly.

Ferrum phosphoricumis also useful at the onset of a cold.

Arsenicum albumis recommended if there is much painful sneezing with waterydischarge, which makes the skin sore, or if the patient is very chilly and thirsty.

Kali iodatumis recommended for a cold caught from exposure, particularly damp, when

the eyes smart and water, and there is much sneezing, with a red, sore nose.

Sambucus nigrais recommended for a persistent cold.

Teucrium marum verumand Wyethiaare recommended for chronic catarrh and laryngitis.

Kali bichromiumorsilicaare recommended for sinus problems.

The appropriate remedy can be taken hourly for up to twelve doses when the cold is severe, and

should be discontinued as soon as the condition improves.

Acupressure and Aromatherapy for Colds

Acupressure may be used to relieve nasal congestion and clear the sinuses. Using a gentle,circular massaging motion, apply the thumb or index finger to two points below the cheekbones,

directly beneath the centre of the eyes, about a fingers width from the end of the nose.

Six to eight drops of cinnamon oil can be added to a warm bath. The oil can also be rubbed

undiluted into the temples, sinus area and chest four times a day. A steam inhalation can bemade by adding two drops of cinnamon oil to a bowl of hot water, which should be inhaled four

times a day.

http://www.vitaminuk.com/pages/articles/whatisacold.htm


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SAMBONG (Bl umea balsami fera (L .) DC.)

Al ibhon, alimony (P.Bis.); ayoban, bukadkad, gabuen, gintin-gintin, haliban, kambihon, lalakdan, lakdandulan

(Bi s.); dalapot (C. Bis.); labulan, sambun (Sul.); sob-sob (Il k.); kaliban (Tag.); takamain (Bag.); blumea

camphor, ngai camphor (Engl.)

Sambong is a remarkable medicinal plant that grows wild in the Philippines. It is commonly usedin capsule form or as teas in the treatment of kidney disorders. Doctors in the Philippines

routinely prescribe Sambong now for the dissolution of kidney stones. Sambong is also known as

a diuretic, and is used in cases of hypertension and mild to moderate congestive heart failure.Sambong is high in essential oils, and contains significant amounts of camphor oil.

Sambong is one of 10 herbs that have been approved by the Department of Health in thePhilippines as being effective in treating certain disorders. The department of Science and

Technology has conducted extensive tests on Sambong. Clinical studies, including double

blind/placebo radomized studies, have shown Sambong to be both safe and effective in the cases

of kidney stones and hypertension. There are Sambong products on the market now in thePhilippines that have been approved by the Bureau of Food and Drugs and are routinely

prescribed by doctors.

The leaves of Sambong are also used as a tea in the Philippines, and as a cure for colds. It is

also said to have antidiarrhetic and antigastralgic properties. It is also used as an expectorant. It is

given for worms and dysentery. It is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs in thePhilippines.

http://philippineherbs.com/sambong/

Here are some health benefits and medicinal properties of camphor oil.

Decongestant:Strong aroma of camphor oil is the most powerful decongestant. It instantly opens

bronchi, nasal tracts, pharnyx, lungs and larnyx congestions. Thereby, used in many decongestant cold

rubs and balms.

http://herbs.ygoy.com/2010/02/27/health-benefits-of-camphor-oil/

Camphor oil is a bactericidal, antiviral, stimulant, expectorant, and is used in deodorants due to its

strong flavor.

Camphor

A strong, warming stimulant that's an excellent antibacterial expectorant & muscle relaxant - has a

clear, fresh smell that clears the nose very well.

http://hubpages.com/hub/benefits-of-camphor-where-to-buy-camphor-oil
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Camphor oil benefits have been reaped by many in the medicinal field. The oil helps in relevinig nasal

congestion andcough,when massaged on the chest. It has the ability to open up congestions of bronchi,

larynx, pharynx, nasal tracts and lungs. Many decongestant balms and cold rubs have camphor oil as one

of their primary ingredients.

The oil is a very useful ingredient in inhalations for coughs, colds and difficulties in breathing. Camphoralso acts as an expectorant and a febrifuge, meaning that it cools fevers and helps clear lung congestion.

These actions, along with camphor's anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties make it a

very useful and popular remedy for colds, flu, and bronchitis.

http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail167.php

PEFR = (Ht 100) 5 + 100

(Ht = Standing height in cm)

What is borneol? What is it used for?

Although borneol is not an herb per se, it is nevertheless a common ingredient in many

traditional Chinese herbal formulas.Borneol is actually a compound derived from dryobalanops

aromitaca, a tree that belongs to the teak family.

The compound is formed by tapping the trunk of the tree, then cooling the substance and

allowing it to harden into a clear crystalline substance.Although some borneol is still made bytapping trees, the vast majority of it is created synthetically from turpentine oil or camphor.The

compound is ground down into a fine powder before it can be used medicinally.

Borneol has a wide range of uses.It aids the digestive system by stimulating the production of

gastric juices; tones the heart and improves circulation; treats bronchitis, coughs and colds; can

relieve pain caused by rheumatic diseases and sprains; reduces swelling; relives stress; and canbe used as a tonic to promote relaxation and reduce exhaustion.In some parts of the world, it is

even used as an insect repellant.

In traditional Chinese medicine, borneol has an acrid, bitter taste and cool properties.It is

associated with the Heart, Lung, Liver and Spleen meridians.

http://www.nutritionalwellness.com/nutrition/herbs/n.php
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