Getting a Cold or Flu? Get Better Fast!

This is an old trick that works very well - if you do it exactly as described below. It's best to complete the steps as fast as possible.

1. Have a hot shower - as hot as you can stand.Get into a bath filled with tepid (only slightly warmer than cold) water.
2. Splash yourself with water as much as possible for about 20-30 seconds.
3. Rub yourself down briskly with a dry towel.
4. Dress in warm comfortable pyjamas or clothing.
5. Get into bed and sleep for a minimum of 2 hours. All night is better.

Why it works: This process helps your white blood cells ('the good guys') become more active and fight harder against the virus that has infected your body.

Everyone tells you to drink lots of water when you're sick. But that's a lot harder to do than it sounds, isn't it? However this way is sure to help if the following instructions are followed:

1. Fill a bottle or bottles with 2 litres of water.
2. Make sure you're doing something you're comfortable doing in one spot such as reading a book. 
3. Set a timer and drink the water in 2-3 hours at most. The faster the better.

Why it works: Water helps your body to flush out all the bad virus cells and speeds up its processes. Sitting in one spot allows you to remember to drink and measuring the water makes sure you know you've drunk a lot.

A hot day is a great time for a tossed salad but in midwinter, when most colds occur, it's another story. However now is the time to steel yourself and have a good healthy salad.

1. Chop up as many salad greens as possible - sprouts, lettuce and baby spinach are a good start.
2. Chop up some raw garlic and raw ginger - as much as you think you can stand.
3. Mix in other favourite salad ingredients such as tomato, carrot and beetroot.
4. Cover with lemon juice and toss.

Why it works: Garlic, ginger and lemon juice all have healing properties that help your body. They are most potent when taken fresh and raw. They are also great for preventing a cold.

Sore throats can be a pain - a pain in the neck that is. This drink is especially good if you have bronchitis or can barely swallow.

1. Boil some water.
2. Mix fresh lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey in a cup.
3. Add boiling water and mix till honey is melted.

Why it works: Honey has a soothing effect on the throat and lemon juice helps combat your cold. This drink goes down easy and keeps you hydrated. 

I've tried to mention only the less common remedies for the common cold in the above article. However there are plenty of more common remedies you can try:

• Lots of rest.
• Humidifiers.
• Avoid strenuous excercise - this will stress your healing body too much.
• Avoid alcohol & coffee.
• Hot soup.
• Nasal spray.
• Over the counter cold & flu medicine.
• A prescription antibiotic from your doctor.
• Keeping nose and lips moist. Water helps, but so does natural healing lip balm.