The Difference between the Common Cold and Flus
The flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different types of viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar flu-like symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, the flu comes on quickly (within 3-6 hours), and is worse than the common cold, and symptoms such as fever, body aches, extreme tiredness, and dry cough are more common and intense.
Colds are usually milder than the flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose, productive cough, slight tiredness, and limited body aches. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations.
HERBS REPUTED TO HELP:
Cayenne Pepper & Apple Cider Vinegar
At the onset of symptoms, mix 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne powder and 1 teaspoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of very warm water. Drink 3x/day.
The cayenne helps to flush out the bacteria and viruses responsible for the cold or flu by causing eyes to water, skin to sweat, nose to run, and lungs to discharge. This rush of fluids from the body carries out the invisible microbes responsible for such infections. Apple Cider Vinegar is very effective at alkalinizing the body and in detoxifying various organs in the body together with the blood stream. Hence it is a blood purifier and as it has the ability of breaking down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body.
Black Elderberry
WebMD Health News, Dec. 22, 2003: “Sambucol, a black elderberry extract, appears to short-circuit flu symptoms, a new study shows. A small study published five years ago showed that 93% of flu patients given Sambucol were completely symptom-free within two days; those taking a placebo recovered in about six days.”
Echinacea
Echinacea is arguably the most popular herbal remedy for colds currently being used in the US, with annual sales over 72 million dollars a year. Echinacea tea, tablets, and liquid drops are available at almost any corner drugstore. Take as directed on package.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES:
Dosage: Dissolve 3 pills under tongue, 3-5 times each day until symptoms are gone
Aconite napellus 30C
For colds/flu with a fever that begin suddenly after exposure to cold, cold wind, frights, shocking news, or any other emotional episode. Best if used at the very onset of symptoms.
Belladonna 30C
For colds/flus that come on fast and furious and the patient is feverish and flushed whether their major symptoms are sore throat, ear congestion, or nasal/chest congestion. It is considered the premiere remedy for treating strep throat.
Mercurius 30C
For colds/flus that cause a sore, scratchy throat, raw noses and thick yellow discharge; it is also used for ear infections and tonsillitis.
Kali Bichromate 30C
“Kali Bich when its thick” is the keynote of this remedy, referring to thick, ropey white mucous. It is known for helping break down thick, ropy, sticky, tough, stubborn mucus, helps clear away sinus congestion, post nasal drip, hawking, blocked nasal passages, stubborn gagging coughs, plus related stomach distress and migraine-like headaches.
Kali Mur 30C
Kali mur helps improve symptoms before they can mature into yellow stubborn mucus congestions. These include sinus pains, ear pains, sore throat, a hard cough with white mucus, and swollen glands as well. Excellent for “ear congestion” – ears that feel like they have cotton stuffed in them or as if there is moisture in them.
Ferrum phosphoricum 30C
For colds/flu with cough, chills, inflammation, congestion, fevers.
Gelsenium 30C
For flus that come on slowly, linger, and last a long time; patients is drowsy, droopy, dull, and dumb. Often used as a follow up to other remedies when the patient just can’t seem to recover.
Antimonium Tart 30C
Stubborn, hard coughs.
SUPPLEMENTS:
Vitamin C
The human body cannot biochemically make the vitamin C that they need, so they must get it in their diet. Naturalnews.com: “High-dose vitamin C therapy, the kind that uses upwards of 1,000 times the U.S. Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) or Daily Reference Intake (DRI), has been shown in legitimate clinical studies to cure all sorts of illnesses. In the 1940s, Dr. Frederick Klenner, a specialist in chest diseases, successfully cured 41 cases of viral pneumonia using high doses of vitamin C.”
Dosage: The RDA is 60 mg daily, but natural health practitioners suggest 1-2000 mg daily.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is made when you expose significant amounts of your skin to the sun. It takes about 20 minutes a day to make what you need. The vitamin D blocks the sites on cells where viruses normally attach. Several studies have conclusively proven that taking vitamin D significantly reduces your chances of getting the flu or a cold. (www.mercola.com)
Dosage: 2000 to 4000 international units (IUs) daily during flu/cold season.
Iodine
Iodine is an essential element (one not made by the body and must be ingested). Although its main function is in the production of thyroid hormones by the thyroid gland, other organs in the body have a need for iodine in order to function normally. Iodine kills all single-celled organisms and viruses that can causes colds are flus, and, as of yet, they never become resistant to it.
