We have seen lots of patients recently with lingering colds. The typical pattern is a couple of days feeling rough, followed by a partial recovery but with lingering symptoms such as a stuffy nose/sinuses or persistent cough. Before immediately going for the non-prescription drugs, it’s worth remembering a few good natural remedies that work just as well, and often much better.

For stuffy sinuses, an aromatic facial steam bath can work wonders. Fill up a bowl with boiling water, add a good few drops of Olbas oil, and breathe in the steam while covering your head with a towel.

For a persistent cough, try getting hold of a throat  spray containing collidal silver. It is anti-bacterial and anti-viral and can help to take the edge off inflamed tonsils. Grape seed extract and garlic also have very powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties.

If you are feeling brave, try this recipe for a honey, lemon and ginger drink with a difference. Use 2 slices of lemon, a spoonful of good honey (Manuka honey has the best natural healing properties), 1-2 inches of ginger root finely chopped, and 2-3 cloves of garlic finely chopped.  Put the ingredients in a big mug, add boiling water, stir well and leave to brew for a good few minutes. In between taking sips of the drink, use a spoon to remove and then eat the ginger and garlic at the bottom of the mug. It’s an intense experience but often just one of these drinks is enough to blast out the remains of that annoying persistent cold.

For those not quite so brave, why not make an aromatic Thai curry, using Thai basil, garlic, coconut milk and lots of chilli. It will help, and is much more pleasant than popping a bunch of pills…

Tags: colds, colloidal silver, garlic, ginger, grape seed extract, honey, Olbas oil