Time to wrap up
Jules tells us….
I’ve had my first cold of the season. I’d like to think that it’s the last, but on previous form that is unlikely. It wasn’t too bad; not a ‘man-flu’ or anything that serious. More of a couple of days of sniffles coughs and sneezes building up into one day that was quite miserable. Now it’s all done and dusted and my thoughts are “good, I’ve got that out of the way, and my immune system is all built up and ready to face the on-coming winter months with gusto!” I think this every year, but what generally happens is that just when I feel all well and healthy, along comes another bug or virus, and down I go again. Or perhaps more to the point along comes the Festive Season!
Today I was informed that it is just over 90 days before Christmas! Yes, I know, autumn has barely showed its pretty red- brown leaves, and there I am harping on about Christmas. Sorry! But my thought was more about the continued assault on our health and immune system caused by the long hours socialising at parties, the endless drinks and nibbles you’re (ahem) forced to consume. I know I’m not the only one to spend Christmas day – or worse, New Years Eve – full of sniffles, self-pity and in a cranky mood because I can’t taste my all-time-favourite thing, Christmas pudding!
So this year I could be different, and go out of my way to keep fit and healthy in autumn. Eating well will help – I know that is obvious, but when it turns colder all I want is a plate full of carbs. I could try eating less pasta and more vegetables (something that shouldn’t be too hard for a vegetarian you’d think!). Swimming is good and long walks ending in nice, warm, cosy pubs are great. All I need to do is avoid the drinking and eating part of the pubs, and not pick up any nasty illness from the pool … easy!
But if my good intensions fail, and I fall prey to another cold, I can always take solace in the idea of catching up on my reading, finishing the box set I got for last Christmas while eating loads of pasta to build up my strength – all as part of my recovery programme. Not all bad really.
To help out our Aussie and with the cold season coming upon us we thought we’d go over some of Grandma’s cures
Hot toddies. For years I thought this was a myth even as I happily drank them! Research shows that a hot toddy’s mixture of piping hot water, whiskey, and lemon can provide a lot of relief. Alcohol has an anti-inflammatory effect on mucous membranes and can help reduce fever. And according to Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University, “Hot fluid has a demulcent and soothing action . . . those containing slightly bitter flavours such as lemon and citric acid are particularly beneficial.”
Chicken soup. The number-one icon of cold relievers, this one’s been claimed by almost every granny. Guess what? They were all right!
Research published in the journal Chest revealed that this traditional cure-all is the most effective remedy to help you recover from a cold. Heat is the key, so any soup will work to a degree, as it promotes airway secretions and has a calming action on inflamed throats. But chicken soup’s combination of fats, spices, and water seems to work best when it comes to breaking up mucus.
Feed a cold; starve a fever. The jury’s still out on this one. Dutch researchers have found that the balance of two chemicals that regulate the immune system seem to shift markedly when eating and fasting, leading to a theory that eating less during a cold may shorten its duration. However, most nutritionists would disagree, because your body needs more nutrients when fighting an illness. Balancing the two, meaning small and nutrient-dense meals at regular intervals, is probably the best compromise.
Garlic. Crushed garlic mixed with warm milk? we can’t claim to be sold that this vile concoction did anything but scare a cold out of you. However, some research seems to show that large amounts of garlic can shorten the duration of a cold. Allicin, an active compound in garlic, is known to act as a decongestant, and garlic is known to have high antioxidant properties.
Sweat it out. This old wives’ tale has merit, but not in the traditional manner. Cuddled up to a hot water bottle seems to be the exact opposite of how to induce healthful perspiration. In fact, exercise is the key, according to Thomas Weidner of Ball State University. He has shown that light exercise in fresh air can ease a runny nose, sore throat, or sneezing.
Vitamin C. Loading up on fresh fruit will help. According to a large review of clinical research at Helsinki University, regular doses of vitamin C may cut an adult’s cold duration in half and a child’s by a day.
Breathe steam. Maybe your only chance to tell someone to go and boil their head and get away with it. Steam liquefies and loosens mucus, allowing clearance of the airwaves that can relieve coughs and nasal congestion.
Echinacea, et al. Studies have shown varying effectiveness of most Chinese herbs, but the World Health Organization endorses Echinacea and millions of Chinese have been swearing by it for centuries.
Have you got a guaranteed cold cure? Make a comment and let us know about it at the blog…
