1. Home
  2. Health
  3. How to Ward Off a Cold, According to 8 Health Editors
How to Ward Off a Cold, According to 8 Health Editors

You’ve been loading up on immune-boosting foods, exercising regularly, and washing your hands often and well. Yet there’s no question you're coming down with something—your body feels rundown, and there’s a twinge in your throat. But it’s not too late! Below are the sickness-prevention strategies that Health editors use at the first hint of seasonal sniffles. These reality-tested remedies have worked for us, and nipped colds in the bud.

Gargle salt water

"I swear by the salt-water gargle, a trick I learned working at Health. The how-to: Add half a teaspoon of salt to a cup of warm water (though I just eyeball the amount; it should taste salty but not so salty that you gag) and gargle. As soon as I start feeling that scratchiness at the back of my throat I do this several times a day, but at minimum before bed and first thing in the morning. Not only is it soothing but I can almost feel the germs getting purged. I’m convinced I’ve halted countless colds this way." —Jeannie Kim, executive deputy editor

Swallow raw garlic

"I heard from a friend that you should eat raw garlic at the first sign of a cold because it activates your immune system, so when I started getting sick before a big work thing, I tried it. Only I chewed the clove rather than swallowing it whole (what you’re supposed to do). BIG mistake. It burns your mouth and throat. The next day my symptoms exploded and then I felt better in 3 days. So it does work…if you don’t mind sweating it out (and smelling like garlic bread for 48 hours.)" —Lisa Lombardi, executive editor

 

Take echinacea

"When I feel a cold coming on, I eat Zand Echinacea Zinc lozenges, sometimes two at once, sometimes one at a time, throughout the day. They don't really stop a cold in its tracks, but sometimes I feel like they blunt the hard landing of a cold, and reduce the severity of the symptoms a bit." —Michael Gollust, research editor

Steam it out

"Super HOT baths and showers immediately. My doctor once told me that cold viruses hate heat, and that if you keep your body and especially your chest very warm you will discourage the virus from multiplying." —Clare McHugh, editor-in-chief 

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

"I down tons and tons and tons of water. As much as I can stand." —Beth Lipton, food director

"I’m all about hot lemon water when I’m starting to feel less than myself. If I feel like I need an extra boost, I add a dash of cayenne pepper to my cup. Talk about a serious sinus-opener!" —Anthea Levi, editorial assistant

"I actually drink ginger ale or Gatorade to make sure I get fully hydrated quick. I know not everyone approves of the sugar content but I am a believer in the hydration power (and a recent animal study suggested that glucose may actually help in recovering from viruses)." —Lisa Lombardi, executive editor

 

Prioritize an early bedtime

"I cancel all my plans, and go to sleep earlier. I also skip alcohol and have a lighter meal before bed, so I can sleep better." —Tomoko Takeda Canel, acting beauty director

Take medecine

Sometimes the above methods can only make you feel better, it takes a long time. OTC coupled with natural methods can cure your flu soon.

 

Text Editor: Mr Noeuk Vibol

Sources: www.health.com

Share This 9434 Views
Other Health

Benefit of Curry Leaf For Diabetes

Curry leaf is also a wonderful agent that can help people living with diabetes stop their nightmare of dealing with the hateful and stubborn symptoms of this dangerous condition. Aromatic curry leaf might also act as an effective agent which works well in controlling the high blood sugar issue. Many minerals contained in curry leaf can aid in maintaining normal blood sugar levels. Moreover, it can influence the carbohydrate ...

Children under 6 should take cold medicine or shouldn't?

It's miserable to watch your child suffer through the six to 10 colds she's likely to catch this year. And to make matters worse, experts now say that kids under 6 shouldn't use over-the-counter cold and cough medicine because of potentially dangerous side effects. So what's a concerned parent to do? We asked experts to tell us how to help fend off germs in the first plac ...

Yogurt is a best food for baby

Creamy yogurt is rich in calcium and vitamin D, necessary for healthy bones and teeth. Your baby can have it at 6 months, long before he'll be ready for cow's milk.

Opt for plain yogurt with no added sugar. Also look for a brand with the most live cultures, which help regulate the good bacteria in your baby's digestive tract. Make sure you pick up whole-milk yogurt &n ...