| No drug has so far been invented to cure cold. To | | | | severity of cold. Garlic contains antiseptic and |
| treat a cold by means of customary suppressive | | | | antispasmodic properties, besides several other |
| drugs like aspirin and codeine will only pave the way | | | | medicinal virtues. The volatile oil in this vegetable helps |
| for further trouble of more serious nature. For such a | | | | to open up the respiratory passages. In soup form, it |
| treatment puts a sudden stop to the eliminative | | | | flushes out the system of all toxins and thus helps |
| processs then taking place and forces the toxic | | | | bring down fever. This soup is prepared by boiling |
| matter back into the tissues again. Moreover, drugs | | | | one or two cloves of garlic in half a cup of water and |
| have no effect on the duration of the cold. It has | | | | it can be given to the child once daily. |
| been aptly said that a cold can be cured in a week | | | | Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and |
| by taking medicines, otherwise it will subside in seven | | | | coughs. About five frams of this vegetable should be |
| days. | | | | cut into small pieces and boiled in half a cup of water. |
| Proper dietary control alone can prevent the | | | | It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of |
| appearance of cold in the child. When a cold is already | | | | honey added to it. This mixture should be given to |
| present, the child should be put on the fruit juice, | | | | the child when hot. |
| preferably orange or pineapple juice, for at least one | | | | Turmeric with it antiseptic properties, is an effective |
| day. Enema given alongside helps considerably in | | | | remedy for colds and throat irritations. A quarter |
| cleansing the bowels during this period. This may be | | | | teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 15 ml. of |
| followed by an exclusive fruit diet for a further day | | | | warm milk is a useful prescription for these conditions |
| or two. The child tends to loose appetite even when | | | | in children. Turmeric powder should be put into a hot |
| he has a mild cold. As such, he should not be urged | | | | ladle. Milk should then be poured in it and boiled over |
| to eat more than what he needs. Milk and its | | | | a slow fire. In case of a running cold, smoke from |
| derivaties should be avoided. Fluids like barley water, | | | | the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase |
| tender coconut water, sub-acid fruit juices and plain | | | | the discharge from the nose and will bring quick relief. |
| water make very good food items for the child at | | | | Fomentation of the sinuses of the nose with cloth |
| this stage. A hot water drink, mixed with honey is | | | | dipped in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes will relieve |
| very soothing, if the child coughs or sneezes for | | | | the inflammation of the sinuses. This treatment is |
| considerable periods. | | | | helpful in opening the blocked nasal passages. Stem |
| The child should avoid foods which form mucus in the | | | | inhalation , two or three times every day, will reduce |
| system, as well as tea and coffee. He should also | | | | the irritating condition of the mucous lining, facilitate |
| avoid foods which induce cattarah such as cakes, | | | | the expulsion of mucus and keep the child's nasal |
| pastries, chocolates and other foods that are largely | | | | passages clean. Hot foot bath is also beneficial. It |
| composed of white flour or white sugar. | | | | reduces congestion by drawing blood from the upper |
| Lime is the most important among the many home | | | | part of the body. Wet packs to the throat and |
| remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types | | | | chest, applied two or three times a day, will relieve |
| of cold and fevers. Vitamin C-rich lime juice increases | | | | congestion in these areas and help in eliminating the |
| resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the | | | | accumulated mucus. |
| duration of illness. Half a lime should be squeezed in a | | | | The natural hydrotherapic treatments and dietary |
| glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey | | | | control will help the child recover most naturally. Once |
| should be added to it and given to the grown-up | | | | this is achieved, he should be allowed to build up |
| children daily. In case of infants, half the quantities | | | | slowly his powers of resistance by gradual exposure |
| would suffice. | | | | to cold weather and allergens. |
| Garlic soup is an ancient remedy to reduce the | | | | |