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