The cold hard facts


What exactly is a cold anyway? Certainly it's something we'd like to do without! All those uncomfortable symptoms -- and so many symptoms. How does one know if you've really got a cold, or something else. Rhinitis, which is the medical term for a cold seems to fit. ''Rhin'' referring to the nose, and ''itis'' an inflammation of. Maybe it's a joke, maybe the word really refers to that single horned animal with a large nose -- a rhino. Well, I think many of us could agree our nose feels that large and very uncomfortable, which is more than we've been able to do with this fall's presidential election!

According to Anne Marie Colbin, author of Food And Healing, The common cold is one of the most misunderstood adjustments/discharges known. We view it as a threat, rather than a friend come to warn us about, and at the same time set aright, the misalignments, stresses, and dietary errors in our lives. Nature, above all, is persistent; if we don't respond to a tap on the shoulder, we'll eventually get a kick in the seat of the pants.

Bernie Siegel MD, nationally known speaker and writer in holistic health, claims that those of us who suffer the usual colds, flu, etc., and then treat and respect our body with kindness -- an occasional sick day, mom's chicken soup, etc. -- end up living longer with fewer serious illnesses such as cancer, arthritis and other chronic degenerative diseases.

Unfortunately, the opposite is usually true. Many of us behave miserably towards ourselves when we are sick, yet some sickness is the human condition and unavoidable!

This time of year, cold symptoms are exacerbated by allergy symptoms. Pollen counts of different types are at record highs this year. To help off set this ''load'' being taken into the body, use foods that are less stressful. Try avoiding dairy, highly processed foods -- including sugar. Use smaller amounts of meat, highly salted foods and fatty foods. Increase your intake of vegetables, especially the green leafy kinds, also carrots, brussels sprouts, broccoli and cabbage.

So, if you're dealing with a lot of allergy symptoms, do something about correcting those and you will suffer fewer and milder colds.

For serious cold prevention ,carry zinc lozenges, not tablets, with you at all times. When you're exposed, or when you first get that nagging tickle or sneeze, out comes the zinc. Zinc stops replication of viruses that cause colds; this is why it must be a lozenge. If the virus cannot replicate it cannot make you sick.

Next try some liquid silver. I prefer the Water Oz brand. Silver, a forerunner to antibiotics, behaves like an antibiotic antiviral without all the nasty side effects. It's very effective against cold viruses and will boost immunity. Of course, reach for the vitamin C and whatever herbs you like. including hot ginger tea, echinacea, goldenseal or cayenne, and Mom's chicken soup. Interesting, too, my medical dictionary under definition and treatment of rhinitis actually calls for rest -- bed rest, imagine that!?

Imagine a world without sniveling, drizzling, sneezing, coughing, red eye, all those nasty tissues dripped around the bed. I don't know; it could be tough! Remember, think zinc, think zinc!

Till next time, Rebecca



Uploaded to The Zephyr Online November 21, 2000

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