Common Colds

The common cold is difficult to cure because the virus changes size, shape, and resistance to treatment. It has hundreds of forms, making it almost impossible to develop a vaccine. A cold is always in the upper respiratory tract. If lung involvement, see the doctor. Lung or chest infections can be dangerous. Yellow or white spots appearing in the throat, enlarged lymph glands in the neck or under the jaw, and/or chills and shortness of breath occur, see the doctor without delay.

Symptoms

Head congestion, coughing, headache, fever, difficulty breathing, sneezing, restlessness, watery eyes, aches and pains.

Treatment

Also, 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. lobelia tincture every 3-4 hours until fever drops. A tincture of goldenseal and echinacea is recommended for children. 8-10 drops in liquid every 3 hours until flu symptoms are gone.

Mix equal parts of juniper berries, black elder flowers, coltsfoot, lance-leaf plantain, and sallow bark. Steep 1 tsp. in 1/2 cup boiling water. Take 1/2 to 1 cup a day, sweeten with honey.

Eucalyptus oil: Put 5 drops in a hot bath or 6 drops in boiling water, put a towel over your head and inhale vapors. One tbsp. slippery elm bark powder mixed with 1 part boiling water and 1/2 cup honey will relieve cough and sore throat. Store in a jar and give 1 tsp. every 3-4 hours.

Another remedy for colds: Anise seed (1 part), Coltsfoot leaves (2 parts) and Lungwort (2 parts); steep 2 tbsp. in 1/2 cup boiling water. Add this tea to 1 1/2 cups althea tea (prepared by soaking 1 tbsp. althea root, leaves and/or flowers in 1/2 cup cold water for 8 hrs. Take this mixture with honey, in mouthful doses.

Nutrients

Vitamin C, 5,000-10,000 mg. per day in divided doses, helps clean and heal mucous membranes. Vitamin A, 15,000 IU daily, is a powerful antioxidant and helps immune system. Zinc Gluconate lozenges, every 2 hrs. dissolve lozenge under tongue. Use until symptoms stop, follow directions for children. Stimulant for immune system. Garlic capsules, 2 capsules 3 times per day, acts as an antibiotic and immune system stimulant. Multivitamins, taken as directed on label, gives aid to healing. Kelp, 5-10 tablets per day, has an antiviral action and helps in reduction of inflammation. Vitamin B complex, 100 mg. daily, a necessity in cellular enzyme function.

Herbs

Agrimony
Angelica, European
Anise
Basil
Bayberry
Birch
Blood root
Boneset
Borage
Bryony, white
Burdock, great
Burnet
Calendula
Calla, wild (water-arum)
Cannabis
Capsicum
Cardamom
Catnip
Cayenne
Celery seeds
Chamomile
Chickweed
Cinnamon branch
Cloves
Coltsfoot
Costmary
Cow-parsnip
Cowslip
Chrysanthemum flowers
Crampbark
Culver's root
Dayflower, Asiatic
Dropwort
Duckweed
Echinacea
Elder, black, flowers
Elecampane
Elm, slippery
Echinacea
Ephedra (Ma huang)
Eucalyptus
Fenugreek
Fern, male
Fern, maidenhair
Feverfew
Feverweed
Fireweed
Flag, sweet
Flaxseed
Garlic
Gelsemium
Ginger, wild
Ginseng, Siberian
Golden rod
Golden seal
Gotu kola
Holly, mountain
Honeysuckle flowers
Horehound
Horsemint
Horseradish
Horsetail
Hyssop
Irish moss
Juniper berries
Kudzu root
Labrador tea
Lavender
Lemon
Lemon balm
Licorice
Linden
Lobelia
Lovage
Lungwort
Magnolia blossoms
Mallow
Marjoram
Marshmallow
Meadowsweet
Mint
Moss, Iceland
Motherwort
Mugwort
Mulberry leaves
Mullein
Mustard, black
Myrrh
Nettle, hedge
Oak
Onion
Oregano
Osha
Pansy
Parsley
Pennyroyal
Peppermint
Pine, white
Pineapple juice
Plantain, lance-leaf
Pleurisy root
Poplar
Primrose
Raspberry
Rosemary
Sage
Sallow bark
Sarsaparilla
Sassafras
Savory
Saw palmetto
Scallions
Skullcap
Spruce, Norway
Sticklewort
Tamarack
Tansy
Thyme, garden
Vervain, blue
Violet, garden
Watercress
Yarrow root
Yamm, wild
Yerba buena
Yerba santa

Recommendations

Wash hands often, flush tissues after use, do not give aspirin to children with a fever. Check children with frequent colds and flu, for thyroid malfunctions and/or allergies.

Suggestions

Drink potato peeling soup twice a day, made fresh daily. Potato peelings (the skins) should be peeled 1/2 inch thick. Discard center of potato. Boil peelings for about 20-30 minutes, strain, cool, and drink. Carrot or celery stick in the soup is optional.