Natural Respiratory Aids and Treatments

From the tricks and treats of Halloween and Thanksgiving’s celebration of family to the chance for reflection and fresh starts of New Year’s, the fall and winter seasons hold many pleasant associations for us, our families and our friends.

Unfortunately, the colder weather brings with it a slew of unwelcome guests in the form of colds and the flu. These are unpleasant enough in themselves, but they could also lead to complications such as sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia.

You don’t need to let these illnesses spoil your holiday cheer, however, and you may not necessarily need a prescription to breathe easier and chase these illnesses away.

Here are a few natural options for treating some respiratory ailments that may arise over this time of the year.

Garlic

Believe it or not, garlic breath can signify good health. Because garlic gets absorbed quickly through the lungs and because some medical research suggests that it can effectively combat bacteria and viruses, it can serve as a particularly powerful natural remedy for colds and respiratory illnesses. It’s considered best to consume garlic raw rather than cooked. You can crush it and eat it by itself, mix some of it into your food or take it in a capsule.

However, be careful about how much garlic you eat, especially if you’re pregnant, take blood thinners or are about to undergo surgery. If bad breath becomes a problem, you can maybe chew some parsley or have a small peppermint, which has also been found to help clear up congestion and stimulate mucus flow.

Onions

While some dispute the veracity of the old wives’ tale that chopped onions absorb flu germs in the air, when consumed, people have consistently found them an effective expectorant and decongestant (just like its relative, garlic). If you find the taste of onions a bit too strong (and experts do advise that the more pungent an onion’s smell and taste, the more effective it’ll be as a remedy), you can try mixing it with some honey.

Slice an onion into a bowl and cover it with honey. Let the mixture sit overnight, then remove the onion and take a little bit of the honey throughout the day. You can also make an onion soup and add some garlic, ginger and cayenne pepper.

Warm Showers

A warm shower is pleasant in and of itself, of course, but it can also help you breathe easier. This is because the warm, moist air that results from taking a shower can help soothe inflammation in your nasal passages. If you’re worried about conserving water, you can also fill a pan or tea kettle with water, set it on a slow boil and breathe in the steam (you can also drop a little bit of eucalyptus into the water). Just be careful not to leave the boiling water unattended. Another option is to use a humidifier around your home.

Lemons

The high vitamin C content of Lemons makes them an excellent natural treatment for viral and bacterial infections. Also, their juice can serve as a good expectorant. Lemonade may not be the ideal drink for a cold or flu; it’s best to avoid sugar while you’re sick. Instead, you could boil some water and then mix in some lemon juice and a little bit of honey. You can also drink some lemon ginger tea or just gargle a mix of warm water and lemon juice.

Thyme

Consuming thyme can help clear mucus out of your body and may have antibacterial properties. You can use it as a seasoning for your food or make a tea by adding ¼ to ½ tsp to one cup of boiling water. Steep it for five minutes and then maybe mix in some honey to help it go down easier. However, don’t drink thyme oil, which has been found to cause nausea and dizziness.

It should be stressed that you should consult a doctor before employing these as a treatment for an illness. In extreme cases, you may well need a prescription. However, it’s nice to see that, should you fall sick during this time of the year, Mother Nature can serve as your pharmacy.

If you have a history of getting the ‘traditional’ one or two colds a year and/or a bout of flu, then Viral-Protec would be worth trying. The prime objective is to boost your resistance to colds and other viruses, stimulate your immune system to optimal levels, and increase antioxidant activity.

It does this by utilizing a complex mix of ingredients which have proven anti-viral properties. Viral-Protec contains ingredients to help build up your immune system and fight off current and reoccurring symptoms.

About the author:

Ken Stanfield is a writer, blogger and health enthusiast who spends his time researching and writing about respiratory health, healthcare, geriatric healthcare needs and humanitarianism. He currently writes for the nebulizer systems supplier justnebulizers.com.