Sunday People

Gran nose best on curing colds

- By Vikki White

WE catch an average of four colds a year – and with no known cure, your GP can only advise lots of rest and stay hydrated.

But nutritioni­st Sarah Flower tells us natural remedies going back centuries could help to speed up recovery.

So if you’re feeling bunged up, try one of these grannies’ cures… HOT TODDIES Hot Toddies date back to the 1700s, traditiona­lly made with spirit, honey and a range of spices.

More commonly now we opt for brandy, honey and lemon. The brandy helps you sleep, the honey soothes the throat and the lemon adds much-needed vitamin C.

Lemon also helps clear lingering germs from the nasal passages.

The jury is still out on the science. Even if it is psychologi­cal it’s a definite go-to for me. CHICKEN SOUP Our grandmothe­rs really did know best – this is an excellent remedy.

There are even mentions of chicken broth used by ancient Greek physicians. Made from the bones of the meat or poultry, add any leftover vegetables and cook slowly for a nourishing meal.

Bone stock is full of vitamins and minerals, as well as gelatine and collagen, to help you back on your feet.

I’d add turmeric and cinnamon, as well as a dash of chilli – a natural decongesta­nt – and ginger to speed up your metabolism. CLOVE OF GARLIC Garlic has a long-standing reputation for keeping winter bugs at bay. In the 1500s people were advised to apply a poultice of garlic and onion to their throats.

Thankfully we’ve now moved on and can easily add garlic to our meals or even take a daily supplement. Garlic, with its anti-viral, antibacter­ial and anticatarr­hal properties, is a great weapon against flu. FRESH AIR Our ancestors used to take patients outdoors for at least an hour a day however sick they were.

There’s a good reason – Vitamin D, which helps prevent flu and can regulate our immune response.

We are now aware that a large number of Brits lack the recommende­d levels, especially in winter.

For adequate exposure to the sun’s UVB rays you need at least 15 minutes a day. For those who can’t, vitamin D3 supplement­s are the alternativ­e.

It boosts the immune system and can help with depression and bone, joint and heart health. PREVENTION This sounds obvious but there are measures we can all implement to help prevent catching a cold virus in the first place.

We’ve gone through quite a history on this, from using carbolic smoke balls to iodine lockets hung round the neck in the early 20th century. Hospitals used to have brass door handles to stop germs because it effectivel­y disinfects itself. Nowadays we can use disposable tissues and antibacter­ial hand gel. NATURAL SUPPLEMENT­S Pelargoniu­m is a herbal remedy based on geraniums that packs a punch and helps with respirator­y infections, sore throats and general cold and flu symptoms.

Take it as soon as you begin to feel the onset of illness and continue until you are showing signs of improvemen­t.

It is natural but I would not advise this for the under-12s.

New Era’s Combinatio­n J mineral salts for nose, throat and chest, £8.79 powerhealt­h.co.uk, is an excellent remedy that literally melts in the mouth.

It contains added minerals to help you ward off symptoms and is safe for children.

 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom