7WAYS TO KICK A WINTER COLD

HEALTH EXPERTS SHARE THEIR BEST HOME REMEDIES NEW HEALTH

When the sneezes and sniffles strike, home is usually the best place to recover. So we’ve quizzed some health experts for their top tips that you can use to start feeling better quicker.

WARM YOURSELF UP

‘I’ve lived in Japan for over 20 years and they use different methods to prevent colds and flu which I now use too,’ says Donna Burke, creator of Hotteeze heat pads. ‘At the first sign of a cold, the Japanese quickly take measures to warm up the body. Traditionally that meant going to bed and piling on many covers so that a sweat was induced, which would aid recovery,’ she explains. ‘These days, they will apply heat to their solar plexus, even holding a hot cup of tea there if they can’t get their hands on a heat or wheat pack. They believe your body’s immune system needs all its energy to fight, so supporting it with extra warmth helps fend off colds and flu.’

PICK UP A PINEAPPLE

Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that helps reduce congestion and a blocked nose, says naturopath Chantelle Bell. ‘It works by breaking down mucus and helping reduce inflammation within the sinuses – very useful when you’re all stuffed up from a cold,’ she says. ‘Try pineapple in a juice with ginger, carrot, strawberries and kale for the ultimate decongestant hit.’

SLIP ON SOME SLIPPERS

In Japan, second only to keeping the solar plexus warm is to keep your feet warm at all times, says Donna. ‘Slippers are worn inside the house, even in summer, often with socks,’ she says. ‘The feet are where your chi flows from and are referred to as your ‘second heart’, which, if kept warm, will pump energy throughout the whole body, continually boosting the immune system.’

REST AND RECUPERATE

The best treatment for a cold? ‘Rest!’ says integrative naturopath, Marta Browne. ‘This is the one piece of advice that is often ignored,’ she says. ‘So at least try to stay hydrated, eat if your body tells you to (clear broths are light and very nutritious), avoid extremely hot showers or baths as they can cause dizziness or fainting if you are already weakened,’ advises Marta. ‘High doses of zinc and vitamin C can also be very useful in shortening the duration of a cold.’

RAID THE PANTRY

You can make a ‘kick-a-germ juice’, says naturopathic herbalist, Robyn Barraclough. ‘Use the juice of a lemon, a teaspoon of honey, a crushed clove of garlic, some crushed ginger and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Add hot water and sip,’ she says. ‘The lemon helps break down mucus, garlic fights infection and cayenne pepper helps the oxygenation of the blood, while ginger helps with drippy noses.’

TEST AN OLD WIVES’ TALE

Foot rubs and foot baths have been used for hundreds of years to draw out toxins, says Robyn. ‘This is an old wives’ tale that’s worth a try,’ she says. ‘Rub a peeled cut garlic clove on the soles of the feet to draw out a cold. Then, put on an old pair of socks that you don’t mind throwing out (if you can’t get rid of the smell in the wash).’

TAKE A GENTLE STROLL

You need to take it relatively easy for a few days in the peak of your illness, says Arwen Bardsley from Evenstar Wellbeing. ‘However, remember that your lymphatic system, which is critical to fighting illness, can’t operate effectively without muscular contraction, as it removes wastes and toxins,’ she explains. ‘So, taking a gentle stroll around the block or, even better, the park, will do you a world of good. Rug up, go slow, and if there’s some sunshine, get into it!’