Have you heard about zinc? It's an essential mineral found in almost every cell, and has powerful antioxidant effects on the body, especially when you've come down with a cold or flu virus.
In order to be effective, however, you should start taking zinc in supplement form at the first sign of cold symptoms (with food!) and until your symptoms begin to subside.
Doctors recommend that you take no more than the suggested dose for no longer than five days. In addition to supplement form, zinc can be found in chickpeas, cashews, spinach and almonds, as well as seafood like cooked oysters. If you're a chocolate lover, you're in luck, as cocoa powder contains some of the highest amounts of zinc!
Of course, zinc isn't the only natural remedy you can make use of…
Zinc
Some people swear by zinc as a mineral that can greatly shorten the duration of your hold. However, there are other great natural remedies you can use to alleviate the symptoms of your cold or flu. Read on to learn more about them…
Valerian root
This powerful, natural sleep aid will help you get your much needed-Zs and relax your fatigued, tense muscles. Try taking supplements or tea with valerian for a great night's sleep.
Ginger
Ginger has been used to treat a variety of ailments for thousands of years, and when made in tea form, can help alleviate cold and flu symptoms like sore throat and dry cough while giving the immune system a quick boost.
Vitamin C
Well all know about this one. Found naturally in fruits and vegetables, Vitamin C helps the body absorb iron and is used in the maintenance of bones, muscle, and blood vessels, and is popularly believed to be help you get over a cold quicker.
Echinacea
This coneflower has a variety of medicinal uses, and is considered a sacred herb by many Native American tribes. In fact, it was used by the Sioux to treat colds, as well as rabies, small pox, mumps and measles, and may very well shorten the duration of your cold.
Thyme
Brewing some tea with fresh thyme can help loosen up the mucus in your chest, as this herb has long been used as a natural expectorant.
Licorice root
Did you know that licorice root contains a compound called glycyrrhizin, which has proven anti-viral effects? In fact, licorice can help fight off strains of the flu, including the avian flu virus, and can be found in a number of teas and candies.
Garlic
This commonly used herb gives your immune system a boost, and chewing on a clove a two or day can help ward off cold and flu symptoms.
Elderyberry extract
Elderberry extract has been found to reduce the duration of cold symptoms for up to four days, and even fight up to 10 strains of the flu virus! A number of companies sell it as a liquid supplement.
Turmeric & Cinnamon
Both of these spices have allegedly strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties. Now that's a reason to cook with them, and cook with them often!
Mint
It tastes great as a tea, and can help with your cold or flu symptoms, as mint contains menthol, which helps open up the nasal passages and soothe a sore throat.
Cayenne Pepper
Last but not least, this natural cold and flu remedy is definitely not for the faint of heart, as it is WAY too spicy for some, but if you can handle it, add it to tea, soup or a green juice blend, as it contains capsaicin, which unblocks your nasal passages.
