At the moment in the evenings or early mornings, when we start to have runny and blocked nose together with sneezing, we quickly think that our environment may contain dust mites or the air conditions cause us allergic. Some of us may not know whether we are actually suffering from allergy or common cold. So when a person starts sneezing, he or she immediately thought it is an allergy and takes antihistamine to stop the allergy. The symptoms of the allergy and common cold are quite similar, i.e. runny nose, blocked nose and sneezing. But the actual difference between allergy and common cold is the cause to this illness. The latter is due to a weakened immune system followed by an influenza viral attack, whereas allergy is due to allergen such as dust mites, pollen, cat dander, mold and etc. A blocked nose can adversely affect your sleep in the night because it disturbs your breathing activity or it may cause you unable to fall asleep. Subsequently, uptake of oxygen by your body is reduced and this will cause fatigue and unable to concentrate in the day time. Uptake of oxygen is important because it is the main natural ingredient that is used by our body to regenerate energy. The consequences of this are your day time productivity will reduce and you may in high risk of accident such as car accident or workplace accident. After wake up in the morning with allergy, you will not enjoy the sniffles and the heavy head feeling throughout the whole morning.
Allergy is a continuing ailment if you are not looking for treatment. This continuing ailment will cause a heavy impact to your quality of life. You may completely at sea when it comes to the remedy for this illness. If your sleep-depriving symptoms originate from common cold, you can try the following medication that had been found by German doctors, which is able to relief cold. This formulation has been used for more than 50 years and it is an herbal combination of Thujae Occidentalis, Baptista and Echinaceae, which is able to help sufferer to overcome the common cold. Compared to other forms of formulations, this prescription only needs to be taken by user when it is necessary; whereas, others usually need the user to use it frequently during illness and even after recovery. Both Thujae and Baptisiae work as a very powerful immune system booster. Furthermore, by adding together with Echinaceae, the efficacy of this mixture will be enhanced. This is because Echinaceae has antiviral properties. This combination not only helps in activating the body's immune system, it is also increasing the body resistance to viral or bacterial infection. It is unnecessary to take this combination of herbal extracts for long term basic like a supplement to prevent infection. What you need to do is just take this combination for five days after attacked by the virus or take it for a few days when you feel that you have been infected until the symptoms disappear. The main symptoms of a common cold are runny nose, sore throat, and sneezing. You may also have a mild fever. This herbal combination is safe for both adults and children with very little side effects, which you may not feel it. However, prevention better than cure, you should try to avoid contact with anyone who has or suspected has a cold. After you have contacted with someone who has cold, the cold virus usually stays in your body for a few days before starts to attack your immune system. This also depends to your immune system conditions during this few days. If your immune system is strong and healthy, you won't be infected and cold symptoms will not appear. Therefore, we should maintain our body immune system health and don't try to weaken it. Immune system is usually weak for a person, who is under stress. In order to have a strong and healthy immune system, we should have enough rest. Besides, having enough sleep everyday also can help to maintain a strong and healthy body's immunity.
To improve your quality of life, the following steps will help you to ease your illness symptoms if you are suffering from allergy that is caused by dust mites and other types of allergen. Zippered dust-proof covers, which are made from Dacron or other synthetic fiber, should be used to cover your pillows and mattresses. This is because these types of pillow and mattresses covers are allergen protectors. Often washing all bedding habit has to be inculcated. The right way to wash your bedding stuffs such as pillow cases, mattress cover, sheets and blankets is using hot water at about 60 oC. Wall hangings, which are made of fabric, should be taken down because dust mites, mold and mildew can be easily gathered on them. For those who have children at home, you have to make sure that your child's toys are able to be washed either manually or using washing machine. Your child is always playing with these toys and dust may be deposited on them; therefore, it is advisable to launder them regularly. Instead of using drapes or curtains, which are easily deposited by dust, plastic blinds should be used because they are easily to be cleaned. Carpet is the place, where most of the dusts accumulate and it is also quite difficult and tedious to clean it regularly, especially launder it. The proper way to avoid accumulation of dust, which containing allergen, throw rugs should be used. If you feel it is quite wasteful, another alternative way that can be sought is changing your flooring to tile or wooden floors. Casing of upholstered furniture and the pad covers should be washed often because all these things harbour allergens. HEPA vacuum can be used to purified the air in your house once or twice a week and make sure that the vacuum bags are thrown away regularly. If the vacuum bags are not disposed properly, dust mites may escape from the bags into the house.
The Common Cold Treatment
All the three doshas are responsible for the occurrence of common cold. Vata dosha common colds have dry coughs, little mucus discharge, hoarse voice, headache and a runny nose. People with pitta dosha who have common colds will have fever, sore throat, yellowish nasal discharge and continuous blockage of the nose. People with kapha dosha common colds have thick mucus discharges with dull headaches and heaviness of the head.
(1) Useful Herbs in the Treatment of Common Colds
- Bishop's Weed (Trachyspermum ammi) Bishop's weed has the power to open up clogged nasal passages. Its seeds are tied in a cloth and inhaled directly to clear congestions. It is very effective in treating nasal blockages in children.
- Cassia (Cassis fistula) Cassia roots are effective in treating cold. The roots are burnt and the smoke from them is inhaled. The mucus discharge will increase after such a treatment, but within a while it will stop completely.
- Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Cinnamon is boiled in a glass of water with a pinch of pepper and honey. This reduces the sore throat problems and also prevents the cold from becoming chronic, or developing into something serious like pneumonia or influenza.
- Cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum) Cumin seeds are antiseptic. So they have beneficial effects if the cold is accompanied with fever. It is also helpful in treating the throat irritations.
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Ginger extract taken several times a day is an excellent remedy for treating coughs that accompany common colds. Ginger tea is also very effective in treating colds.
- Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum) Chewing a few leaves of tulsi (holy basil) will remedy sore throat problems. An extract of the leaves boiled in water can be used as a drink for the same benefits.
- Onion (Allium cepa) Onion has the power to liquefy the phlegm. This makes the sticky mucus runny and it is discharged out of the nose.
(2) Dietary Treatments for Common Colds
- Common cold patients are typically advised to fast for one day so that the body toxins wash out. Then the patients can have hot vegetable soups, or steamed vegetables with little or no spices in them. Foods that are difficult to digest such as cheese, yoghurt, milk, oily and spicy foods and sweets must be avoided.
- Hot foods are advisable when you have a common cold. Hot chicken soup is a traditionally known remedy for common cold.
(3) Ayurvedic Treatment for Common Colds
- Bhringasava is the prescribed Ayurvedic remedy for common colds. This is generally prescribed in quantities of 15 ml thrice a day for seven days.
- The nasal drops called Anutaila are also prescribed by many Ayurvedic doctors. Other common medicines are Vyoshaadi vati, Kantara Arya Ava Lehya, Tribhuvana Keerti, etc. These preparations must be taken in time to prevent the cold from getting converted into flu.
- Trikatu powder is suggested to be taken with honey. This decreases the inflammation of the respiratory tract. Shadbindu taila can be used as nasal drops. This is to be used twice daily as long as the symptoms of the common cold are felt.
(4) Home Medications
- Take a pinch of salt. Put a few drops of mustard oil in it and blend it till the oil loses its fluidity. Dab this mixture on the nostrils, neck and chest. It will tingle a bit, but the relief will be fast.
- Mix some jaggery and black pepper together. Boil this in water. Sip this quickly when hot as you do with tea.
- Squeeze the juice of two lemons in a glassful of water. Put sugar to sweeten the mixture. This must be taken at bedtime to seek relief from the nasal catarrh.
- One more remedy is to blend nutmeg and opium with cow's milk into a paste. This is to be applied on the nose and the forehead while going to bed.
- Mixing black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and the seeds of the Nigella sativa (Krishna Jeeraka), and using it as a snuff helps in opening severely congested nasal passages.
- Before going to bed, apply eucalyptus oil on the forehead, chest and the nostrils in the night. Then wrap yourself in a warm blanket and go to sleep. You will sweat profusely in the night, but let that happen. In the morning, the common cold will disappear, and so will any fever if present.
- It is not advisable to remain in a cramped room when you have a common cold. Open the windows and let the air pass, but don't do this if it is cold outside. Take some walk in the fresh air and get enough rest.
Another point to note is that common cold is infectious. Hence, if you have got common cold, you should take all due precaution that it doesn't pass on to others. Do not go near infants and children as they are the most vulnerable to attracting common cold. Also use a handkerchief when you cough or sneeze. Keep your utensils separate.
Both Alexander Chong & Dr.Anna Hardy are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Alexander Chong has sinced written about articles on various topics from Allergies, Generic Cialis and Options Trading. Alexander Chong -Author of "How to cure your incurable nasal allergy without using any synthetic drugs, herbs and expensive devices".. Alexander Chong's top article generates over 12100 views. Bookmark Alexander Chong to your Favourites.
Dr.Anna Hardy has sinced written about articles on various topics from Eczema, Wellness and Skin Care. Read More on Common Cold Cure by Ayurveda and Common Cold Home Remedies at Ayurvedic Remedies: Ay. Dr.Anna Hardy's top article generates over 1900 views. Bookmark Dr.Anna Hardy to your Favourites.
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