Three Powerful Ways To Fight Colds And Flu

Here are some powerful ways to fight that winter cold and flu.

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Cold and Flu Season
It seems like the New Year always brings along with it a cold or flu to dampen all our ambitious resolutions. Given that I've had my share of colds this fall, I've had a chance to discover some wonderful new ways to fight them or help prevent them in the first place. So of course I want to share these discoveries with you.

Umcka 
This is a natural remedy made from Pelargonium sidoides roots, a plant native to the South African coast. Originally it was known as Stevens' Consumption Cure after the Englishman, Charles Stevens, who was completely cured in 1897 by an African tribal healer using this remedy. It was brought to Switzerland by Dr. Adrien Sechehaya in 1920 who successful treated over 800 of his patients. Today, Umcka is a formulation of this healing root and is a leading medicine in Europe. Nature's Way has now brought it to America.

Dissolve contents of the small packet this lemon hot drink in 4 to 6 ounces of hot water and sip. It's makes a delicious and soothing tea

Umcka is available in Original Drops, Cold +Flu Berry Chewable Tablets, and a pleasant tasting Cherry Syrup but my favorite is a Lemon Hot Drink. These products shorten the duration and reduce the severity of symptoms of a cold but for best results, you have to take them at the very first sign of cold symptoms. 

XLEAR
I was visiting my naturopath last week and we were discussing the benefits of nasal rinses to prevent colds, sinus infections, and flu. I've always been a big proponent of this and often use the Neilmed Sinus Rinse bottles and their premixed saline packets.  But he pointed out  that it's even more effective to occasionally use XLEAR packets that include Xylitol because the xylitol has antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties that can actually kill the microbes that are invading your nasal passages. Xylitol is found in fruits and vegetables and is widely used as a sugar substitute. It is used in gums to prevent tooth decay. 

These packets are more expensive then the premixed saline packets but they are very effective in preventing a sinus infection so it's worth the money. 

Dissolve 1/2 to 1 packet in warm purified or
distilled water in your neti pot or sinus rinse bottle.

Each packet contains xylitol, Celtic sea salt, and sodium bicarbonate.

Allimax
Perhaps the most exciting product I came across recently is Allimax. Allicin is the bio-active compound of garlic that is responsible for most of its health benefits. Unlike many of the other garlic capsules on the market, the patented process this company uses allows the stabilized allicin capsules to maintain their potency. 

Allimax can attack those viruses responsible for colds and flu. They recommend just one 180mg capsule per day to prevent a cold. If you already have a cold or flu, take 2 or 3 per day for one week. 

I personally have been fighting a nagging cough and upper respiratory infection. I took  6 capsules every night before bedtime and within 4 days, my cough got a lot better. They then recommend reducing the dosage to 4 capsules and then 2 capsules after another week. This stuff really works. As a dietary supplement, I will be taking one Allimax every day, probably forever! 

What amazed me the most is that I didn't get heartburn, even after taking 6 of these pills right before bedtime! 

For additional medical uses of Allicin, from Candida infections to wounds, go to AllicinFacts.

For more tips on boosting your immune system, see my post: Natural Ways to Seasonal Flu plus Vegetarian and Non-Vegetarian Recipes to Boost Your Immune System.

Stay well!
Joanne