What to do to stop the onset of a cold quickly and naturally?

Slowly but surely stuffy nose, non-stop coughing and sniffling? This is the refrain of fall and winter, better known as the common cold. Generally harmless, it remains a handicap nonetheless. How to stop it from the first symptoms? This Sunday, October 22, the National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) called for caution with cold medicines and advised the French not to use certain vasopressors (Actifed, Dolirhume or even Nurofen) which aim to: hence to block the nose. As a matter of fact, they can lead to heart attacks and strokes, the organization emphasizes. If you want to resort to a more natural method, naturopath Olivier Panisset (1) offers seven options that you can use from the first symptoms to prevent it from taking hold.

Reduce your diet

While food provides the nutrients the body needs, digesting them requires energy. From the first symptoms, it is necessary to save this energy to mobilize it in the fight against the cold. To do this, we avoid foods that require special efforts on the stomach, such as grains (rice, wheat, rye, etc.) and animal fats. “Animals in the wild stop eating when they are sick. It’s a natural reflex,” Olivier Panisset points out.

Even fasting for a day would be best. If this is not possible, the specialist suggests choosing a mono-diet of fruits or vegetables for 24 hours. “In this case, the food can be consumed in all its forms (raw, baked, stewed, pureed, etc.), but taking care not to add anything to the preparation, without sugar or fat, in order to avoid additional digestive efforts.” notes the naturalist. Good to know. fragile intestines should prefer cooked foods.

Helps your liver function

The organ is necessary to stop a cold. “The liver is the body’s cleaning factory, it processes toxins from bacteria,” the specialist recalls. When the first symptoms appear, the task is to stimulate the work of the organ. Two methods for this.

• Desmodium and turmeric

Some plants support the liver. These include desmodium and turmeric, which can be used as a 20-day treatment. They are available in organic stores or pharmacies, the former in the form of ampoules and the latter in the form of drops or pills. “You can also use turmeric directly in its root form (grated, infused, etc.), but it will be less concentrated,” notes the naturalist.

You can also place a hot water bottle in the area of ​​the liver. “The expanding effect on the blood vessels allows a greater supply of oxygen, which will contribute to its work,” explains the specialist.

Take a warm bath

Fever is the body’s protective reaction against bacteria. “A hot bath or shower raises the body temperature and thus simulates heat,” explains the expert.

Ravintsara and Tea Tree essential oils

The essences of these plants are very powerful antiviral and antibacterial. Taking three drops in the morning, afternoon and evening, mixed with a spoonful of oil or honey, helps the body get rid of germs.

“These essential oils are effective even through the skin. So we can mix 10 drops in vegetable oil to massage the chest,” adds the naturopath. Please note that they cannot be used on infants. Also, to make sure you’re not allergic, it’s best to do an elbow prick test and wait 24 hours. Always seek the advice of your doctor or pharmacist.

Grapefruit seed extract

“This product effectively fights pathogens (disease-causing agents), particularly those responsible for colds,” explains Olivier Panisset. It can be found in organic stores or pharmacies. The naturopath recommends taking 30 drops morning, noon, and night, but as a precaution, advises not to take it with other antibiotics at the same time. As with essential oils, it is always best to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Focus on vitamin C

Ideal for fighting germs, it is found in a number of foods and especially in fruits and vegetables. “Acerola, kiwi and even parsley are very high in vitamin C,” explains Olivier Panisset.

Echinacea

Very effective in boosting the body’s defense system, this plant can be purchased in organic stores in liquid form. At the first signs of a cold, it is useful to take ten-20 drops (depending on the concentration of the product), three times a day, for fifteen days. The expert notes that “after this duration, the plant is no longer effective on the body.”

Prevention rather than cure

However, a few preventative actions can prevent you from getting sick. First of all, it is important to sleep well so that the immune system can rest. In addition, a balanced diet rich in vitamin C and adequate hydration are essential to avoid colds.

“You should also think about airing the rooms even in winter, so that viruses do not linger in a warm and humid place, contributing to their development,” adds the naturalist. Don’t forget to wash your hands regularly to avoid the risk of transmission. Finally, we can add a three-month course of probiotics (sold in pharmacies) to these daily habits, which will strengthen the bacterial flora of the intestines and thereby stimulate the body’s defenses. Olivier Panisset reminds. “80% of the immune system is located in the intestines.”

*Originally published in 2017, this article has been updated.

(1) Olivier Panisset is a naturalist in Paris. To learn more: www.olivierpanisset.fr