Gillian McKeith's Food Bible (163 page)

Willow bark extract can help to break a fever that often goes with a cold, or that hot, sticky feeling.

If you have a ton of mucus, try the age-old remedy of thyme infusion. That means 1 teaspoon of the loose herb in a cup of hot water, or put it into a tea ball.

EXTRA TIPS

Any sinus congestion can be helped by inhaling. Boil some water, put it into a big bowl with a few drops of eucalyptus, and add some peppermint, too, place a towel over your head, and breathe in the oil and steam with your mouth closed, if possible.

Dry skin brush once or twice a week to keep lymph moving. This will help to improve the circulation.

Have a bath with a few drops of the essential oil frankincense (not if pregnant). Or have a lavender bath. This is another good way to help strengthen the body’s natural defenses. Just four drops is enough.

Get to bed early. That means before 10 p.m. Sleep is a fantastic healer. Don’t worry if you don’t fall asleep right away; just resting early is fantastic. You will feel so much better in the morning.

Wear a hat on cold days. A lot of body heat can escape from the head, leaving you more vulnerable.

Bathe your feet in mustard water. This is thought to draw congestion away from the nose and down through the body.

Treat yourself to a reflexology session. Ask your reflexologist to work on the toes in particular, as twiddling the toes and rubbing the sides may help to relieve some congestion. You may find them quite sensitive if you have a cold.

Flushing out the nasal passages with saline water using a neti pot can reduce colds and infections. The warm, salty water loosens and dissolves any buildup of virus-laden mucus from the nose and sinuses.

If you can’t breathe at night, put a humidifier in your room for a few nights to help you breathe better. Keep your window open a little to get some fresh circulating air.