Stock up on vitamins
Zinc is a key item for any family’s winter colds first-aid kit. Research shows that oral zinc may help to reduce the length of colds when taken within 24 hours after symptoms start.
Vitamin C is a vital nutrient. While the jury is still out on its full effectiveness for prevention, some research suggests that it may help reduce the duration and severity of cold symptoms.
Sip hot lemon tea
Since lemons contain vitamin C it makes sense that they may be a great natural way to help with cold symptoms. Bed down with a hot lemon tea and a drizzle of honey and ginger – plus it can be wonderfully soothing and hydrating when you have a raw, irritated throat.
Ivy leaf for a chesty cough
Every winter colds first aid kit needs a reliable medicine to relieve a nasty chesty cough. A clinically researched form of Ivy Leaf, known as EA 575, has been shown to relieve coughs and congestion, helping to break down and clear chest mucus during a cold. Plus it helps to open the airways to aid with breathing symptoms associated with a cold.
Research shows that 95% of patients who took this Ivy leaf formula, EA 575, reported an imrovement in their overall cough symptoms.
Consider a probiotic
A good probiotic may also be a good idea for optimum gut health. Once again, the medical community is still undecided on the full effectiveness of probiotics, but as there is some evidence that shows that probiotics have a modest effect on the symptoms of common colds; it’s a good idea to keep some on hand.
This article originally appeared on Women's Health
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