The nose is susceptible to dryness in both summer and winter weather. Both seasons, although they are literally hot and cold, can have severe dry weather, which is not kind on your nose. The lack of humidity, which is more common in dry, desert areas in summer, can dehydrate the mucous membranes in the nostrils. Indoor, air-conditioned spaces can also cause dryness.

Ever notice that you feel congested after being in dry heat and then transitioning to a cold indoor space? Dry air can make you feel like you have nose crustiness, or even dry boogers. Mucus plays an integral role in the body, protecting it from viruses and bacteria. Mucus is sticky, which helps to trap foreign particles, which the body then removes. Additionally, mucus contains antibacterial properties that help fight infection. 

Beyond dry weather, vaping, smoking, and certain medications may cause nasal dryness. As if there weren’t enough reasons to quit smoking! Now, we’ll explain a variety of remedies that may help prevent your nose from drying out. 

Don’t Forget To Hydrate

Drinking water throughout the day can help you avoid dehydration, which is especially important in the summer heat. Keep a reusable water bottle on hand and don’t forget to keep filling it up. In addition to hydrating your organs and systems, water also helps to keep the nostrils moist. Aim to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day to optimally hydrate. If you weigh 180 pounds and divide that by two to get 90, aim to drink 90 ounces of water per day. 

Take A Hot Shower Or Bath

A steamy hot shower or bath in the middle of summer may not sound like the most appetizing activity, but it may help relieve nasal dryness. The steam may temporarily relieve a dry or itchy nose. You can even use homemade shower melts to help relieve congestion. Consider adding a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to your bath to help you breathe better. 

Use A Humidifier

Some people have a humidifier installed in their home, so they can monitor humidity levels at all times. You can also use a portable humidifier to introduce moisture into a room in your home. This is especially beneficial if you tend to experience a dry nose at night. That may help you avoid allergies, illness, or overall stuffiness while you sleep. If you are traveling, humidify the space by hanging wet towels in various places around the room. 

Try Saline Sprays

A nasal saline spray can help keep your nostrils nice and moist. How often you’ll need to use one of these sprays will depend on the person, and the level of nasal dryness. Usually, you use a spray twice a day, or once every four to six hours. If you find that you have to use nasal sprays all the time, consider a gel, which lasts longer. A saline gel is preferable to olive oil, coconut oil, almond oil, or petroleum jelly, which some people try with cotton swabs. You don’t want to inhale those home-based remedies into your lungs, though. 

Experiment With Damp Cloths Or Wipes

Sometimes, all you need is to apply a warm, wet washcloth to your face to help moisten the nasal passageways. You can do this several times a day to provide relief, according to the National Library of Medicine. You can even use a wet wipe or baby wipe to help moisten the inside of your nose. 

Use A Nasal Rinse

You may be familiar with a Neti pot if you have a cold and want to get rid of congestion. This form of nasal irrigation may also help relieve a dry nose. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Neti pots use a saline solution to moisten the nasal passages, which are exposed to dry air. Make sure to read the instructions before you rinse out your nostrils. Neti pot sells its own saline solution, but you can also make your own with distilled water, baking soda, and salt.

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You can try your best, but you may not be able to avoid getting sick during cold and flu season. Viruses are exchanged more frequently than gifts at a white elephant party, and they don’t discriminate between healthy and unhealthy people. Plus, viruses easily spread via droplets in the air from infected persons when they sneeze, cough, or even talk. And viruses spread easily in indoor, warm environments, where people spend a lot of their time during the colder months. 

Flu season runs through fall, winter, and even into spring. Typically, infection rates are highest between December and February, so you have to put up your best defenses. Prevention is key, so taking care of yourself and monitoring symptoms, as minor as they may be, can help you reduce your risk of illness. Eat right, exercise regularly, sleep well, and make sure to reduce stress to help prevent illness. Should you come down with the flu and need assistance with quicker recovery, the following natural remedies may actually work, according to experts.

Gargle With Salt For Sore Throat

This is one of the oldest tricks in the book of natural remedies to soothe a sore throat. If your throat feels scratchy, gargling with salt water can help reduce inflammation and loosen mucus in the throat. That can help clear out irritants and other germs. Dissolve some salt in warm water until you do not see salt granules in the cup. Little by little, gargle with the salt water and then spit it out until you finish the cup. 

Clear Congestion With A Neti Pot

It is irritating and frustrating when you are stuffed up, have a runny nose, and feel like you can’t go a second without blowing your nose. When you are in this situation, or even before you reach this state of sickness, flush out your sinuses with a nasal rinse. Place a saline solution in a Neti Pot and carefully follow instructions for safe usage. There are many tutorials and videos on how to properly use a Neti Pot and how to make the saline rinse. Use properly and safely to avoid any complications. 

Consider Elderberry

More and more research continues to reveal the immune-boosting properties of elderberries. It is available in syrup, pill, powder, and extract form in most pharmacies and major retailers. Researchers theorize that elderberry can block HA glycoprotein spikes on influenza viruses, which may prevent the viruses from duplicating. Elderberry may also enhance the function of cytokines, which are immune proteins that may help fight inflammation. A 2021 research article reviewed 1,200 records of elderberry treatment on prevention of viral respiratory illness. The conclusion was that elderberry may be a safe option, but more evidence is needed to determine if it is a viable treatment option for everyone.

Drink Water And Herbal Teas

If you come down with the flu, one of your main goals is to hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more. The immune system requires water to do its job properly, so replenishing the body with hydrating fluids may enhance immunity. Health experts also encourage you to drink herbal teas, some of which exhibit powerful antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Fennel, thyme, chamomile, turmeric, ginger, and pennyroyal teas are excellent to consume if you have the flu. 

Sleep Your Flu Away

Accelerate your recovery process by taking the time to sleep your flu symptoms away. Pulmonary specialists agree that sleep strengthens the immune system, which is why sleeping helps you feel better when you are sick. That also explains why you don’t want to do anything else but sleep when you are sick! Sleep as much as you can and avoid contact with others until you have been fever-free for 24-48 hours. If you have a runny nose, place an extra pillow under your head to help your sinuses drain while you rest. 

Take Some Steamy Showers

Taking a warm bath or enjoying a steamy shower can help reduce irritation in the nasal passages or throat. Additionally, doing so may help clear mucus from these areas. You can enhance the effects of steam by dropping some eucalyptus essential oil droplets in your shower or bathtub. If the flu makes you feel lightheaded when you stand up, opt to take a soothing bath instead of a steamy shower.

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When you are sick, there is nothing you want more than to just feel better. If there was a magic pill that automatically made you feel better after coming down with a cold, you would take it. Instead, you do what you can, taking vitamins or over-the-counter medications to boost immunity and get over the cold. You may also experiment with different home remedies, some of which help relieve symptoms while others don’t.

Sometimes, you blow your nose so much and cannot believe that you have more mucus to expel. Blowing can cause headaches and general sinus pain, not to mention puffy eyes or irritation around the nostrils. In order to stop your nose from leaking like a faulty faucet, should you consume chicken soup and heat packs? What is fiction and which home remedies actually help you drain your sinuses? Continue reading to find out.

Nasal Irrigation

Very effective at relieving nasal congestion or irritation, nasal irrigation involves flushing out the nasal passages with a saline solution. You may be aware of the neti pot, which is an inexpensive device that looks like a small teapot. You can make your own saline solution for the neti pot, squeeze bottle, or bulb syringe with the following steps:

• Mix 3 teaspoons of iodine-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda to create the dry mixture.
• Dissolve 1 teaspoon of the dry mixture into 1 cup of distilled, sterilized, or filtered water. 

In order to irrigate your sinuses, you first want to stand over a sink or basin. Pour, spray, or squirt a liberal amount of the solution into your right nostril while tilting your head so that your left ear is parallel to the ground. The saline solution should flow out of the other nostril. Do this to each nostril to help flush away any bacteria or irritants. 

Warm And Cold Compresses

Whether you have a cold or sore muscles, alternating between warm and cold compresses can benefit your situation. Lay back and apply a warm compress across your nose, cheeks, and forehead for three minutes. Remove the compress and replace it with a cold compress for 30 seconds. Repeat this cycle two more times to complete a total of three cycles. You can repeat this process between two to six times per day. 

Manuka Honey

There is a large body of evidence highlighting the health benefits of honey. It exhibits antibacterial properties and can help soothe sore throat. Manuka honey is a special type of honey that has many therapeutic uses. Researchers note that Manuka honey exhibits powerful antibacterial properties that may help get rid of a bacterial infection. Try adding Manuka honey to your next cup of tea if you have sinus congestion or a sore throat. 

Hydrate With Lots Of Water

The reason that you want to drink more water than you otherwise would is to help thin mucus and drain your sinuses. Fluids and humidity can lubricate your sinuses, making it easier to breathe. Hot beverages like herbal tea or hot water with lemon can also aid your hydration efforts. Hot beverages also provide the benefit of steam, which may aid breathing and soothe sore throat. 

Steam

Steam works to relieve congestion by loosening the mucus in your nasal passages. You can add essential oils to a diffuser if you have that available to you. Otherwise, you can pour boiling water into a heat-safe bowl and add a few drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or tea tree essential oils to the water. Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head so that it falls all around you, creating a steam tent. Breathe deeply, in through the nose and out through the mouth, to help clear your sinuses.

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The arrival of warmer weather and longer days announces spring. At the same time, spring ushers in a series of seasonal allergies. For many people, spring or fall consist of lots of sneezing, itching, and congestion. What can be done to make sure that you don’t experience these symptoms? 

Around 50 million Americans suffer from some form of allergies. A lot of people have allergies that require medical care, but milder allergic reactions can be remedied with simple solutions. Even people with more severe allergies can also benefit from numerous home remedies. It’s possible to get rid of congestion, water eyes, itchy eyes, sinus irritation, or headaches with natural ingredients. You’ll learn more about how to do that in this article. 

What Are Allergies?

Health experts define an allergy as a bodily reaction to an antigen in response to initial exposure. Pathological immunological reactions like sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, or skin rashes can also indicate an allergy. In simpler terms, an allergy indicates that the immune system is hypersensitive to an allergen. Many common allergens include dust, particular foods, pollen, animal fur, or mold. 

An allergic reaction occurs when the body responds to allergens. The body produces histamine, which is its way of counteracting the allergen. That’s why you can experience allergy symptoms. Seasonal allergies, also called rhinitis or hay fever, typically worsen when pollen levels increase, i.e. during a change of seasons. This following home remedies should come to your aid when you experience those milder seasonal allergies. 

The Neti Pot

If you have a runny nose or feel any sinus congestion, the neti pot can come to the rescue. Fill this pot with a saline solution that will help flush out the nasal cavity. Not only does it loosen mucus, but it also helps get rid of allergens or irritants. This is a classic practice in Ayurvedic medicine, so people have been doing it for hundreds of years. Create a saline solution with filtered water and salt (the exact recipe will vary). Tilt your head sideways so that your right ear is facing the ground. Pour the solution into your left nostril, breathe through your mouth, and allow it to drain out your right nostril. Once you are done, complete on the other side. 

Keep Indoor Air Clean

Believe it or not, indoor air can be worse than outdoor air at times. It also happens to be the perfect place for allergens to irritate you. Consider purchasing indoor plants to help improve air quality in the home. Keep the air dry with a dehumidifier and use air conditioning, if you have it. Make sure to change your air conditioning filters so that you aren’t recycling dust particles. Lastly, vacuum carpets and keep floors clean to minimize dust accumulation.

HEPA Filters

To piggyback off of the aforementioned tip, high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters help keep indoor air clean. They trap more pet dander, airborne irritants, dust, and allergens better than the average filter. There are portable air cleaners with HEPA filters that help purify the air in single rooms or confined spaces. Consider placing one in the room in your house where you spend most of your time. The bedroom is a great place for a portable air cleaner. It may even help you sleep better.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

If you experience sinus congestion and want to clear the nasal passageways, you need eucalyptus essential oil in your life. Research studies found that the antibacterial properties of eucalyptus essential oil help combat allergens or bacteria in the nostrils. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties and menthol-like sensation you get after inhalation can make breathing easier. You can drop a few drops in a warm bath, steamy shower, or in a diffuser to aid breathing.

Eat Probiotics

If your immune system is functioning at a higher capacity, it’s easier to fight off foreign invaders or irritants that enter the body. One of the best ways to improve immune function is by promoting healthier gut flora. According to research, the more beneficial bacteria that exist in the gut, the better you are at defending against viruses, allergies, and infections. When choosing probiotics, it’s best to opt for soil-based organisms. Fermented foods are some of the best sources of probiotics!

Herbal Teas

Tea seems to nourish the soul, and your sinuses if you are experiencing allergies. The steam from the tea isn’t the only thing that’s beneficial. Peppermint tea, for example, contains menthol, which acts as a decongestant and expectorant. If your allergies cause mucus buildup or hardened mucus, peppermint can help clear it out. Green tea also contains powerful antioxidants that help prevent mild allergic reactions. A little tip: don’t drink chamomile tea if you have spring allergies because it can cause reactions if you are allergic to ragweed. 

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Ear infections occur when there is a viral or bacterial infection in the middle ear, which is directly behind the eardrum. The middle ear can become inflamed or fluid can build up in there, which is typically why ear infections are painful. People can either develop chronic or acute ear infections. The former typically does not clear up or it is recurring (sometimes causing permanent damage to middle and inner ear), while the latter is painful for a short period of time.

What Causes An Ear Infection?

An ear infection is the result of the Eustachian tubes becoming swollen or blocked. This causes fluid to build up in the middle ear. Eustachian tubes run from each ear directly to the back of the throat. There are several factors that can cause blockage in the Eustachian tubes, the most common of which are listed below.

• Colds
• Excess mucus build-up
• Smoking
• Allergies
• Sinus infections
• Infected or swollen adenoids (tissue near your tonsils)
• Air pressure changes
• Pacifier use
• Climate changes

Natural Remedies

Garlic In Your Ear

This may sound a little odd, but putting a few drops of garlic oil (or an entire garlic clove) in your ear is a great natural remedy. Garlic has amazing healing properties, the primary ones being antibacterial and anti-viral. The compounds in garlic help to attack the bacteria or virus in the inner ear, while the antiseptic properties of garlic work to inhibit the infection from spreading. Make sure your eardrum is not busted when you do this.

Probiotics

When you have an ear infection, a great way to naturally remedy the situation is to boost your immune system. Probiotics are often included as alternative treatments and have been effective in helping pediatric ear infections. Probiotics are easily absorbed by the body and strengthen the immune system. The best probiotics to consume are kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and fermented vegetables.

Chiropractic Treatment

Several studies have shown that there is a strong correlation between receiving chiropractic adjustments and resolving ear infections. It is possible that ear infections can be caused by misalignment of the upper neck. Chiropractic adjustments can help to align the vertebrae, relaxing the muscles around the Eustachian tubes, which allows proper fluid drainage.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Ear infections are occasionally caused by fungus in the ear. If this is the case, raw apple cider vinegar can be a great solution. Mix one part apple cider vinegar with one part filtered water and soak a cotton ball in this mixture. Plug your ear with the cotton ball and leave it in for about five minutes. After removing the cotton ball, lay on your opposite side to allow the liquid to drain from the ear. You can use a hair dryer to dry your ear after draining.

Saline Wash

Clogged sinuses can cause ear infections, so it is optimal to relieve sinus pressure if this is the case. A great way to relieve sinus pressure is to use a saline wash with a Neti Pot. Relieving pressure in the sinus area allows for healthy drainage, which is crucial if you have an ear infection.

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Fall is almost here and that means that cold and flu season is nearly upon us. Roughly 32 million people suffer from sinus infections every year and around $1 billion is annually spent on sinus medications. Whether it is a common cold, allergies, nasal blockages, or immune system dysfunction, there is a method that can help you naturally kill your sinus infection.

Common Symptoms Of Sinus Infection

• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Fever
• Facial congestion
• Cough

Drink Water

Rather than treating your sinus infection with things like antibiotics, steroids, or other sinus medications, try using a few natural remedies to help your condition. One of the most important things you can do to clear your sinuses is to stay hydrated, avoiding sodas, alcohol, or sugary beverages like bottled juices. Hot tea and water are the only beverages that don’t contribute to inflamed airways.

Get Steamy

If you have blocked nasal passageways, it can be beneficial to use a steam treatment to break up thick mucus. Since not everyone has access to a steam room, you can do an at-home steam treatment. Boil water and pour it in a bowl. Place a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in the bowl, place your face over the bowl, and drape a towel over your head and the bowl, inhaling the steam.

Salt Water Rinse

Some people are more prone to sinus infections than others. For those people, it may be beneficial to get a Neti pot. This helps to clear unwanted mucus from your nasal cavity, providing relief from clogged sinuses.

Natural Sinus Remedy Ingredients:

• ½ cup organic, sugar-free coconut water
• ¼ cup raw apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey
• 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
• juice of one lemon

Instructions For Sinus Remedy:

• Warm the coconut water in a saucepan, but don’t boil it. Pour it into a large mug and mix it with the apple cider vinegar. Let this mixture cool before adding the honey and cayenne pepper. Stir and add the lemon juice last.
• Drink this concoction on an empty stomach before you eat breakfast and before you go to bed to help kill your sinus infection.

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The common cold is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system. Like the name suggests, it is common to catch, and the viruses that infect people are Coronaviruses or Rhinoviruses. Because there are over 200 viruses that swim in the air, it is difficult for the immune system to build up a resistance to them. This is why colds are recurring and common. Anyone can catch a cold, but children are more susceptible because their immune systems aren’t as strong and they are constantly in school or group environments, where viruses thrive.

Symptoms of the Common Cold

Symptoms of a common cold will reveal themselves when the body reacts to a virus. Certain chemicals are released, which makes the blood vessels leak and the mucus glands work extra hard. The most common symptoms are listed below.

• Sore Throat
• Runny Nose
• Coughing
• Mild Fever
• Sneezing
• Mild Headache
• Stuffy Nose
• Hoarse Voice
• Feeling Tired

Remedies to Fight the Common Cold

#1: Eat Healthy Foods

When infected with the common cold, it is important to eat light, plant-based foods. Eating heavy foods like meat, dairy, sugar, salt, and alcohol makes the digestive system work extra hard. You want the body to focus on fighting the infection, so eat fresh fruits and vegetables, raw nuts and seeds, and whole grains like barley or buckwheat.

#2: Stay Hydrated

Drink lots of fluids. Staying hydrated is key when you have a cold because your body is using more moisture to produce mucus. Drink lots of water (eight-ten 8oz glasses a day is recommended), herbal tea, and ginger tea, which you can make by pouring hot water over fresh ginger root slices. Adding a little raw, organic honey to your teas or hot water can also be beneficial because it has antioxidants, anti-bacterial properties, and lots of vitamin C.

#3: Use a Neti Pot

You can use a Neti Pot to help cleanse the sinuses. Fill it with a warm saline solution to help relieve sinus congestion.

#4: Gargle With Salt Water

Gargling with salt water can help soothe a sore throat. Mix a teaspoon or so of salt in a small glass of warm water and stir. Take sips of the salt water and, without swallowing, gargle it in the back of your throat. This is not the cure for the cold, but it provides relief from an itchy throat.

#5: Get Some Sleep

Get lots of rest and sleep because your body needs the relaxation to fight off germs. People who rest more when they have colds will recover more quickly than people who keep pushing their bodies. The cold will only last longer if you don’t take the time to rest.

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Before you reach for that pill, with all its nasty side effects, consider trying a prescription alternative.

Alexander Fleming, discoverer of penicillin, warned us nearly a century ago that the overuse of antibiotics would create resistant bacteria. In fact, antibiotics are a major cause of recurrent infections, and our overuse of them is breeding highly resistant strains of “superbugs” that are immune to all known types of antibiotics. To add insult to injury, we have lost the war on infectious diseases, even with all these antibiotics and better hygiene.

By using antibiotics as a cure-all, the magic bullet has come back to hit us. Every time we take antibiotics, we give harmful bacteria a new opportunity to become resistant. The consequence is that many antibiotics are useless. An increasingly common scenario in American hospitals is a hospitalized patient who gets a hospital-based staph infection or pneumonia that is totally resistant to antibiotics. People with antibiotic-resistant diseases often die.

Clearly we need to find other ways to fight infections and to support our immune systems when we get sick. Antibiotics should only be used as a final resort in fighting a potentially life-threatening infection. Before he or she prescribes an antibiotic, your physician should do a culture to find out (1) if bacteria are present, and if so, (2) what strain of bacteria is present and thus what type of antibiotic to give you. Avoid wide-spectrum antibiotics whenever possible.

Here are some natural alternatives to prescription antibiotics:

Grapefruit Seed Extract

A grapefruit bioflavonoid concentrate works well to help knock out a cold. Grapefruit seed extract is a product you can use if you feel an infection coming on. You can take one 100 mg tablet every four to five hours or a few drops of the liquid. There are also anecdotal reports from women that grapefruit seed extract will effectively cure urinary tract infections.

Echinacea

The herb echinacea, sometimes combined with goldenseal in formulas, is an effective immune stimulant, but works best when used early on in an infection. Some people are allergic to it, so if you take a dose and feel worse, stop taking it!

Olive Leaves

Olive leaves have been used medicinally for centuries to treat fever, malaria, colds, and fungal infections. Modern research shows that a bitter constituent of olive leaves called oleuropein has antibacterial, antiviral, and antiprotozoal effects. The best way to take olive leaf as a supplement is as an extract in capsule or liquid form.

Homeopathic Remedies

Oscillococcinum is a homeopathic remedy I recommend for preventing and relieving the symptoms of the flu. This is a great remedy to travel with and to keep in the medicine cabinet, as it can quickly knock out a flu.

Chinese Herbal Remedies

Yin Chiao is a Chinese herbal remedy that’s good for preventing colds and flus. It can actually prevent a full-blown cold if taken soon enough.

EpiCor

EpiCor is a fermented yeast product that enhances natural killer cell activity and helps modulate and strengthen the immune system. It contains a unique blend of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants that research has shown to be very effective in warding off colds and flus. This is a supplement that can be taken daily during cold and flu season as a preventive.

Elderberries

American Indians have a long history of using Elderberries, primarily for the treatment of infections. Elderberries contain anti-inflammatory bioflavonoids that have been shown in test tube studies to inhibit viral growth. Specifically, elderberry flavonoids can stifle the activity of a protein needed by the flu virus to multiply and spread. It’s no surprise that elderberry is especially effective against viral infections such as the flu and the common cold.

Vitamins

Take vitamin C to tolerance, and take vitamin A (10,000 to 15,000 IU a day) for up to two weeks.

Infections And Antibiotics

Many people think that you can kill the germ with an antibiotic, and your infection problem is solved. For the past 50 years, this is how conventional medicine has been treating patients. But 98% of those infections would have become better with some very basic care, like rest and fluids. Antibiotics do nothing to get rid of a virus when you have a cold or the flu.

Here are some thoughts about common infections:

* Children’s Ear Infections

Recent studies have found that antibiotics make little to no difference in the course that children’s ear infections take. Many children have had multiple courses of antibiotics for recurrent ear infections before they’ve passed through toddlerhood, and this just sets children up for weakened immunity and more infections. Watchful waiting and allowing the infection to resolve naturally–along with children’s echinacea, a multivitamin, vitamin C, and a no-sugar, no-refined-carbohydrate diet–may stop the cycle of repeat infections in children.

* Internal Fungal Infections

Candida is a common fungus that grows out of control in many people, thanks to too many antibiotics and too much sugar. Your best strategy for fighting a fungal infection is to boost your body’s natural resources as much as possible, so that your own “good” bacteria can fight off the candida. It’s extremely important to eliminate sugar from your diet if you’re fighting a candida infection, and it helps to eliminate or cut back on fermented foods such as beer, wine, vinegar, aged cheeses, and anything made with yeast. Grapefruit seed extract, garlic oil, and oregano oil are all very effective antifungals. It’s certainly worth giving them a try before taking a potent antifungal drug. And be sure to take probiotics to enhance your body’s production of its own “good” bacteria.

Resisting Infection

One of the keys to resisting an infection is to begin helping your body fight it as soon as you are aware it’s there. We all know the symptoms: fatigue, achiness, sore throat, swollen glands, runny nose, cough, and fever. If you have a sore throat and ignore it, stay up late, and eat a bowl of ice cream, it’s bound to get worse. If you gargle with salt water, go to bed early with a cup of chamomile tea, and avoid sugary foods, chances are it will be gone by morning.

Here are some simple, specific steps you can take to stay free of infections:

* Wash Your Hands

If you have been around people with colds or the flu, keep your hands away from your face and wash your hands before eating. Don’t, however, be fooled into thinking that all of those antibacterial household cleansers and soaps are going to protect you. It has been found that the bacteria-busting chemicals they contain create an ideal environment for the formation of resistant bacteria. Soap and water works just fine for the hands, and vinegar (dilute and put in a spray bottle) is the perfect kitchen cleaner.

* Gargle

If you’re coming down with a sore throat, one of the simplest and most effective solutions is to gargle with a germ-killing mouthwash (make sure the gargle reaches your throat) or a simple salt water solution (1 teaspoon of salt to 1 cup of water). A sore throat is often caused by mucus from the sinuses dripping down the back of the throat, so giving that area an antibacterial bath can work wonders. There are some herbal throat sprays on the market that are excellent for banishing throat infections.

* Sinus Rinse

Sinus rinse is a great remedy for an encroaching sinus infection. Rinse the sinuses with a salt water solution (1 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of baking soda per 1 cup of water). This remedy takes some discipline and focus, and it’s not recommended for most children. The best tool for the job is called a neti pot, which looks like a little teapot with a spout that is made for rinsing the sinuses. You can buy a traditional ceramic neti pot or get the plastic version at the drugstore. Mix the solution of salt and baking soda in the neti pot. Tip your head sideways, and insert the spout gently into one of your nostrils. If you hold the spout at the right angle, the water will flow in one nostril and out the other. The real experts allow the water to flow in one nostril and out the mouth, but this can cause gagging if you swallow some of the water. This technique can work wonders for a stubborn sinus infection.

* Avoid Sugar and Alcohol

As your body fights infection, it helps to eat wholesome, healthy foods. Sugar and alcohol suppress the immune system and can make it harder for your body to do its job.

* Extra Vitamin C

Vitamin C can help fight infections and viruses. If you take 1,000 to 2,000 mg every three to four hours as soon as you feel a cold coming on, drink plenty of water, and avoid sugar, you can often knock the cold out before it ever gets started. Vitamin C will work even better if you combine it with bioflavonoids.

* Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a powerful infection-fighter. It is an immune stimulant that boosts thymus gland function and helps maintain healthy cells in your mucus membranes. You can take 10,000 to 30,000 IU daily for a week to help fight off an infection. (If you’re pregnant, don’t take more than 10,000 IU daily.)

* Zinc and Selenium

Zinc and Selenium are your two most important infection-fighting minerals. A wide variety of lozenges are available at your health food store that contain zinc, selenium, and vitamin C. Pass on those with a lot of sugar.

* Vitamin D

Vitamin D is essential for a healthy immune system. People who don’t get out in the sun or who have long, gray winters should take at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily.

* Allow a Fever to Run Its Course

Bacteria are adverse to high temperatures, which is why we sometimes get a fever when we get infections. This is why it’s important to not bring down a fever unless it’s dangerously high. The fever is the very thing that will kill the bacteria or virus that’s making you sick. In children in particular, a fever is part of the body’s mechanism for training the immune system to recognize hostile bacteria and viruses and forming antibodies that will recognize them in the future. If you suppress the fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol), your child could be more likely to get sick again the next time the bug comes to visit.

Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., is an internationally recognized expert on nutrition, drugs, vitamins, and herbal remedies. He is the author of more than 20 books and is a registered pharmacist, master herbalist, and a professor of nutrition at Pacific Western University in Los Angeles. Dr. Mindell has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Live with Regis and Kathy Lee, Good Morning America, The David Letterman Show and CNN, in addition to conducting more than 300 radio and television interviews annually. he conducts nutritional seminars around the world and lives in Beverly Hills, California.

VIRGINIA HOPKINS, M.A., is the editor of the email newsletter “The Virginia Hopkins Health Watch,” and has an extensive website of articles about bioidentical hormones, nutrition and prescription alternatives at Virginia Hopkins Test Kits.

She is the co-author, with John R. Lee, M.D. of the best-selling and classic book, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Menopause.

Hopkins and Lee also co-authored the books What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About PREmenopause, What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Breast Cancer, and Dr. John Lee’s Hormone Balance Made Simple.

Hopkins also co-authored the best-seller, Prescription Alternatives, which with Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.

Hopkins has been a writer and editor since she graduated from Yale University in 1976. She has a masters degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Santa Monica.

Find out more about Dr. Earl Mindell @ www.drearlmindell.com and Virginia Hopkins, M.A. www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com

Dherbs Solutions

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Zinc Formula
• Elderberry Tea
• Immune Booster Kit
• Immune Formula
• Immune Tea
• Anti-V Cleanse and Regimen
• Anti-V Formula
• Anti-V Tea

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Did you know that smell is 95% of taste? Yes, what you smell is what you actually taste and therefore absorbs into your bloodstream. This is why smell can and does affect you.

Unfortunately, most of us do not experience real breathing. Our nasal passages are clogged and obstructed with various debris and substances, mainly hardened mucus (aka boogers). This condition impairs proper and free flowing breathing which really makes a big difference in terms of optimal health in general and respiratory health in particular.

It is very important to have and experience good breathing. Through the nostrils we breathe in the breath of life, which contains the vital “chi”, “prana” or energy necessary for optimal health.

Nasal flushing and cleansing along with breathing techniques and exercises (such as those imported via yoga) are the best things for improving breathing and flow of “chi” (energy) into the body.

Safely Cleansing Nasal Passages

Many may say or ask “how do you possibly, sanely and safely cleanse the nostrils and nasal passages?” The answer is quite easy! You use a Neti pot. A Neti pot facilitates the Neti wash (cleanse and flush).

The Neti wash is a type of water cleansing, which allows for the sinuous of the nasal (and ear and eye) cavities to release accumulated waste particles and substances that have attached to the mucus lining.

Nasal flushing and cleansing is customary hygiene practice in many countries and regions of the East such as India, Tibet, and the Middle East.

Many professional brands of Neti Wash solutions will also contain Zinc acetate, which is used for nasal health.

Snoring has been nutritionally attributed to zinc and sulfur deficiency and many people with snoring problems have been helped with MSM Sulfur therapy (taking 2,000-6,000 mg daily).

In addition to the liquid herbal Neti wash solution, try using saline in the Neti pot for each wash or cleansing. Many professional brands of Neti Pot Salt will contain non-iodized salt, but iodized sea salt or regular sea salt will suffice the nasal cleanse and washing process.

Adding MSM Sulfur to the sea salt in addition to the herbal nasal cleansing solution works nasal wonders.

After cleansing, inhale or sniff essential oils of Eucalyptus and Pine to help open the nasal passages further.

Breathing is a very alkaline or alkalizing thing. It will greatly help to dissolve and expel hardened mucus (boogers). The Neti Pot cleansing and flushing process is also alkaline, mainly due in part to the herbs and sea salt.

You can ozonate the water for your Neti wash, too. Oxygen and alkalinity are the secrets to good great health. You cannot get sick with these two things in abundance in your body.

Neti wash water can also be enhanced not only with ozone or oxygen, but with crystal water of Blue Fluorite and Magnetite. These two stones are great for nose problems such as nosebleed.

If you can’t fathom the idea of water going in through one nostril and gently coming out of the other nostril which is how the Neti Pot and Neti wash process works, you may just want to perform facial tinting (steaming) – placing your head over a pot of hot, boiling water that contains a few drops of Eucalyptus oil and just breathe in the sinus-opening vapors.

Magnetic Healing Options

Also, it is a fact that most people are only breathing through one nostril due to blockage. This blockage is magnetic in nature. You can test yourself by pressing down on one nostril and inhaling and exhaling through the other. Chances are there’s a blockage.

This problem can be rectified with the use of magnets, medical-grade or therapeutic magnets which are usually very small gold-plated, powerful gauss (500-9,000) magnets that are applied to both sides of the nose with small adhesive bandages that are worn for 6-12 hours daily until the blockage disappears.

Dherbs Solutions

DHERBS products that can assist in the optimal breathing process, including:

• Sinus Formula
• Mucus Formula
• Lungs & Respiratory
• MSM Sulfur

Thank you for reading!

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