Colds

The cold is the most commonly occurring illness in the entire world, with more than 1 billion colds per year reported in the United States alone. The common cold is a self-limiting illness caused by any 1 of more than 200 viruses . The common cold produces mild symptoms usually lasting only 5-10 days.

In contrast, the "flu" (influenza), which is caused by a different class of virus , can have severe symptoms. What causes a cold? Of the viruses that cause a cold  , the most commonly occurring subtype is a group that lives in the nasal passages known as the "rhinovirus." Other less common cold   viruses  include coronavirus, adenovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Contrary to popular belief, the vast majority of cold   viruses do not spread through the air and seldom are transmitted from airborne particles expelled when someone with a cold  coughs or sneezes. The primary means of spreading a cold  is through hand-to-hand contact or from objects that have been touched by someone with a cold .

The typical transmission occurs when a cold  sufferer rubs his or her nose and then, shortly thereafter, shakes hands with someone who, in turn, touches his or her own nose or eyes. Alternatively, virus transmission often occurs via doorknobs and other hard surfaces, such as handrails, supermarket trolleys, office telephones, and computer keyboards. 

Symptoms of a cold: The most common complaints associated with the cold  usually are mild and can be managed with over-the-counter cold  medications you can buy at a chemist: Runny nose Sneezing Nasal and sinus blockage Headache Sore throat Cough

How to treat a cold? To date, no specific cure has been found for the group of viruses that cause the common cold. Antibiotics kill bacteria, not viruses , and are of no use in treating a cold . It seems unlikely that a single antiviral medication will be discovered in the near future that can target the over 200 different cold  viruses. That is true in part because the viruses genetically change (mutate) each season just enough to prevent the development of a specific treatment for that virus.

Congestion: Drink plenty of fluids to help break up your congestion. Drinking water or juice will prevent dehydration and keep your throat moist. You should drink at least 8-10, 8-ounce cups of water daily. Fluids might include water, sports drinks, herbal teas, fruit drinks, or ginger ale. Your mother's chicken soup really can help!! Cola, coffee, and other drinks with caffeine work to increase urine output when your goal is to increase fluids in your system. Inhaled steam may ease your congestion and drippy nose. Hold your head over a pot of boiling water and breathe through your nose. Be careful. If the steam burns your nose, breathe in more slowly. You can put a pot or teakettle on a trivet on a table and hold a towel around the steam and your head.

You can buy a humidifier, but the steam will be the same. Moisture from a hot shower with the door closed, a saline nasal spray, or a room humidifier is just as useful.

Fever and pain: Medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) will help decrease fever, sore throat pain, and relieve body aches. High fever usually is not associated with the common cold  and may be indicative of "the flu"—a more severe illness caused by an influenza virus . Report to your doctor any temperature greater than 102°F. Never give a child aspirin or medications containing aspirin. In children younger than 12 years, aspirin has been associated with Reye syndrome—a potentially fatal liver disorder.

Cough: The cough is a reflex that occurs when your airway passages are irritated. Cough preparations are usually divided into 2 main categories: Suppressants: These act by blocking your cough  reflex. As a general rule, use a suppressant for a dry, hacking cough . The agent usually found in over-the-counter cough  suppressants is dextromethorphan (Benylin, Pertussin CS or DM, Robitussin Maximum Strength, Vicks 44 Cough Relief).

Expectorants: A cough  associated with excessive mucus production, or phlegm, warrants use of an expectorant. Guaifenesin is the most common active ingredient in over-the-counter expectorants (such as Anti-Tuss, Fenesin, Robitussin, Sinumist-SR).

Sore throat: Lozenges and topical sprays can provide relief from sore throat pain. In particular, lozenges containing zinc may relieve many cold symptoms better than other types of throat lozenges. The benefits of zinc are not proven, however, and it can cause stomach upset. A warm saltwater gargle can relieve a scratchy throat.

Nasal congestion: Nasal decongestants help relieve clogged nasal and sinus passages caused by excessive mucus secretion.

Aromatherapy Treatments

Alternative therapies can work very well to help relieve cold symptoms. A number of essential oils can help in different ways to relieve the symptoms of colds, coughs and blocked up nose. The oils which are recommended to help colds Lavender, Eucalyptus, Marjoram, Niaouli, Peppermint, Pine, Rosemary, Tea Tree and Thyme.

The two most useful methods for using essential oils are inhalations and a bath although massaging the chest and throat areas can also be beneficial. Steam inhalation using Eucalyptus essential oil, Peppermint essential oil, Rosemary essential oil and Tea Tree essential oil (or any combination of these four oils) can help to clear the nasal passages and soothe the inflamed mucous membranes whilst at the same time the essential oils can help to kill many bacteria. The hot steam itself is also a hostile environment for viruses.

At night time it is a good idea to use Lavender essential oil combined with one of the above as Lavender can aid sleep. Another good way to enhance sleep is to have a warm bath using Lavender and Marjoram essential oils and place a bowl of Lavender oil in the bedroom. When you first feel the effects of a cold  then bathing with Tea Tree oil can sometimes help to stop the cold  developing. Peppermint essential oil has warming and stimulating properties and so it can help the chilly feelings which often accompany a cold  , runny nose, sneezing and fever.

Peppermint  can also be used for cooling feverish conditions and Peppermint essential oil can also induce sweating which can help to reduce fever in a natural way. Used in steam inhalations it can help to clear the nasal passages and sinuses. The practice of burning Rosemary essential oils on hospital wards to help to combat infection was a practice which has been carried out for many years in France until very recently. Rosemary  essential oil is renowned for its piercing qualities which make it valuable for respiratory problems including the common cold , catarrh and sinusitis.

Tea Tree essential oil has many uses but for colds try burning it in a diffuser or oil burner and also use in a bath to help the body fight the infection. Niaouli is a good oil to use for respiratory infections where they affect the chest, throat or nose and is good used in chest rubs (diluted in a carrier oil). It can work as a powerful stimulant so it is best not used at bed time.  

Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Eucalyptus Globulus (10ml)

Eucalyptus is best loved for its ability to help with chest infections and blocked up noses. However it is also great for muscular aches, colds sores, herpes or burns and makes a useful and natural painkiller.

£4.50

Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Abrialis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

£3.30

Niaouli Essential Oil - Melaleuca Viridiflora (10ml)

Niaouli is non-irritant and antiseptic so is great for treating wounds especially where they are infected. Try it for asthma, coughs and catarrh as well as urinary infections.

£3.00

Pine Essential Oil - Pinus Sylvestris (10ml)

The most common use for Pine is for bronchitis, catarrh, sore throat and infections of the chest. Good in steam inhalations. Also try it for digestive problems.

£3.50

Rosemary Essential Oil - Rosemarinus Officinalis (10ml)

Rosemary is believed to have a refreshing, invigorating affect on the skin and can be used for a variety of skin and hair problems. It is good for stiff and overworked muscles, Steam inhalations with Rosemary can be good for catarrh and sinusitus. Rosemary also has a strong connection with the central nervous system and can help with memory and mental clarity.

£3.50

Tea Tree Essential Oil - Melaleuca Alternifolia (10ml)

Tea Tree - the ultimate antiseptic which is a truly wonderful oil to keep in. Use it for veruccaes, thrush and warts, acne, rashes and dandruff. Try it for resipratory problems such as coughs and catarrh and use it to help with viral infections and increase the boxes immune system.

£4.00

Peppermint Essential Oil - Mentha Piperita (10ml)

Peppermint has a lot of different uses including acne and itching skin, palpitations and neuralgiz, catarrh and colds and to aid clear thinking as well as having ties with the digestive system.

£3.50