Right Back Achoo!

Dear god, everyone is hacking. I am about one stranger’s sneeze away from taking a cue from Bubble Boy.

Jenefer Huntoon, Naturopathic Physician

I don’t know that we can avoid colds 100 percent of the time. We can’t realistically live in a bubble, and being exposed helps our immune system. Colds are one of the ways the body eliminates toxins. People who take good care of themselves and have good immune systems will get colds, but recover quickly. For vitamin A and D, take one tablespoon of cod liver oil (you can now get lemon flavor) for every 50 pounds of body weight per day. Eat half a grapefruit or half an orange a day for vitamin C. If you actually get sick, drink herbal tea. Half peppermint with half catnip will induce perspiration. Then get in bed and use lots of blankets to help you perspire away the cold. It’s the same idea as going to the sauna. It helps you clean out your system and recover more quickly.

Amanda Brimhall, Naturopathic Physician

Keep your stress low, take a good multi-vitamin, get enough exercise and enough sleep. Socializing is important too. Another thing that really helps is the Neti pot — it can prevent congestion and head colds. If you already feel the symptoms coming on, put yourself on immune boosting herbs. There are many: Echinacea, golden seal, elderberry, medicinal mushrooms and zinc lozenges.

Kim Sullivan, Acupuncturist

Drink lots of teas. Fresh ginger is wonderful — put six slices of raw ginger root in a pot and boil it for a long time so the properties are released. Drink astragalus tea on a regular basis throughout the winter for a big boost. Fresh garlic is one of the best medicines in the world. If your stomach can handle it — and your husband/wife or family can handle it — eat a fresh clove every day. At least eat a clove a day at the first sign you’re getting sick. Make a soup. There is no exact science for the recipe, but combine chicken or vegetable broth with fresh chopped garlic, sliced ginger root, green onion, lemon juice and some Cayenne pepper. You can drink it as a broth or throw in additional greens and chicken.

Jenny Rough is a writer and blogger whose work can also be found in Open Air Magazine this November. Find her on the web at jennyrough.com.