FOODS THAT HEAL
Hot soups act as expectorants by helping loosen secretions from the chest. In our opinion, the very best natural expectorant is a soup made with plenty of onions and garlic simmered in a pot of water with cayenne added.
Tangerines have been found to be effective natural decongestants. In 1960, the Florida Agricultural Experiment Station reported that tangerines contain synephrine, a powerful decongestant. Many people have since reported that a tangerine is more effective than nose drops.
Investigations by Eric Block of the State University of New York at Albany, uncovered the fact that garlic possesses antifungal and antibiotic properties. It was found that garlic contains the chemical allicin which wards off fungi, bacteria and yeast (Later, ailicin turns into ajoene, a substance which inhibits blood clotting and may help prevent a stroke.)
While nothing was found to link garlic with fighting cold or flu viruses, nonetheless eating garlic raw has long been a traditional folk remedy for colds. Garlic is best taken with foods. Or you can squeeze the oil out of a clove and use it to flavor foods. Alternatively, you can take garlic oil in capsule form. Or you could cut open the capsules and squeeze the oil onto food. Garlic’s principal drawback is its unsavory smell.
Plain low-fat yogurt makes a good source of protein and calcium while suffering from an infection. Calcium is essential for metabolism of vitamin C. Yogurt containing Lactobacillus acidophilus appears to possess the added property of being able to help heal cold sores and cankers due to herpes simplex virus which may appear on the lips during or after a cold. Acidophilus yogurt is available in most health food stores.
When antibiotics are given to annihilate bacteria during a complication, the antibiotic frequently destroys all or most of the bacterial flora in the digestive tract. Acidophilus yogurt aids in restoring this digestive bacterial flora back to normal.
During the first two days of influenza, adults and children are often unable to eat solid foods. When appetite returns on the third day, it’s best to start with a bland diet consisting of soups, steamed vegetables, baked beans and broiled chicken or baked fish.
Finally, any new mother who is wondering whether it’s OK to continue to nurse a baby when the mother has a cold, can relax. Most pediatricians concur that a mother can safely continue to nurse an infant. They also advise eating plenty of fruits and not skipping any meals.
*200\30\4*
Leave a Reply