Total Care Dental & Wellness

Going To Battle With A Cold

Have you noticed how nasty the cold season has been this year?  It seems everyone has something, and the something they have doesn’t go away very quickly.  My team at the office has passed it around, everyone at home has had their turn, and I’ve been running from it for months.  I hadn’t succumbed…until Sunday evening.  I literally felt the moment it started.  I couldn’t figure out why the nuts I had just eaten were making my nose stuffy and my eyes ache.  Then it hit me.  The dreaded cold had arrived.

I used to do a mental exercise to keep sickness away.  I literally visualized all of my immune cells dressed up like medieval warriors, going to battle with slimy, green goo guy invaders.  I envisioned the troops fighting.  One side winning, the other side surging, until my immune cells made a final push and wiped out all of the invaders.  It usually worked.  After I visualize this I got better.  So why in the world don’t I do it every time I feel something coming on?  It makes me too tired.

Worn out by an imaginary battle??

Yeah, I know that sounds weird, but it literally wipes my energy out to do this exercise.  Sometimes I am just too tired to do it, and sometimes I just give in.  Well, I have way too much going on right now to give in.  So I’m calling in the medieval troops, and I’m giving them some serious fire power with natural remedies.

I made an herbal tincture from Dr. Kyle Christiansen called Immune Fighter.  It’s potent.  Between the cayenne and the alcohol it’s preserved in, it has a serious burn on the way down.  I’ve been taking a good swig every 2-3 hours since the Sunday night bug arrival.  I also add high power Vitamin C.  When I feel the invaders surging, I add some colloidal silver to the brew.  Is it working?  Seems to be.  I don’t feel wonderful tonight, but I don’t feel terrible either.  I feel like I’m in the middle of an epic battle and I want to win.

Natural Remedies

So what are some natural things you can do to fight the bugs all around us?   You can make some tinctures, but I know that stops most people in their tracks.  So here are some easy to implement ideas that will keep those invading goo guys from winning the battle:

1. Let your body do the work.  My husband and I were Ibuprofen junkies for years.  We had loads of the stuff and any ache or pain got it’s dose.  What I didn’t realize is that the pain and heat associated with sickness is part of the body’s defenses.  I haven’t taken Ibuprofen this go around because I don’t want to lessen my body’s ability to fight.  Now, I’m not saying to never take any pain reliever, I’m just saying to evaluate if you really need it, and if it would be beneficial for your body to be able to have all of its defenses at the ready.
2. Vitamin C – This is like magic for colds.  It is a powerful antioxidant (that means cell firepower) and in times of sickness, your immune cells need more of it.  The more you provide for your body, the better your body can fight.  It may not prevent a cold, but research has shown it to greatly lessen the symptoms of a cold.  My favorite -Lypo-spheric Vitamin C found at health stores or on Amazon.
3. Colloidal Silver– Did you know that silver was the first antimicrobial agent people used?  It treats the bacteria or viruses that are causing your symptoms.  Make sure to use nano-silver to avoid turning blue (really – this happens), and use it without worry.  Put a Tablespoon under your tongue and hold it for 30 seconds before swallowing.  Can use safely every few hours.
4. Garlic – I’m taking a garlic pill three times per day right now for other reasons.  Yes, it does stink and perhaps I stink, but it seems to be working.  Garlic is naturally anti-bacterial and anti-viral.  It also boosts your immune system.  One trick – if you’re using the fresh clove, cut it and let it sit for 15 minutes before using it.  It makes the magic inside the garlic come alive (do this when cooking with garlic too).
5. Salt Water Gargle – Salt kills bacteria and breaks up the slime that the cold bugs live in.  Gargle but don’t swallow (unless you enjoy throwing up).  Add 1 t salt to 1 cup warm water and gargle as often as you want.  Your throat will thank you for it.
6. Dr. J’s Cold Busting Ginger-Ade.  This is my favorite!  It just makes me feel warm and happy and my throat always thanks me for it.  Make it today!!

I hope I come out on top of this battle, and hope with some of these remedies you will too.  May the force be with you!

Love,
Dr. Michelle Jorgensen