First signs of a cold - what's good to take?

Question

I don't get paid sick pay so can't really afford to take time off and have a party at my house on saturday and want to be well for it

Answer 1

loads of garlic. Best thing to ward off a cold.

Answer 2

I heard a doctor recommending this on TV and it works for me every time! Buy high strength Vit C tablets and take one at least every two hours. Your basically blasting your system so the cold doesn't get a chance to take hold. Vitamin C can act as a slight laxative, but I find it a small sacrifice if it means I can avoid a full-blown cold- it's my pet hate! Bassett's do really good Vit C tablets that you can eat like sweeties as their just like fruit gums. Drink loads of water too, keep warm and make sure you get enough sleep! Good luck!

Answer 3

I used to take Vitamin C and Zinc, and suffered no colds during that time. Zinc is thought to boost the imune system, though some studies link excessive zinc intake with enlargement of the prostate gland (obviously more of a problem for men than women, though I have heard that around 10% of women actually have a prostate gland).

Vitamin C can also be harmful IF TAKEN TO EXCESS, which can cause diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, high stomach acid, increased urination, insomnia, irritability, joint pains, osteoporosis (indirectly), headaches, hypoglycemia, weakness, anemia, PMS, may increase infections by causing copper deficiency, reduced estrogen, reduced progesterone, reduced prolactin (which reduces libido in men, not sure about women).

Vitamin C Sources:

Citrus fruit, green peppers, sweet and hot peppers, potatoes, spinach, parsley, cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, rose hips, black currants and other berries, tomatoes, horseradish, watercress.

Answer 4

Dear Sniffly Frog Girl,
The press says :-
FOR PREVENTION
Wash hands and don't rub eyes when around infected folk;take Echinacea, multivitamins and use an air humidifier.
TO TREAT
Echinacea, zinc tablets,inhale steamy eucalyptus infusion, vitamin C, rest, fluids, chicken soup. Curries help to clear a blocked up nose. Personally I find "Day Nurse" and "Night Nurse" Very helpful when I've got a "stinker"
Good Luck with the Party!!!!

Answer 5

My husband (who hardly ever gets sick) and I take a product called Airborne (there is a product through CVS pharmacy that costs about a dollar less). It was created by a teacher who got sick by being with all the children. It has herbal extracts (so read the ingredients and maybe call your pharmacist if you are on other meds) and vit. C. We have found that it significantly reduces the the down time when ill or keeps us from getting ill at all. Good luck! Suzanne

Answer 6

Echinacea full stop a highly powerful immune booster 3 of these over 24 hrs will knock that cold right on the head! As long as you remain in doors for a day, without venturing outside otherwise your cold will turn into a Flu!
Echinacea is great and I have been taking it for yrs, and in the last 2 yrs I have had one cold and no flu what so ever. take plenty of VC also...feel better...

Answer 7

I take zinc. It is inexpensive, and if I start to take it at the first sign of a cold it really helps me. You can get it in the vitamin aisle anywhere. They lso make a nasal spray called Zicam. This is a little more expensive but works great.

Answer 8

Echinacea & vitamin c. You should take vit c & b vitamins every day, then you should find that you never get colds. Eat healthily-lots of protein & fruit & veg to keep your strength up, plenty of fluids. I always find wrapping up and going out for a walk in the cold helps give me energy.

Answer 9

Echinacea Drops. The liquid is better than the tablets as it works faster. This is a herbal extract that you can find in any herbal shop...even boots the chemist do it now. works for me every time.

Lable is called:
Bioforce
Fresh Herb Extract
Echinaforce
Echinacea Drops
For colds and flu
50ml

Answer 10

Bioforce Echinacea drops. Just put 16 drops in a tiny bit of water in the bottom of a glass and drink it. It will sort you right out. Works great for me.

Answer 11

Take zinc lozenges - ones with vitamin C as well are even better. Apparently zinc is absorbed much more efficiently in the mouth and when its taken with vitamin C it is even more effective. Start sucking the lozenges as soon as you feel that tickle in your throat that is the precursor to a cold. (Zinc boosts your natural immune system)