During the pandemic with the social distancing and mask-wearing, it seemed that catching a cold became rare. Unfortunately this winter we’ve reverted back to our old ways, so there’s been a huge increase in people catching colds again! With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of useful natural things that may help to prevent and cure colds.
Raw Garlic
It may not be very appealing, but raw garlic is somewhat of a superfood when it comes to
cold prevention, as it contains allicin, a powerful immune system booster.
Even with a muted sense of taste, you may struggle to eat it raw. The best ways I have found are:
Eat it on toast along with plenty of honey. This may sound strange but it really changes the taste and makes it much more bearable!
The yummiest way (which most people would enjoy even without a cold) is to mix it with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some Italian herbs, and dip french bread in it.
Elderberry
You’ve probably heard of elderflowers, but have you heard of the berries? Elderberries are another very useful food that help with a cold! These yummy berries are full of antioxidants, vitamin C and fibre, and they help the body to fight off infection.
The easiest way to take them is either elderberry tea, or the supplement Sambucol, a natural syrup that you can take daily through the winter months to strengthen your immune system!
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is very high in antioxidants and helps to boost immunity. It’s included in a lot of
foods and drinks at this time of year, and it’s a great addition to hot drinks, cold drinks, sweet and savoury foods.
0.5-1 teaspoon a day is enough to reap the many health benefits associated with cinnamon. You can sprinkle it on your coffee, oatmeal, add it to curry, have it on toast, in soup, or drink cinnamon tea!
Turmeric
I have some close friends who are from India, and they have amazingly strong respiratory systems! The spices they eat are powerful tools in fighting off sickness and keeping them healthy, and one of the spices they swear by is Turmeric!
Turmeric is anti-viral and anti-inflammatory, so it stops the virus from replicating and helps to relieve the symptoms of colds.
Turmeric can be added to lots of dishes - scrambled eggs/tofu, potatoes, veggies, soups, curries, rice, and more! It can also be added to smoothies, or you can enjoy it in a hot drink such as a delicious cup of golden milk! For added health benefits, you can pair turmeric with ginger and/or black pepper!
Broccoli
Broccoli is perhaps one of the most underrated vegetables. It’s packed with nutrients,
including vitamin C and glucosinolates, which help to stimulate the immune system - especially when eaten raw or lightly boiled/steamed.
It’s also very versatile and can be enjoyed in many different dishes - it can be boiled, steamed, roasted, or eaten raw, and the whole of the broccoli can be used. Personally, I like to keep the stem and dice it to add to noodles dishes.
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