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http://www.almanac.com/advice/natural-remedies/avoid-colds-flu

Avoiding Colds and the Flu

Sniffles

If you’re trying hard to avoid colds and the flu, here are some prevention strategies to keep you healthy—short of moving to the North Pole where germs cannot survive!

* Keep current on inoculations, and ask your doctor about flu shots.
* Wash your hands often, with lots of soap and lots of water! Don’t share washcloths or towels.
* Use disposable tissues instead of cloth handkerchiefs.
* Colds are only caught from other people; during cold season, don’t shake hands or touch surfaces and then bring your fingers to your nose or face.
* Don’t bite your nails; it spreads germs.
* Don’t share food or drinks, even a taste.
* When in doubt, hug instead of kiss, even if your heart feels otherwise!
* Drink plenty of liquids, especially fresh pure water.
* Get plenty of sleep. Go to bed early!
* Cut back on sugars and alcoholic drinks.
* Eat correctly, especially lots of fruits with high vitamin C content as well as veggies and grains which cleanse your system.
* If you can, take it easy as soon as symptoms develop.

And here is some good old-fashioned advice from our 1852 Almanac!

* To avoid fall fevers, eat moderately, drink sparingly, lie not down on the damp earth, nor overheat yourself; but keep your temper, and change your clothes as the weather changes.

Have you heard about the Google Flu Trends tool that estimates flu activity? Get an early-warning system for outbreaks of flu in your state.

If you have suggestions on how to avoid colds, please share! Just submit a comment in the box below.
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Reader Comments

Comment from Dianna Michaluk on December 9, 2008

The easiest way I have found to clear stuffed up sinus and make it easier to breath. Ease the aches and pains that are associated with cough, cold and flu. Rub Arthritis’Tiger Balm’ or Vicks on the soles of the feet. Put on a pair of socks at night time. The look forward to a good nights sleep. May be repeated during the day.

Comment from L R on December 9, 2008

To help kill germs in your airways during a cold: CAREFULLY use a lidded mug of boiling hot water, to which you add 2 drops of eucalyptus oil, and 2 drops of pine oil. Place mug on counter to avoid risk of spilling. Allow vapour to accumulate under the lid for a minute, then VERY cautiously, (so as not to scald your nose and face with the hot steam), ... gently inhale the vapour all the way to the bottom of your lungs through your nostrils, and hold for a bit, replacing the lid immediately. Then exhale completely and repeat a 2 or 3 times until the scent or steam is depleted. Repeat 3 times a day. The medicated steam travels through your entire airway.

Comment from L R on December 9, 2008

Fresh fennel can be eaten like an apple or sliced into a fresh salad. Healthy, and very tasty too.

Comment from don moyer on December 9, 2008

sounds good to me . any thing’s worth a try .

Comment from Silvia Wilson on December 9, 2008

Apples are good sources of Vitamin C and soluble fiber, to clean intestines. Two or three a day will help you fight colds and reduce bad cholesterol as an added benefit.

Comment from vicky gostnell on December 18, 2008

For an ear ach take a spoon and fill with alcohol (not the kind you drink) use a lighter to worm it from the bottom. Not for to long. Place in to ear for about 30 seconds then drain. My grandmother used to do this for all the kids.

Comment from Lori Brown on December 24, 2008

I find the best way for me to clear my stuffy head when combated with a cold is to eat very strong curry beef and broccoli.

The curry helps not only to open up the air ways but is very low in Cholesterol and Sodium. It is a good source of Vitamin B6, Foliate, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Copper, and a very good source of dietary Fiber, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Iron and Manganese and the broccoli is chalk full of vitamins C, E Beta-Carotene, Iron and Folic Acid.

Broccoli is chalk full of Vitamin C, Vitamin E Beta-Carotene, Iron and Folic Acid.

Beef is a good protein which also contains Zink, Vitamin B-12, Iron, Riboflavin and Thiamin.

Comment from michael dicredico on January 14, 2009

sounds great guys and beets the co payment at the docs

Comment from Virginia Muncy on January 22, 2009

A good way to stop a child or adult from coughing all night is to rub with Vicks on neck and chest. and place a warm towell or cloth over the area, It will stop the cough. My kids never like it but they got it anyway.

Comment from sandra walter on January 22, 2009

tHE vICKS ON THE SOLES OF THE FEET AND PUT SOCKS ON AT NIGHT IS A GREAT IDEA AND IT DOES WORK VERY WELL

Comment from MaryAnn Evans on January 22, 2009

FOR A SORE THROAT, gargle with Hydrogen Peroxide Topical Solution U.S.P. A nurse told me about this in 1973 and I have not had a bad sore throat since. The sooner you do this when you start getting a sore throat, the faster it works. I keep my own personal bottle so I can get a mouthful straight out of the bottle. Gargle as deep as you can, swish it around in your mouth, spit it out. Wait 10-15 minutes before drinking anything. IT WORKS!!!

Comment from Betty Worthington on January 22, 2009

For Sore Throat,,,,,,,,,Gargle with very warm salted water every hour throughout the day until bedtime. Repeat daily as needed. Relieves throat pain and cough.

Comment from Jean Donovan on January 22, 2009

For a sore throat....gargel with the 3 Esses Salt, Soada, & Sugar...really workes...trust me.

Comment from gilbert l larocque on January 22, 2009

for a sore throat.....take a spoonfull of vicks and eat it.it works and does not taste bad

Comment from Jared Leff on January 23, 2009

dont forget spicy foods. natural anti-biotics. so are garlic and onion. a few drops of tabasco in a few tablespoons of water will clear sinuses, if you can handle it. eat lots of tomatoe, onion and garlic in your foods during the bad cold / flu season, it will definately help, and cant hurt either!

Comment from DONNA ESTEPP on January 23, 2009

I’ve been told, it takes 7 days to get over a cold with medication, and it takes a week without any. If that doesn’t work, take 2 asprin and call me in the morning. HAPPY WINTER..........

Comment from Teresa Jenkins on January 23, 2009

I’ve tried the vicks on the bottom of my feet with socks and it works very well. But, I remember when I was a little girl my mom would put vicks on my chest and throat as well as make me eat a little and that worked too. The thing with vicks is to know that you cannot put it on and go outside as it opens your pores and you will have an even worse cold if you do!!

Comment from Alcide G. Fortier on January 23, 2009

The vicks rub really works,my Mother used it on us 55 yrs ago and it still works to-day.

Comment from mildred allen on January 24, 2009

If you have a sore throat a piece of peppermint will help.

Comment from Robert Turmel on January 24, 2009

Vicks, that’s the cure for relief of coughs & sore throats, Apiece of wool on the chest and throat will do the trick. MY MOM DID IT for all 7 of us kids. The old remedies always work the best! MOM’S have always been the best Doctor;s.

Comment from Alden D on February 20, 2009

Medical expenses are the costs that can ruin your finances and can leave your pockets empty. Colds are common disease but can surely affect your finances. People rush to the hospital not realizing they’re just colds, especially with young children ? or possibly hypochondria or Munchausen’s. Many of those people get a cash advance to cover the hospital expenses. Medical researchers have announced that they have cracked the genome code for the rhinoviruses, otherwise known as the common cold. This is good news, although they say it will be few years before a form of treatment will be available. I’d give them a cash advance for no more sniffles ? though it begs the question of whether they can get on that cancer thing.

Comment from Glenda Ward on February 23, 2009

To keep from getting colds and flu ..I put vaseline jelly on a Q=tip and coat the inside of my nose every morning. Then follow the don’t touch your hand to nose or mouth and wash them regularly rule. I haven’t had flu or cold for @ 5 years.