Natural Remedies for the Common Cold - A Preppers Guide

What do you do when you get sick in a world without drug stores?

I caught a cold last week. Something that happens to all of us and should not be a big deal. I find that as I get older these run of the mill illnesses seem to get worse and longer in duration. I have gotten to the point where I need a prescription cough syrup to sleep at night once the cough starts.

If you look at the counter in my bathroom there will be cough drops, cough medicine, Ibuprofen, decongestants and whatever I can think of that might ease my suffering. I'm not trying to come off as a wimp here but having a cold sucks. I can't sleep or even think for the duration - which seems to get longer all the time. Back in the day I could count on being 100% after a week or so. Now the symptoms can last two weeks or longer.

I thought about going cold turkey on the meds to see what it would be like but decided that keeping my house awake all night with my chronic cough would not be worth it. I also suffer seasonal allergies and know just how ugly that scene gets if I don't take my meds.

Modern diseases tend to center around inflammation. Inflammation is a reaction that occurs when the auto immune system is not functioning properly. Inflammation can be traced as the cause for everything from heart disease to arthritis.

So what did we do without pharmacies and medicines to ease our suffering? A quick internet search yielded some clues to start with: garlic, cinnamon, apple cider vinegar, coconut oil. Another question arose from my research that although won't cure the common cold may explain some things. Maybe paleo man did not get colds the way we do. I am pretty sure that allergies are prevalent in our modern society because of pre and post natal care. The introduction of formula to replace breast feeding has done damage to our autoimmune function. The decrease in good gut flora has had the same affect. The introduction of antibiotics as a cure for everything in the 60's and 70's harmed a generation of people. I think that I was raised on formula and given antibiotics regularly. Diet also plays a role in disease and inflammation.

Many of our current diseases such as diabetes and arthritis were not prevalent in paleolithic times. Examination of remains show good health. Infections were the most dangerous things in these times. Our diets and lifestyles have opened pandora's box for neolithic diseases.

So the next time I get a cold I am going to give the natural methods a try. Gargling with apple cider vinegar, teas and inflammation control are going to be my priorities.


Article Source: Steven M Becker