3 Ways to End Your Cold in 3 Days

Sniffling, sneezing, coughing, congested, frog-voice?

Cold and flu season is underway, which is why it’s so important to continually support your immune system so it can battle bugs before they make you sick.

If you've already caught a cold or the flu, have no fear, there are natural ways to reduce the number of days you are sick. 

Use these natural tips to help knock it out in no time:  

1: Eliminate All Dairy

If you're already sniffling or congested, you have mucus build up. (That's the icky stuff you are blowing into the tissue or caught in the back of your throat.) Dairy products including milk, cheese, and butter will all worsen what you already have and cause more mucus in your body. Cut out all dairy, at least until you are back to health, if not for good.

2: Skip Sugar, Eat Fresh, Get Vitamins

Studies show that sugar and processed foods depress the immune system. This means no soda, candy, cookies, crackers, ice cream, or pretty much anything in a package…including store bought orange juice (which has most of its Vitamin C added back in after processing.)

Opt for whole, fresh vegetables which offer the highest quality vitamins. Prepare your favorite way: sauté, roast, make into a soup, or eat fresh.  

Try also adding in raw or sprouted pumpkin seeds and crimini mushrooms, which are natural sources of Zinc, a mineral that helps fight colds.  

3: Sip Fresh Ginger Tea & Green Juice Elixirs

Your body is in battle mode, trying to ward of your cold, so support your immune system in putting up a good fight. In addition to lots of water, prepare these two drinks and sip often:

Fresh Ginger Tea. Ginger supports your immune system and will help you fight your mucus build up. Skip the store bought tea bags, and go full strength: Boil 4 cups of water. Peel a 2 inch piece of ginger, and then slice it into pieces. Once water is boiling, add ginger and reduce heat to a simmer for 20 minutes. Strain ginger from liquid and drink. Add raw honey and lemon to taste, if desired.

Green Juice Elixirs. Fresh pressed green juices will flood your body with phyto-nutrients to get you healthy quickly. You can make your own: Use kale, Swiss chard, spinach, or other dark leafy greens, than add in some orange (like carrots or oranges) for a boost of Vitamin C, and ginger. You can also try one of these recipes: Green Lemonade Greens+Pineapple

Stay healthy!