How to Shake Your Cold & Flu Symptoms Naturally

Introduction

Have you ever taken the time to read the ingredient label on your cough and cold medicine? The labels read more like a shopping list for a mad scientist. Acetaminophen, dextromethorphan HBr, guaifenesin and phenylephrine HCI are listed as the active ingredients on a popular, over-the-counter cold medicine. These are the ones that work to relieve the symptoms of your cold. Even if we can’t pronounce them, the label on the product does tell us why these ingredients are in the medicine.

But the medicine contains other ingredients as well; anhydrous citric acid, edetate disodium, propylene, propyl gallate, sodium benzoate, and it may contain trisodium citrate dihydrate. (Does this mean they do not know what they are putting in a bottle?) All of these additives are listed as inactive ingredients. So what are they and why are we taking them?

Unless you are a biochemist, you probably have no idea what any of this stuff is. Do we know what the side effects of putting this stuff in our bodies are? Why are there so many additives that do not do anything?

Do the active or inactive ingredients cause the side effects mentioned? On this brand, some of the side effects are nervousness, dizziness, sleeplessness, pain, persistent cough (shouldn’t a cough medicine alleviate a cough?) redness or swelling. The label goes on to warn against taking this medicine if you have heart, liver or thyroid disease, diabetes, high blood pressure or are taking certain types of prescribed medications.

This particular bottle of medicine will be visiting my trashcan. All of these additives are not needed just to relieve the common cold. A number of all natural remedies exist that work and do not cause harmful side effects. Most of the ingredients for the remedies listed in this book are probably in your kitchen right now. Making your cold remedies at home does not require a degree in chemistry or any fancy lab equipment.

I can think of at least three good reasons for making homemade medicinal remedies. One, not only do you know what the ingredients are; you can pronounce their names! The recipes in this guide use herbs, spices, essential oils and some common fruits and vegetables.

Two, you will probably have most of the ingredients already. You can buy the ingredients in any local grocery or health food store. No need to get dressed and run to the drug store when you are feeling ill. You only need to walk as far as your kitchen.

Three, since the remedies use only natural ingredients you will not have to worry about side effects. Most of the recipes are old ones that have stood the test of time. The remedies existed before the invention of all of these fancy chemicals. Our ancestors used them because they work.

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