What helps fight colds? Part 2

In Part 1, I gave you some ideas for preventing and stopping colds.  But in this article, I want to focus on if you have a blocked or stuffy nose.

Propolis

This is found in a variety of comercial cold remedies.  A water based nasal spray tested on children has been show to improve the symptoms of comon cold and reduce the number of disease-causing bugs in the airways.

Steam

If I get a blocked nose, I inhale steam to assit me to blow my nose clear.

Nasal Rinsing

This technique is where you use a container called a neti pot or nasal cup filled with a salt water solution to flush ou the nasal passages.  This can be used to both treat and prevent colds.  There is evidence that it can help clear a blocked nose, soothe a sore throat and even reduce the chanes of getting sick again.  If using a neti pot doesn’t apeal you can buy saline nasal sprays.

References

Crişan I, Zaharia CN, Popovici F, Jucu V, Belu O, Dascălu C, Mutiu A, Petrescu A. Natural propolis extract NIVCRISOL in the treatment of acute and chronic rhinopharyngitis in children. Rom J Virol. 1995 Jul-Dec;46(3-4):115-33.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9179964

Slapak I, Skoupá J, Strnad P, Horník P. Efficacy of isotonic nasal wash (seawater) in the treatment and prevention of rhinitis in children. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2008 Jan;134(1):67-74.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209140

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