I think we all know the obvious treatments of plenty of rest and fluids to help our bodies get the strength to fight off the illness.  Perhaps most of us know that chicken soup (or the fats and other mysterious chemical compounds found in chicken broth) actually does help our bodies fight disease.  But are there any tried and true medical home remedies that also work?

For those who are fed up with being sick and have nothing else that seems to work for them, I really would caution you against seeking help with the drug Tamiflu.  Consider this article from USA Today on December 1, 2007:

The FDA has been reviewing reports of abnormal behavior and other brain effects in more than 1,800 children who had taken the flu medicine Tamiflu.

The symptoms have included convulsions, delirium or delusions, and in Japan, five deaths have been reported in children under 16 as a result of neurological or psychiatric problems. Four were fatal falls, and one was a brain infection in a patient with leukemia.

There have also been nine deaths among older teens and adults, attributed to neuropsychiatric problems or brain infections.

Ok, then, I guess any home remedy might be better than this kind of risk.  Let me tell you my favorites.  First of all, I “megadose”on Vitamin C, as much as my stomach can handle.  For me that is about 3,000 mg, maybe two times a day.  My husband can handle a lot more.  People like the DNA genious, Linus Pauling, did extensive research and recommendations that large doses of Vitamin C could do miraculous things to jump start a persons immune system. He even suggested that cancer could be treated and even cured in many cases with doses of Vitamin C.

Next, I take some coloidal silver.  I do not make it myself (bad batches can lead to a conditions that turns your skin blue), but buy a standardized and tested for purity brand that I can get at the local health food store.  The antiviral and antibacterial properties of coloidal silver have been known for decades.  I use it for cuts, sore throats, or anything that needs healing.  For a cold or flu it is normally suggested to take one teaspoon (for an adult) 1-2 times a day.  Don’t worry, it has no taste.  You can use smaller amounts for children.  I have noticed that silver works especially well with my little girl.  Even the worst cold gets knocked out in a couple of days with her when I use silver.

Finally, I use a few drops of hydrogen peroxide–the 3% stuff you buy in the drug store–in each ear.  This is not as weird as it sounds.  Naturopaths actually suggest this to patients.  For some reason the peroxide in the ear migrates to where the cold virus sits, like in the back of the throat, and kills it off.  It can be a weird experience and feel cold and even have you hear some pops and sizzles, but that is the peroxide doing its work.  It makes me feel better right away, and helps shorten the time of symptoms.

You can, of course, use Vitamin C, silver, and peroxide as a preventive measure before symptoms show up during cold season.  Along with these ideas, you can always find your best medical home remedies to be ones of prevention. It is suggested for maximum health to eliminate sugar from your diet.  Get the right amount of sleep, eat foods like garlic, manage stress, wash your hands regularly, exercise, and boost immunity with things like cod liver oil and probiotics.

I know that I often get lazy in the area of prevention and pay for it later.  I would love to hear from you about your ideas and your own medical home remedies.  For now, however, I think I will try some more Vitamin C and get to bed early.

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