Kitchen Staple Stops Colds in Their Tracks
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted October 30, 2024
As we gear up for another cold season, you’re likely wondering how best to keep pesky viruses at bay.
Well, new research reveals the secret to fighting off colds could be sitting in your kitchen pantry.
The study has uncovered a surprisingly simple remedy that, not only could shorten the duration of colds, but also reduce their spread within families.
And the best part? It’s practically free!
Incredibly, scientists say plain old salt and water could be the secret to sailing through the cold season unscathed.
Researchers at the European Respiratory Society (ERS) Congress in Vienna, Austria, stumbled upon a game-changing discovery in the fight against the common cold.
Their weapon of choice is hypertonic saline nasal drops.
The study, which involved 407 children up to six years old, found that using these salt-water nose drops shortened the duration of colds by two days. But that’s not all. They also significantly reduced the spread of colds.
Fewer households reported family members catching the colds when children used the salt-water drops. And an impressive 82 percent of parents said the nose drops helped their child recover faster and that they would use the nose drops again in the future.
This study was done on kids. But there’s every reason to believe that adults can also directly reap the benefits of this simple remedy.
So, how does it work? The salt solution helps to…
- thin mucus, making it easier to clear from nasal passages,
- create a less hospitable environment for viruses, and
- reduce inflammation in the nasal passages.
Best of all, with your doctor’s okay, you can create your own version of hypertonic saline solution at home:
- Mix 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt or table salt with one cup of warm water.
- Add the salt to the water, microwave for one to two minutes, stir, allow it to cool, put it in an air-tight container, and keep it in the refrigerator.
- Use a clean dropper to apply three drops to each nostril, at least four times daily.
You can store the solution in the fridge for up to 24 hours. If you use distilled water, it will stay bacteria-free for weeks.
Remember, consistency is key. So, keep using the drops until your symptoms improve.
Sometimes, the most effective solutions are the simplest ones. As we head into the cold season, arm yourself with this unassuming yet powerful tool. You’ll soon find yourself spending less time nursing colds and more time enjoying the season.
P.S. Six simple tips to prevent nasty colds and the flu.
Source:
Oral presentation: Advancements in paediatric infectious respiratory health, Meeting: European Respiratory Society Congress 2024
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Stop Obsessing Over Diet Trends
Can we stop with the endless diet debates already? Every other week there’s a new headline shouting about which diet is best for weight loss, heart health, or diabetes. Paleo, keto, low-carb, high-protein… it’s exhausting. And now, a new meta-analysis is out comparing the Mediterranean diet, the DASH diet, and something called AHEI (that’s “Alternative...
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...