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.
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