Common Cold Diet

To treat a cold by means of customary suppressive drugs like aspirin, codeine, etc., will only pave the way for future trouble of a more serious nature.



For, such a treatment puts a sudden stop to the eliminative process then taking place and forces the toxic matter back into the tissues again. Moreover, drugs have no effect on the duration of the cold. It has been aptly said that a cold can be cured in a week by taking medicines; otherwise it will subside in seven days.

Diet for Common Cold:

The only real treatment for colds is a proper diet. The best way to begin the treatment is to put the patient on a fast for two days. Nothing should be taken during this period except warm water mixed with lemon juice and honey or fruit juice and hot water. A liquid diet of fruit juice in large amounts is necessary to neutralise the acid condition of the blood and hot drinks are needed to help clear and kidneys. Pineapple juice in particular is highly beneficial. A warm water enema should be used daily to cleanse the bowels during this period.

The short juice fast may be followed by an exclusive fresh fruit diet for three days. In this regimen; the patient should have three meals a day of fresh, juicy fruits such as apples, pears, grapes, grapefruits, oranges, pineap¬ples, peaches, melons or any other juicy fruit in season.



Bananas, dried or stewed or tinned fruits should not be taken. No other foodstuff should be added to the diet as otherwise the whole value of the treatment would be lost.
After the exclusive fruit diet, the patient may gradual¬ly embark upon a well-balanced diet of three basic food groups, namely seeds, nuts and grains, vegetables and fruits. It is advisable to avoid, meat, fish, eggs, cheese and starchy foods for few days.

The patient should strengthen the system, as a whole by taking a diet which should supply all the vitamins and minerals the body needs. Vitamin C, however, heads these nutrients. It protects the person from infec¬tion and acts as a harmless antibiotic It is found in citrus green leafy vegetables, sprouted Chickpea and gram.
According to Dr. Linus Pauling, a noble prize-winning scientist, the regular use of "this vitamin in the optimum amount will prevent the common cold and if a cold already appeared, large doses of this vitamin will the symptoms and shorten its duration. He estimates that one to two grams or 1000 mg.



To 2000. Day is approximately "the optimum amount of this. His advice is to swallow on e or two 500 mg. Of vitamin C at the appearance of first sign of the d continue the treatment by "taking an additional, tablet very hour.

Garlic oil combined with onion juice, diluted with water and drunk several times a day, has been found, in studies to be extremely effective in the treatment man cold. Steam inhalation will help relieve the congestion of the nasal tissues. Gargling with hot water mixed with salt is beneficial for a sore throat. Cold chest packs should be applied two or three times a day as they will relieve congestion of Lungs and help in eliminating the accumulated mucus.
Other useful measures in "the treatment of common cold are a mild sunbath, fresh air and deep breathing, brisk walks, sound sleep, adjustment 0f one's clothes and habits to the requirements of the season, so as to nullify the effect of weather fluctuations.

TREATMENT CHART FOR COMMON COLD

A - DIET

I. Fast on raw juices for three to five days. Take a glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice, diluted with water on 50:50 basis, every two hours. Use warm-water enema daily during this period.

II. Fruit diet for further three to five days, taking three meals a day of fresh juicy fruits at five-hourly intervals.

III. Therefore, adopt a well-balanced diet as follows:-

1. Upon arising: A glass of lukewarm water with half a freshly squeezed lime and a teaspoon of honey.

2. Breakfast: Fresh fruit, a glass of milk, sweetened with honey and some seeds or nuts.

3. Lunch: A bowl of freshly prepared steamed vegetables, two or three whole-wheat wheat tortilla and a glass of buttermilk.

4. Mid-afternoon: A glass of fresh fruit or vegetable juice.

5. Dinner: A good-sized raw vegetable salad and sprouts with limejuice dressing, followed by a hot course if desired.

Home remedies: Lime, Garlic soup, ginger, lady's fingers, turmeric and vitamin C.

AVOID: Tea, coffee, sugar, white flour 2nd products made from them, refined foods, fried foods, flesh foods, condiments, pickles, alcohol and smoking.

B - OTHER MEASURES

1.



Wet chest pack for one hour every morning on an empty stomach.

2. A hot-Epsom salts bath twice a week in the night.

3. Fresh air, brisk walks and yogasanas.

4. Massage once a week.