Do you have a chesty cough, cold, runny nose and/or a sore throat? Here are 5 tried and trusted ways to get rid of symptoms for good.
If you’re one of the many who can get up to four colds a year, then it’s time to take some action. We’ve found some unusual ways to help kick that cold to the kerb.
If you’re worried about recovering from colds, then sit back and tune in. Music may have stress-reducing effects by helping to lower cortisol levels and improve mood. Stress plays an important role in the body’s immune and recovery processes so keeping it in check may help support the immune system against winter colds.
If your throat is sore, and just won’t go away, it may be time to try a salt gargle. Add one teaspoon of salt into a full glass of water, swish around your mouth and throat and spit it out (don’t swallow it). Some research has found that gargling with salt water may help cough and cold symptoms.
The clinically trialled Ivy leaf extract EA 575® found in Prospan has been shown to relieve chesty coughs and can be used by the whole family. One study showed an improvement in 95% of patients suffering cough and chest congestion symptoms, after taking Prospan for seven days. How does it work? By thinning and bringing up mucus from the lungs, helping to clear chest congestion and assisting you to cough more effectively and less often.
Need another reason to don your workout gear? People who exercise regularly are less likely to get a cold. A study of 1,000 people found that staying active nearly halved the odds of catching a cold and, even if they did, experienced less severe symptoms.
Now this is a remedy we can get behind! Cocoa-rich dark chocolate contains theobromine, a component that may help suppress the nerve activity responsible for coughing. Research shows that it could help with a persistent cough.
References available on request.
