Battling the sniffles as the UK weather turns nippy?
Colds are a common nuisance, with symptoms like congested noses, sore throats, sneezing, and achy bodies. Luckily, there’s no shortage of medicines and natural remedies to fight off a cold.
A Californian pharmacist has shared her secret to beating a cold in under 24 hours using a simple household item. In a video, Ariana Medizade claimed: “I’m going to tell you exactly how to cure a cold in 24 hours or less with something that you already have at home.”
The Instagram influencer with over 106,000 followers advised: “As soon as you feel sick, grab two garlic cloves and cut them into small pieces, small enough so that you can swallow them and literally take them like a supplement.”
, as reported by Surrey Live, reports the Mirror.
She explained: “Garlic contains allicin which is a potent compound that signals your immune cells to start combating any bacteria or viruses that have invaded your body. The reason why this works so effectively, I’m telling you overnight, is because allicin is a compound that rapidly absorbs into your bloodstream, thereby giving your immune system a significant boost to help ward off any viruses or bacteria.”
A health expert has shared her top tips for nipping a cold in the bud, advising: “The best time to use this is right when you feel those first signs of a cold, a tickle in your throat, a slight headache, fatigue.”
She also recommends turning to garlic to ward off these initial symptoms and doesn’t stop there, suggesting another potent ingredient from the kitchen – onions. She added: “The next thing that people are going to think I’m so weird for is the onion hack, and basically you need to chop up the onions and leave it out in your room.”
“Onions contain sulphur compounds that purify the air and absorb airborne germs. I know it sounds weird, it’s more of a traditional immune remedy, it doesn’t have a lot of scientific basis but I swear it works, my mum has been doing it ever since I was like four.”
However, while these home remedies are sworn by some, the NHS cautions that evidence supporting the effectiveness of garlic, vitamin C, echinacea, or other supplements in preventing or speeding up recovery from colds is limited. Nonetheless, studies suggest garlic may have several health benefits:.
– Immune system: Aged garlic extract could enhance immune cell function, which may reduce the severity of colds.
– Antiviral properties: Garlic might have antiviral effects that prevent viruses from entering cells or replicating.
– Antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties.
Research has highlighted the potent antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties of garlic. Some even suggest that a combination of garlic cloves and honey could help with sinus issues and soothe sore throats.
However, Cleveland Clinic Health Essentials has suggested that fermented garlic honey doesn’t hold any special healing or preventative powers.
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