Coping with Chronic Health Conditions: Tips

3 Natural Cold Remedies That Are Safe During Pregnancy

15 February 2017 by Freddie Cox

Getting a cold while you're pregnant is a bummer. You may already feel less than your best because of your pregnancy symptoms, so the cold symptoms may feel even worse than normal. And while there are some over-the-counter cold remedies that are safe during pregnancy, you may prefer to avoid them, or to use them only sparingly. Luckily, there are some natural cold remedies that are safe for pregnant women and their babies that will have you feeling better fast. Take a look at a few gentle cold remedies that can help relieve your symptoms and get you back on your feet.

Raw Garlic

Raw garlic can help ease your cold symptoms and boost your immune system so that you recover from your cold faster. There are a number of reasons why garlic works. It contains plenty of vitamin C, and it has antiviral and antibacterial properties. It functions as a decongestant and expectorant, so it can help you breathe better if you're feeling stuffed up and congested.

Garlic also contains allicin, an antibacterial compound that occurs when fresh garlic is crushed and before it's heated up. Allicin is the compound that's believed to be the most effective in knocking out colds. Eating raw garlic by itself may not be the best idea if your pregnancy is causing you to feel queasy—although sucking on a clove can help relieve a sore throat—but crushing a few cloves and mixing them with some honey or olive oil can make a tasty, if somewhat pungent, snack.

Chicken Soup

Did you think that chicken soup was just comfort food to eat when you're sick? It is that, but it's more than that as well. Scientists who have studied chicken soup say that it may really have medicinal value. Your grandmother was right after all.

A University of Nebraska study found that chicken soup inhibited the movement of a certain type of white cell blood cell. White blood cells fight infection, but they also produce cold symptoms. By slowing down the white blood cells, the soup was effectively reducing the symptoms. Unlike over-the-counter cold medicine, chicken soup doesn't mask cold symptoms; it stops them at the source instead.

It's unclear which ingredients cause the symptom-reducing effects. Researchers studied several soup recipes, including some brands of canned chicken soup, and found similar effects. It's possible that it's something in the combination of ingredients that causes the white blood cell inhibition. Another study also found that chicken soup did a better job of moving nasal mucus than hot water, which means that it's good for clearing a stuffed-up nose, too. And chicken soup is not only safe for your baby, but it contains plenty of nutrients that are actually healthy for your baby.

Asian Mushrooms

You may think of mushrooms primarily as a salad ingredient or a pizza topping, but some varieties have powerful medicinal qualities. Reishi mushrooms and cordyceps, for instance, both have antiviral and antibacterial properties, which makes them perfect for fending off a cold or a case of the flu. Cordyceps also have anti-inflammatory properties, which means that they may help reduce a swollen and inflamed throat. Reishi mushrooms and cordyceps are usually taken in extract, tincture, or supplement form.

Maitake mushrooms, on the other hand, taste delicious and can be eaten by themselves or with other foods. These mushrooms contain beta-glucans, which fight free radicals in your body that might hinder your immune system. In addition to their immune-supporting properties, maitake mushrooms are also rich in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. Add some to your salad so they can help your body fight off the cold.

If your cold symptoms don't seem to be getting better after a few days, make sure to call your doctor or midwife. Sometimes other pregnancy-related conditions can mimic cold symptoms, so it's better to be safe and get a check-up if you don't feel better quickly. For more information on your cold treatment options, contact a medical center like Premier Urgent Care Centers of California, Inc.

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