Alcohol and the common cold

Sweet hubby and I both have a common cold.  Seems strange to call something that makes you feel so rough should be called common.  It also seems strange that something common would baffle scientists and that no cure can be found for this dread illness.  I searched some of the most prestigious medical minds and schools as to treatments for the common cold.  The experts seem to agree that there really are no treatments, advising the afflicted to stay away from nose sprays (other than saline/salt); stay away from anti-histimines, etc.;  stay away from over the counter cures, especially cough syrups, which don't have enough of anything in them to actually do you any good; stay away from coffee, tea, and alcohol.

What do the experts suggest for this awful ailment?  Tylenol; Aspirin; homemade chicken soup; liquids, specifically juices.  Physicians can order narcotic cough syrups that will suppress your incessant coughing and soothe your throat (and make you sleep).  Physicians can also prescribe a non-steroidal cortisone dose pack to help with your inflammation, runny nose and congestion. 

If your cold moves to your chest or you develop an infection or wheezing, then you really do need to see your doctor so he/she can order specific medications for those problems, so you don't end up getting worse or with something more dangerous than the common cold.

Findings suggest that wine intake, especially red wine, may have a protective effect against common cold. Beer, spirits, and total alcohol intakes do not seem to affect the incidence of common cold, according to the American Journal of Epidemiology.  There are any number of studies that have been done on this subject, and the results seem to be the same:  "The findings might explain an increased resistance to viral infection among wine drinkers, but the relevance of any of theses or other mechanisms to the relation between wine consumption and common cold episodes remains to be established."

Healthy recipe for the day,

Sangria The Destroyer Drink Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/4 Cup Brandy, cherry (Bols)
• 2 oz. Liqueur, lychee
• 1/2 Cup Brandy (Napoleon)
• 2 oz. Triple Sec
• 2 bottles (Gamay, Pinot Noir or Cabernet Franc) Wine, red
• 2 qt. Carbonated Water/Club Soda
• 1 Cup Cranberry Juice
• 1/3 Cup Lemon Juice
• 1 Cup Orange Juice
• 3/4 Cup Sugar Syrup
• Add fresh sliced fruits as you desire

Mixing Instructions

Combine all ingredients, except the soda in a pitcher and chill completely. Sangria should age in the refrigerator for at least 24 hours in order to allow the flavors to develop. Before serving add the club soda. Pour over ice into a highball or pint class. Garnish with fresh fruit.

Never fear, the beat goes on.  The Grouch and Morbid Strangers will be playing tonight at Boondocks, HWY 70, BRUCETON, Tennessee.  Actually it's between Bruceton and Camden.   Here's the set list, 4 full sets.  I may have to fix a batch of this sangria and take with me, ha.  It won't help the cold, but I won't care either.   (Just kidding).

Comments

[Stanford Matthews]

Why would those involved with finding cures bother with the common cold? All the typical remedy products and services generate a lot of cash, including Sangria. :-)

Which is a fitting segway to this point. The more cures that are developed the less Big Pharma makes on the drugs they produce.

Ya, I know, cynical old grump.

[Debbie]

The Sangria probably makes you feel better than "drugs", is probably much cheaper than drugs plus the doctor visit.

Are you going to get your H1N1 flu shot and your regular yearly flu shot?

Better get them, we are.

[Katie]

Or you can just do my favorite cure: Chicken Soup.

I promise it will cure you, at least it won't hurt.

[Debbie]

Katie: You are correct, that seemed to be the opinion of many major medical organizations. Homemade chicken soup has something in it, I forget now, that actually does help.

...

I'm back: Homemade chicken soul has an anti-inflammatory effect that makes people feel better.

It doesn't CURE the cold, but it eases the symptoms. The fluid is good for you along with the meat, veggies, garlic...

[MK]

For me at the first sign is anything, honey and ginger, seems to do the trick for me.

[Healthy Home Remedy]

Lots of rest is the key treating a cold. I usually sleeping for 12 hours whenever I have cold I also drink lots of water. This helps my mucus flow more freely and helps with congestion.