Nature & Pathology of the Disease
The common cold (acute coryza) is the most frequent acute catarrhal condition affecting mankind. It is an acute inflammation of the mucous membranes lining the upper respiratory tract, particularly the nasal passages, nasopharynx, and frontal sinuses.
In nature cure, a cold is not regarded as a disease to be feared or suppressed, but as a constructive eliminative crisis—the body natural housekeeping operation. When the bloodstream and lymphatic vessels become overloaded with uneliminated metabolic wastes and mucus, the body initiates a cold to purge this morbid accumulation through the mucous membranes of the head and throat.
Attempting to suppress a cold with chemical antihistamines and decongestants forces toxic residues back into deeper internal organs, laying the foundation for chronic sinusitis, bronchitis, and asthma.
Symptoms & Clinical Manifestations
The symptoms of the common cold typically run a distinct course lasting from three to seven days:
Causes: Systemic Catarrh & Lowered Resistance
The primary cause of the common cold, from the nature cure viewpoint, is constitutional catarrhal toxemia resulting from overeating, wrong food choices, and sluggish elimination.
Overeating & Mucus-Forming Foods: Excessive intake of white sugar, refined flour, dairy products, and fried foods creates undigested catarrhal residues that overload lymphatic drainage.
Chilling as Trigger: Sudden chilling of wet feet or damp clothing drives surface blood inward, triggering acute eliminative catarrh when cellular resistance is low.
Dietary Cure: The Eliminative Fasting Protocol
The nature cure treatment of the common cold is based on the famous naturopathic principle: "Starve a cold, feed a fever." Withholding solid food allows vital energy to clear toxic deposits.
Special Foods & Traditional Remedies
Several time-tested natural foods provide rapid relief and speed recovery:
Hydrotherapy, Sweating & Rest
Natural physical therapies abort cold symptoms and equalize circulation:
Hot Foot Bath & Sweating Treatment: Immerse feet in hot water (105°F to 110°F) for 15 to 20 minutes while drinking hot water with lemon or hot ginger tea. Keep body covered with a woolen blanket to induce profuse sweating. Follow with a quick cold friction sponge and rest in bed. This relieves head congestion.
Steam Inhalation: Inhaling steam from boiling water infused with eucalyptus oil or camphor for 10 minutes clears blocked nasal passages and relieves frontal sinus pressure.
Saline Nasal Rinse (Jala Neti): Rinsing the nasal cavities with lukewarm mild salt water clears tenacious mucus and reduces mucosal swelling.
Complete Bed Rest & Fresh Air: Rest in bed in a warm, well-ventilated, draft-free room. Deep abdominal breathing once nasal passages are clear accelerates toxic elimination.