Summer Colds: Debunking Home Remedies
As if the merciless summer heat beating against your back isn't bad enough, your nose keeps running, your throat feels like you've emptied two bottles of vodka the night before, and the chills just won't go away.
Though these signs are eerily similar to allergies (or a hangover for some), the real cause behind your body-aching in above 30 degree weather is most probably due to a cold. Remember the good old days when mom would fix a steaming bowl of chicken noodle soup while you stayed in to watch cartoons? Well, it's Beijing and while a bowl of Chinese chicken soup may sound like the local equivalent, your Chinese colleague suggests a bowl of hot Coke with shredded ginger.
It's true - better known as 姜丝可乐 (jiangsi kele) amongst the locals, they believe that this hot beverage will help chase away the chills.
Your expat buddy begs to differ. “Get some pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, man. It helps clear up your nose and helps you sleep.” You decide to ditch the boiled soda and heavy-sounding drugs, instead ask for more sensible ideas that might also help alleviate your growling stomach.
“Eat dishes with a lot of ginger.”
“Go for a run.”
“Get some porridge.”
“Honey-lemon tea always helps.”
“It's critical to drink lots of hot chicken broth.”
“Want some raw garlic? I'm snacking on some right now.”
“Try Korean. Go for the spicy soups!”
“Drink some Italian salad dressing. You won't get another cold for years to come if you continue having it daily.”
So many options, so little energy. During lunchtime, you find the nearest Korean restaurant for some kimchi jiggae and hot ginger tea for dessert. By the time you return to the office, your sinuses feel like they have been unclogged by a nasal plunger. So, does ginger really work?
According to Dr. Jefferson, MD at Beijing's OASIS Healthcare, there is a slice of truth in that statement. Mother Nature's spicy root is known to be antiviral and proven useful since colds are caused by viruses. Dr. Jefferson warns against those who turn to antibiotics the moment they begin to feel unwell. Antibiotics are not advisable for the common cold, so hold off the meds during the first week. However, cold-like symptoms that persist for more than seven days can be indicative of allergies or other bacterial infections such as stomach/respiratory bugs or stomach flu, all very common during the summer. By then, a trip to the doctor is in order.
What can we do during the seven-day ordeal? While the Vitamin C in honey-lemon tea is deemed cure-worthy and zinc from red meats in Korean cuisine recommendable, for a higher dosage of zinc, try six fried breaded oysters over the Korean barbecue. Per the National Institute of Health (NIH) zinc chart, one portion of the serving suggestion has a whopping 76.7 mg of zinc over a measly 8.9 mg in three ounces of beef shanks.
So the next time your throat starts feeling prickly and your nose starts running, opt for the plate of oysters and some citrus over the hot chicken soup. What a happy coincidence oysters are also nature's aphrodisiac.
Photo: Idushi
