MISCONCEPTIONS
Myth: Spending time outside in cold weather
can cause a cold or flu.
Fact: Exposure to cold weather does not
bring on a cold or flu. It can, however, cause
pneumonia, which can come about when
someone already has a flu.
Myth: Youll get sick if you dont wear a coat.
Fact: Cold and flu are caused by viruses.
They do circulate during cold-weather
seasons, but youre more likely to pick them
up inside than out. Going out and getting
more ohysical activity and not just during flu
season may help prevent sickness.
Myth: It is possible to catch the flu from a flu
shot.
Fact: Flu vaccines are made from inactive
virus, so it is impossible to get flu from it.
Some people may be sore where the vaccine
is injected and may feel unwell for a couple
of days with fever and muscles aches.
Anyone who is acutely ill with fever or is
allergic to egg or other component of the
vaccine should not get a flu shot
Myth: Large doses of vitamin C can prevent
colds and cure them quickly
Fact: This is not proven, although consuming
daily requirement for vitamin C is good for
overall health.
Myth: A bowl of chicken soup can help cure
a cold.
Fact: Chicken soup has no power to cure a
cold. However, hot liquids can soothe a
scratchy throat or a cough.
Myth: Vicks VapoRub in your socks cures
coughs.
Fact: In 2007, a widely circulated email
recommended putting Vicks VapoRub on
childrens feet at night and covering them
with socks to cure cough.
VapoRub, usually applied to childs chest or
throat , releases vapors that are intended to
relieve cough symptoms when inhaled.
Myth: Wearing garlic prevents colds
Fact: the pungent odor may keep infection-
spreading friends and workmates away but
you have to actually ingest it for its benefits.
Garlic is rich in antioxidants, which boost
immunity and fight inflammation. Experts
recommend a clove or two in the diet.
HOME REMEDIES
A. Rest and adequate hydration
drink at least 2 liters of water,
B. Steam inhalation loosens
secretions for easier expectoration
C. Turning and moving about
facilitates mobilization of secretions
for easier expectoration
D. Herbal preparations
Ginger contains essential oils,
antioxidants and oleoresin.
Oleoresin is known for is antitussive
abilities. The aromatic compounds
found in ginger are the
phenylalkylketones, which are
known as gingerols, shogaols and
zingerone (chemical compounds
that provide ginger with its medicinal
qualities and ability to soothe
coughs)
Tamarind fruit has mucoadhesive
polymer, consisting of a natural
polysaccharide referred to as
tamarind-gum polysaccharide
(TGP), has been described as a
viscosity enhancer with
mucomimetic activity.
Tamarind, Ginger and Kalamansi Syrup
2 ways on how to prepare:
a. Boil about 2 inches (2 thumb size)
of ginger in 2 cups boiling water for
15 to 20 minutes to make salabat.
Strain and set aside. Strain pulp of
1 to 2 ripe sampalok. Add juice to
2-3 kalamansi fruits. Add to salabat
and sweeten with sugar or honey.
 Take every four hours or 3 to 4
times daily.
b. Wash 1 glass of sampalok leaves
and place in pot. Wash ginger. Cut
into small pieces not removing the
skin and place over the leaves. Add
1 glass of water. Place pot over low
fire. Cook until one glass of
decoction remains. Do not cover
the pot while cooking. Boil for 30
minutes. Strain. Measure the
decoction and add sugar. For every
glass decoction, add one
tablespoon of sugar. Boil mixture in
low fire until it is syrupy. Shortly
before removing the syrup, add the
calamansi juice. Adult: 1 tbsp 3-4
times a day; children 1 tsp 3 times
a day
Lagundi can prevent the bodys
production of leukotrienes which
are involve in the inflammatory
response, has Chrysoplenol D, a
substance with anti-histamine and
muscle relaxant properties
Boil 5 to 6 dried leaves or 8 to 10
fresh leaves in one glass of water
for 15 minutes. Strain and drink a
glass every four hours for adults.
Guava Guava leaf is rich in
flavonoids, especially quercetin.
These compounds have
antibacterial activity, may reduce
mucus hence improves breathing
Boil one cup of Bayabas leaves in
three cups of water for 8 to 10
minutes.
Yerba Buena contains menthol as
its major component which has
aromatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic
properties.
Dry Yerba buena leaves for about two
weeks. Crush Yerba buena leaves into
pieces. Boil the dried Yerba buena
leaves in water. 2 tablespoon of dried
Yerba buena leaves to one cup water.
Let it seep for 30 minutes. Strain the
leaves. Take the Yerba buena herbal
tea for 4 to 6 times daily.
Sambong contains flavonoids and
camphor with analgesic, aromatic
and antibacterial properties.
Boil sambong leaves to make a tea.
Leaf decoction is an expectorant. Take
one glass every four hours
Oregano - Oregano contains carvacrol
which has antimicrobial, analgesic,
antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory,
antiplatelet properties.
Leaf infusion is a cure for asthma,
juice from leaves with added sugar is
given to children with cough, asthma
and bronchitis.
Boil two cups of water for every
handful of dried material or three
handfuls of fresh ones. Cover for about
15 to 20 minutes, strain and flavor
with sugar if desired