With the cold and flu season upon the Pace community, it is important that students and faculty are aware of natural, holistic methods which can prove reliable for preventing and treating colds.

Community living and cold weather increase the risk for colds. While one should always visit the health services center or a doctor in the event of a serious cold, it is not always easy to find time for an appointment. According to Abby Phon, of Mind, Body, Green, there are simple holistic remedies that individuals can try for themselves.

First, one might try apple cider vinegar. Mixing two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, one to two tablespoons of honey, lemon juice, and some hot water to sip three times a day can help clear sinuses.

To decrease inflammation, combat a sore throat, and increase immune support, ginger tea can prove useful.

Adding fruits high in Vitamin C and D to the diet can overall improve the immune system and help prevent colds in the long run. Such fruits include strawberries, oranges, kiwi, and papaya. Foods such as fish can help as well. By adding one to two tablespoons of local, raw honey to those cups of ginger tea, the body is provided with extra antioxidants and the boosting of immune function.

People should try to avoid sugar. It offers little health benefit and can prolong a cold.

As is true when in top shape, eating healthy and light can also help when sick. Thus the body uses energy for recuperating rather than digesting an overwhelming amount of food.

Last but not least, the most basic of self-care rules is to get as much rest as possible. Symptoms are the body’s way of expressing a need for recuperation and relaxation. It’s important to give your body the rest and attention it needs.

Both faculty and students have rather demanding schedules, between courses, personal circumstances, and participation in on-campus events and organizations. With such hectic, potentially stressful circumstances, an immune system can weaken and make individuals more susceptible to colds.

Holistic medicine has been practiced throughout history. These days, about 38 percent of Americans implement holistic methods in their health and wellness practices, according to the National Health Interview Survey in 2014.

Holistic medicine is a form of healing that also takes the individual’s lifestyle into consideration when treating symptoms and for much more.

Holistic medicine can be used to encourage a balanced lifestyle, reduce dependence on potentially unnecessary or addictive medications, and is sensitive to each patient on a case-by-case basis. No one universal treatment exists for all patients; every individual has their own needs.

Additionally, holistic medicine sponsors the belief that a person is responsible for his or her own wellbeing, healing is a team effort, and treatments tries to deal with the cause not merely the symptoms.