Vaporizers: Their Cold Fighting Benefits

Billions of dollars each year are spent on preventing and treating the common cold and flu virus. Many treatments have been found to be ineffective for this, and many doctors have cautioned against regularly using many over-the-counter medicines. This has been especially true of usage in children, the products treat the symptoms and not the viruses themselves. What can one do to safely prevent and treat colds without breaking the bank in an effective manner? Although you can not prevent every cold, there are some low cost ways which actually work for stopping colds and treating the symptoms. You may not know it, but a vaporizer purchased from any major retailer can aid in your fight against cold season. With this and a few normal household items, you can start feeling better.

You'll first want to buy a vaporizer, if you don't already have one. These usually cost less than $15 at most major retailers, such as Walmart. A good tip is to buy one as soon as they become available and before cold season really starts. I have noticed that the prices get higher, when temperatures get colder. The regular Vick's Vaporizer is the type which you add tap water to with either liquid or oil-based vapor rub. This stuff won't usually cost over $5 at Walmart either way. They contain menthol or camphor as an active ingredient, which is an expectorant. Expectorants help to keep your nasal passages and airways open and clear. This will help you breath easier, especially when you have a cold. Menthol is synthetically made from peppermint and other mint oils. It is similar to capsaicin, which is a chemical responsible for hot peppers' spicy taste (this stimulates heat sensors, as well without causing an actual rise in temperature). Menthol increases the efficiency of ibuprofen as well, so that users won't have to take as much for it to effectively work. The vaporizer will create a steam with the menthol, so that you will breath it in.

If you're more of a naturalist, then you may want to use your own herbs or spices to add into your vaporizer. As mentioned, hot spices, such as red pepper are also expectorants for clearing your passages. People who like to use herbs or supplements that are said to boost immunity, can even add those as well. Avid users of echinacea, goldenseal, or chamomile can pop a couple of the supplements open into the vaporizer if desired. Some people believe that breathing herbs in through vapors makes them more effective. Either way, the steam will help to prevent a stuffy nose, or clear a previously blocked one. It's a great way to keep your kids from having sore throats, or to clean a child's nose without having to fight them with an aspirator. Some mothers use chamomile in a vaporizer at night to help sooth their little ones to sleep as well. Vaporizers can be a great asset in keeping you from catching colds as well as helping to treat the symptoms.