Gotta Cold? Go For The Whiskey

Ever since the first human sneezed in a drafty cave, we’ve been looking for a cure for the common cold. Guess what thousands of years of science and research have brought us? Bupkis. Nada. Zilch. There is no cure for the common cold. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t find relief and the best relief might just be in a bottle of whiskey.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Sure, if I’m drunk who cares if I have a cold?” This isn’t about getting blitzed at the first sniffle. Instead, a little bit of whiskey can help with the symptoms. Emphasis on “a little bit.” Keep in mind that any type of alcohol is a diuretic. That’s the fancy medical term for saying it sucks the fluids out of your body. Ever wake up from a long night of drinking dying of thirst? That’s the booze talking. Want to know how to prevent a hangover? Drink a glass of water before going to bed. We digress…

“The alcohol dilates blood vessels a little bit, and that makes it easier for your mucus membranes to deal with the infection,” Dr. William Schaffner, chair of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, recently declared on the ABC News.

Along with drinking plenty of other fluids, the classic hot toddy would be the way to go. It’s honey, lemon juice, hot water and a shot of whiskey. The hot toddy will relieve some nasal congestion. That’s a good thing. Plus, it’s fun saying “Hot toddy.”