It's no mystery. You can stop the misery and accompanying throat irritation, sneezing, runny nose, that the cold bug, or the accompanying the high fever, body aches, sore throat, dry cough, that the more serious flu virus incubating in your body brings.

Sure, if you do catch the cold or flu, you can reduce the unpleasant symptoms by treating yourself or loved one with natural home remedies for the common cold. However, why not take the effort to prevent cold flu, especially the more contagious airborne influenza virus?

Vicks Vapor Rub is just one remedy to relieve cough symptoms. Honey is another natural cough medicine that works. Actually, honey provides better relief for nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or over-the-counter cough suppressant dextromethorphan (DM) -- according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. Apple cider vinegar is the third effective and safe home remedy that's recommended for natural cold relief of cough symptoms.

Now a traditional kitchen table medicine from Vermont recorded by D.C. Jarvis in his book Folk Medicine prevents cold. In a glass of water, add 1 teaspoon each of apple cider vinegar and honey, mix together and drink once per day to prevent colds and flu from attacking your immune system. This tonic also serves as a daily multivitamin. You can also take teaspoon of apple cider straight or "neat" as D.C. states each day but I'd drink water to prevent potential corrosion of the enamel. The acid in apple cider vinegar becomes alkaline in your body and helps balance the acidic pH levels. It is when your body pH levels drop, antigens like bacteria, viruses, and other parasites attack your system. In other words, disease-causing organisms cannot survive in an alkaline environment.

If you feel a cold coming on, take apple cider vinegar. This is your only chance to knock the infectious agent dead in its tracks; otherwise, it will have to run its course. At the onset of a cold or flu, the body is more alkaline and the acidity of vinegar helps align the alkalinity of the body, causing the body to heal itself. Take a teaspoon of vinegar in an 8oz glass of water three times a day.

It is a good idea to work apple cider vinegar to your diet by adding it to drinks, or making salad dressings, especially during the cold season. Potassium and its associated minerals and acids in apples, apple cider, and apple cider vinegar is the secret to the adage "An apple a day keeps the doctor away;" I'll add, "and OTC or prescription drugs at bay". Yep! You'll save money and avoid side effects of drugs too. Healthy Being founder Melissa Gallagher, says she prefers the fermented apple cider vinegar because it is rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements like potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, sulfur, phosphorus; healthy acids and enzymes; has a significant amount of sediment that rests on the bottle of the bottle; and is more concentrated than apples and cider. The vinegar form has proven to help slow down mucus production, sinus problems and watery eyes because of the potent levels of potassium it contains.

Use this healthy preventative medicine secret this season and every other.