NyQuil is one of the most popular over-the-counter (OTC) cold and flu treatments. It’s sold under the Vicks brand, and comes in various forms and flavors.  It’s designed to ease nighttime cold and flu symptoms. It is usually considered safe and effective but unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth.

What’s Inside: NyQuil, Fortified With Dangerous Ingredients!

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Inactive ingredients:

alcohol, citric acid, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Red No. 40, flavor, high fructose corn syrup, PEG-40 stearate, polyethylene glycol, povidone, propylene glycol, purified water, saccharin sodium, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate, xanthan gum.

Acetaminophen

Acetaminophen depletes levels of glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant. Glutathione helps protect cells from damage by free radicals. Taken over several days, as little as 25 percent above the maximum dose, has been found to cause liver damage. (study)

Dextromethorphan HBr
A cough suppressant. Did you know that in the body it becomes dextrorphan, a cough suppressant, and levorphanol, a painkiller much more powerful than morphine? Improper use of this medication can lead to serious consequences (such as brain damage, seizure, death).

Polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol
It has been found that PEGs contain impurities, such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. These substances are known carcinogens and respiratory irritants.

Flavor
A general term for undisclosed additives that may be harmful to health.  In processed food, this mixture of chemicals is called “flavor.” The same mixture of chemicals would be called “fragrance” if it were found in cleaning products, perfumes or cosmetics.

High fructose corn syrup

HFCS has been shown to increase the risk of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease.

FD&C Red No. 40 is an artificial food dye shown in a 2012 medical review be contaminated with carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) . “Red 40” specifically contain benzidenes,which cause Bladder and Pancreatic forms of Cancer. (study)

There’s no reason to subject your body to the chemicals and unfortunate side effects of taking traditional cold medications. There are natural alternatives with so side effects:

Elderberry (find it here) is what I use during the winter to keep the nasties away. This is the natural alternative to NyQuil I have been using successfully. I  take a tablespoon a day if it seems like we are getting a little cold and it gets rid of it fast! (find it here)

Additionally, you can use Chestal Honey. It is a daytime and nighttime solution. (find it here)