20 natural home remedies for the common cold
HEALTH CONDITIONS
Cold season is here! Although the cold-and-flu season is not as long as its name indicates, it can still last from December to March—or longer. There are a few remedies that are inexpensive and work for most people.
We've all experienced the dreadful feeling of a cold coming on as adults. It's never fun to have a stuffy nose, a sore throat, a cough, or simply feeling under the weather. Although there is no cure for the common cold, there are several home remedies that can help relieve symptoms and make you feel better. Here are 20 natural home remedies for common colds:
Drink plenty of fluids. Drinking lots of fluids, such as water, juice, herbal teas, and warm soups will help keep your throat moist and help flush out toxins that might be causing the cold.
Use a humidifier. Using a humidifier can help add moisture to the air, which can help loosen congestion and relieve a sore throat.
Take a hot bath or shower. Taking a hot bath or shower can help loosen congestion, reduce muscle aches, and help you feel less stuffy.
Sip warm liquids. Drinking warm liquids, such as tea and broth, can help reduce the severity of a sore throat, as well as help clear the nasal passages.
Gargle with salt water. Gargling with salt water can help soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation.
Use a saline nasal spray. Using a saline nasal spray can help reduce mucus buildup and help clear the nasal passages.
Drink hot lemon water. Drinking hot lemon water can help reduce mucus buildup, soothe a sore throat, and help boost your immune system.
Use a neti pot. Using a neti pot can help flush out the nasal passages, reduce mucus buildup, and help relieve sinus pressure.
Take a steamy shower. Taking a steamy shower can help reduce nasal congestion and open the airways.
Drink honey and lemon tea. Drinking honey and lemon tea can help reduce mucus buildup and soothe a sore throat.
Use eucalyptus oil. Using eucalyptus oil in a diffuser can help reduce congestion and open airways.
Take a hot drink with honey. Taking a hot drink with honey can help reduce a sore throat and reduce mucus buildup.
Use essential oils. Using essential oils, such as peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus oil, can help reduce congestion and open airways.
Use menthol and eucalyptus rubs. Using menthol and eucalyptus rubs can help reduce congestion and open airways.
Eat garlic. Eating garlic can help boost your immune system and reduce mucus buildup.
Take vitamin C. Taking Vitamin C can help boost your immune system and reduce the severity of a cold.
Drink elderberry tea. Drinking elderberry tea can help reduce the severity of a cold and reduce mucus buildup.
Take zinc. Taking zinc can help reduce the severity of a cold and reduce mucus buildup.
Eat chicken soup. Eating chicken soup can help reduce congestion and soothe a sore throat.
Get plenty of rest. Getting plenty of rest can help reduce the severity of a cold and help your body fight off the virus.
Regardless of whether you prefer the alternative treatments listed above, having these ingredients on hand can be a lifesaver for cold sufferers. Remedies for the common cold are plentiful and readily available, but it may take awhile before you find one that works best for you. Experiment with a few before settling on one you like.