Cold remedies are almost as common as the common cold. Who can prevent a cold from coming, but curing the cold quickly can save you from bouts of sneezing, mounting headaches, the pain of congestion, and a Rudolf red nose! While over-the-counter treatments are effective in curbing the symptoms, going with a natural approach can likely help in keeping the body free of harsh chemicals and sedatives in the long run. Here are 5 easy, home remedies I swear by – try them and kick that cold in the butt!
- Inhaling steam – The oldest trick in the book. Use a deep vessel/ container and fill up about half with water. Bring it up to steaming hot. At this stage you may choose to add a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil to the water. With a towel covered over your head look into the vessel and inhale the steam. Do not bend your face too low and be sure to take breaks in between to wipe the moisture off. Do this a few times. A very helpful way to get that mucus out effectively and get relief from congestion.
- Garlic water – Take a few (appx. 9-10) cloves of fresh garlic and chop up into pieces (medium size, not too small). Add them to 2 cups of room temperature water and let it soak for 1-2 hours. Strain the water and keep sipping throughout the day. Garlic is a natural antiseptic and helps recover faster from colds & flu.
- Herbal teas – Fresh ginger (appx. 1-2 inches) added to hot water, topped with half spoon of honey and 1 tbsp of lime juice does wonders when suffering from a cold. This can be consumed 2-3 times a day. Echinacea tea is also very helpful in providing relief from colds. Turmeric is another herb that not only helps soothe cold symptoms but is a very good soother for a sore throat as well. It aids in loosening the chest mucus/ congestion. Consume 1 tsp of turmeric added to half tsp of honey mixed in hot water.
- Humidifier – Will help add moisture to your immediate environment, which will keep your nasal tissues moist. This is helpful because dry nasal membranes provide poor protection against viral invasion. Dry nasal passages are prime breeding grounds for the cold virus.
- Hot water baths – These will help soothe the body and loosen up the congestion, leaving you feeling fresh and less tired.
Bonus tip! Rest well – Nothing beats a cold like good rest and sound sleep. Lie under that blanket and let your immune system do its job!
Remember, serious conditions can sometimes masquerade as the common cold. If you have severe symptoms or are feeling sicker with each passing day, or if the symptoms stay the same for 2 weeks, it would be helpful to see a doctor.
