How many times have you bunked your office/school/college because you have a cold? And how many times have you heard the words ‘but it’s just a cold!’
A common cold may seem like a mundane nuisance, but it sure can cause severe discomfort and make you feel really ill.
The common cold is notorious for causing a whole range of symptoms, like headache, sore throat, fever, cough and stuffy, blocked nose. If you are suffering from a cold, do not waste your hard earned money on OTC meds and decongestants, as there is no cure for it. Instead, opt for home remedies for common cold that will make your life easier and help you cope better with the symptoms.
A cold means production of mucus in your respiratory track. By drinking a lot of fluids, you will help thin the mucus, which can flow freely and be expelled from your body. The mucus also contains the virus that causes common cold and this means you will be helping your body heal quicker. Usually, you should be looking to sip water or drink hot tea every two hours. Drink about eight ounces of fluid each time.
There is no better cure for the common cold than rest. Not only will you help your body recover from the bout of cold quickly, you will also not spread the infection. Try to stay in bed, watch TV or read a book. Yes, you do need rest, even if it’s just a cold!
Remember how your mum used to give you chicken soup when you had a cold as a child? Well, she did understand the benefits of this home remedy! The fumes from the soup will thin the mucus and help it flow out of your nose, while the soup by itself has nutrients that will boost your energy levels and aid in the healing process.
Both ginger and cloves have been used in Asian cultures for centuries for their medicinal and anti-inflammatory properties. A paste made of cloves, ginger, and salt can cure common cold and also help alleviate some of the symptoms. Take half teaspoon of this paste twice a day.
The common cold usually causes your nose to get stuffy and blocked. This can make breathing difficult. Steam inhalation is the best home remedy for common cold that clears the stuffiness accompanied with common cold. You can also add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in the water if you like.
Citrus fruits, such as oranges and lemons, contain Vitamin C, which helps to boost your immune system. This helps your body fight the virus better and hasten the healing process.
If you are sneezing and troubled by a runny nose, you will be amazed at what ground black pepper can do. Mix about half teaspoon of fresh ground pepper in a glass of lukewarm water. Stir it well and drink this concoction. It will stem the flow of mucus and also stop the sneezing. You can also gargle with ground pepper water to help your throat pain.
Forget those over-the-counter nose drops that are so common nowadays. Instead, make your own nose drops by mixing 1/4 teaspoon salt and eight ounces of water. Fill this salt solution into a nasal spray bottle and use it 4 to 6 times a day. It will not only thin the mucus, but also allow it to be expelled from your nose.
Dry indoor environment can make you feel uncomfortable. You will find your nasal passage getting dry and this can cause some irritation. Also, dry nasal passages provide the ideal environment for the virus to proliferate and make your cold worse. Run a humidifier in the room to supply moisture to the air inside and this will keep your nose and nasal tissue moist.
Enough cannot be said about the curative properties of turmeric. Always keep turmeric powder at home. You will find it in an Asian grocery store. Get your portable barbecue going and sprinkle some of the powder on the coals. Now inhale the fumes. Not only will this hasten your recovery, it will also help unblock your nose, letting you breathe more easily.
Do try these home remedies for common cold the next time you are struck down with one. Usually, you would have to use a combination of few remedies, but trust me when I say, they are very effective.