Home remedies and handy tips to beat the common cold
Being stricken by a cold is no fun. Body aches, fever, coughs, and nasal congestion all conspire to make life a misery when nose, throat, and chest feel like they’ve been hammered and sandpapered into submission. The usual reaction is to reach for the meds. But hey, you don’t always have to trudge off to the pharmacy to seek relief. Instead, there are a wealth of natural remedies out there that can be just as effective and often more healthy for body and soul.
If you’re feeling under the weather, browse this gallery for home remedy ideas and some handy tips to beat the bug and banish the winter blues.
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Echinacea
Treat yourself to cup of echinacea tea. The herb and root of the echinacea plant has proven health benefits, and as a herbal remedy can help fight and prevent the common cold.
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Steam inhalation
Clear a stuffy, runny nose by filling a bowl with hot water and leaning over it with a towel over your head. The steam helps break up congestion in your nose.
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Carrot juice
How simple is this? Carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into vitamin A after eating them. And guess what? Vitamin A is a useful ally when we catch a cold—it keeps the mucous membranes that line our nose and throat healthy and functioning properly.
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Rosemary and sage
Rosemary and sage are classic herbs for colds and sore throats. Boil some water to make a herbal tea using the herbs, add a little dried apple and a dab of honey, and sip slowly. The brew is known to tone irritated tissues and kill bacteria.
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Menthol
Menthol, an essential oil derived from mint plants, has been found to combat blocked sinuses and congested airways. Rub some into your pillow, or add a few drops to a steam inhalation device (or your own DIY version).
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Garlic
Garlic has long been known to contain antimicrobial and antiviral properties. These support the immune system in fighting viral infections and the common cold. Purchase in capsule form rather than eating it raw, unless you don’t mind losing your friends for a few days!
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Neti pot
Using a neti pot to flush out your nasal passages with a saltwater solution can ease symptoms like congestion, pressure, and facial pain. It’s particularly effective for those with chronic sinus problems.
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Vitamin C
Stocking up on vitamin C is a great bet. It boosts your immune system and can relieve upper respiratory tract infections and other ailments.
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Eucalyptus oil
The anti-inflammatory properties of eucalyptus are well known. As an essential oil, it can be used in the form of steam inhalation to help ease cold symptoms. A few drops on a handkerchief works as an on-the-go standby.
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Gargling with salt water
Gargling with a saline solution is a simple but effective way of beating a cold. Salt water reduces phlegm and mucus in the back of the throat, which can lessen the need to cough.
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Eat spicy food
This may not be to everyone’s taste, but consuming spicy foods that contain hot peppers may be effective in treating colds and flu: cayenne pepper, for example, works as a decongestant. It should be noted, however, that cold symptoms are usually only temporarily quelled, and that hot spicy food can induce gastrointestinal symptoms.
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Probiotics
Probiotics are “helpful” bacteria and yeast found naturally in your body, some foods, and supplements. Including probiotic yogurt in your diet, for instance, may reduce your risk of getting sick with an upper respiratory infection.
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Chicken soup
Don’t knock it! This traditional remedy has among its fans the most cynical of medics. A bowl of hearty chicken soup with vegetables helps loosen up mucus and also keeps you hydrated. Take grandma’s advice!
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Get all hot and steamy
A hot shower cleans and revitalizes the body. But for those with a cold, the steam created by a shower moisturizes nasal passages and can help you relax.
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Hot toddy
An ideal bedtime drink free from caffeine, the traditional hot toddy comprises hot herbal tea, a teaspoon of honey, and a shot of whiskey or bourbon. The concoction may ease congestion, soothe your throat, alleviate your cough, and help you relax.
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Apple cider vinegar and honey
The acid in apple cider vinegar thins out mucus in the throat and helps loosen phlegm. Mixed with honey, this drink can also relieve coughing.
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Salt and baking powder
The unlikely marriage of salt and baking powder works to prevent the spread of germs and to decrease the longevity of the common cold. Mix as a solution and gargle a couple of times a day.
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Flaxseed
Flaxseed is a superfood packed full of antioxidants. Boil a handful of seeds until thickened, then strain. Add a few drops of lime juice and honey for a delicious and cold-busting beverage.
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Hot or cold pack
Decide what works best and apply around congested sinuses when necessary. A hot towel is a useful DIY alternative, as is a packet of frozen peas.
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Honey and lime
Anyone suffering from a cold should drink lots of fluids. Honey and lime mixed with warm water is up there with the best of them.
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Spiced tea
We’ve been sipping herbal tea as a remedy for all sorts of ailments since time immemorial. To rid yourself of a cold or cough, add ground ginger, a pinch of black pepper, and a drop of honey to warm water for the perfect winter elixir.
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Ginger root and salt
Cut some raw ginger into bite-sized pieces, sprinkle with salt, and enjoy. The anti-inflammatory gingerols and shaogals in ginger root will help with relieving a sore throat quickly. Salt, meanwhile, helps clear clogged nasal passages.
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Ginger tea
Similarly, ginger tea with mint and lemon works wonders for a throat that feels like (and probably looks like) sandpaper, as well as help with that blocked nose.
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Pillow talk
A simple tip: elevating your head will help relieve congested nasal passages. Chances are you’ll get a better night’s sleep too!
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Rum and honey
A variation on the bourbon-based hot toddy, a drop of honey stirred into warm dark rum is known to keep your chest warm, as it increases the body’s temperature.
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Milk and tumeric
Tumeric is a strong antioxidant. When mixed with warm milk, it acts as a deterrent against colds and coughs. Drink a glass before going to bed and dream of summertime.
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Honey, lemon, and cinnamon
The classic trio of honey, lemon, and cinnamon is one of the best cold remedies out there. This wonder syrup soothes your throat and can save you endless nights of coughing.
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Zinc supplement
Zinc supplements can reduce the severity and length of cold symptoms, but should be used sparingly. Research suggests that taking too much zinc can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, among other side effects.
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Don’t fly
Flying with a cold or congestion can temporarily damage your eardrums as a result of pressure changes during takeoff and landing: the so-called “pop” in your ears. It can also add stress to an already weakened upper respiratory system. If you can, take the train or stay at home.
See also: Daily habits that increase your risk of catching a cold.
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