Most people suffer from cold and hence look for remedies for cold. The running nose, difficulty in breathing due to congestion makes life difficult during those of bouts of cold.
The following home remedies for cold would help to make your life better during such times.
#12
Congestion makes your life miserable during cold. Drinking substantial amount of fluid not only keeps you hydrated but also helps you fight cold. The fluid can be in the form of water, fruit juice, ginger ale, herbal tea, chicken soup etc. But keep away from coffee, cola or other drinks with caffeine as they may cause dehydration. The volume of the recommended fluid intake should be around eight to ten eight-ounce glasses.
#11
Inhaling steam does a world of good in fighting congestion. You can inhale it by keeping your face over boiling water, held in a bowl. You can even do it by opening your hot shower tap.
#10
Blowing the mucus out is important part of managing your cold. But you must do it properly. Always close one nostril with your finger while blowing out through the other. Do not put too much pressure lest some of the phlegm would enter into the ear passage, which will cause ear-ache.
#9
Using a saline nasal spray is the best way to deal with the cold. In fact, these days, it is regarded as one of the important remedies for cold. You can even prepare a salt water mixture for the purpose. The salt water not only cleans up congestion but also prevents the growth of bacteria and viruses.
You can prepare it in the following manner :
Make a mixture of ¼ teaspoonful of baking soda, ¼ teaspoonful salt and 8 ounces of tepid water. Press one of your nostrils through the fingers, bend over the sink and press the liquid through a bulb syringe. Let the liquid drain out. Do this for two to three times. Repeat the procedure in the other nostril.
#8 – Keep your body warm and rested.
Although it may not be thought as one of the cold remedies, giving rest to your body is an aspect of fighting cold. The body’s immune mechanism fights to come to terms with the cold. Resting and keeping the body warm help it to fight it better.
#7 – Gurgle with warm water.
Gurgling provides relief to the sore throat. It also cleans up the congestion. Prepare a mixture by adding half teaspoonful of table salt to 8 ounces of warm water and gurgle with it four times during the day. You can use an astringent liquid like tea with tannin. Gurgles are one of the popular cold remedies. A viscous mixture prepared by adding honey to warm water is one of them. Raspberry leaves, lemon are the other popular ingredients that are mixed in warm water to prepare a gurgle.
#6 – Take hot beverages.
Drinking hot liquid is being regarded as the most effective and popular way to fight nasal congestion and cold. This also prevents dehydration and provides relief to the inflamed membranes of the throat and nose. Hot toddy is also tried by people when there is severe congestion. A cup of herbal tea with honey (one teaspoonful) and whisky (one ounce) or bourbon is also very effective. But take it in moderation (one cup) as alcohol can inflame the membranes and aggravate your cold.
#5 – Use a mentholated salve
Apart from nasal congestion, there is irritation in the tip of the nose that makes you rub it time and again. Using eucalyptus, camphor and menthol helps to cleanse the nasal passage. It also numbs the skin to some extent, thereby providing relief.
#4 – Use hot packs
Applying hot packs on the inflamed sinus is an effective way to heal it. Reusable hot packs are available in the drug store. You can prepare your own hot pack by heating a small towel for half a minute in a mircro-wave.
#3 – Take a steam bath
Having sauna bath frees you from nasal congestion. You can even take a sponge bath with a hot towel.
#2 – Use an additional pillow during sleep
Putting an extra pillow under the head during sleep clears the nasal passage. You can put it under the mattress if you find it to be more comfortable.
#1
Get to know about some of the natural remedies of cold like vitamin C, zinc and Echinacea. Many people try the supplements to treat their cold.
Natural Remedies for Cold
Zinc – It was earlier believed that zinc has the capacity to alleviate cold. But recent findings do not support this.
Echinacea – Like zinc, Echinacea was also thought to be an effective way of treating cold. But at present, this has also got no backing of the scientific studies and researches are still going on to study its efficacy on healing the respiratory infections.
Vitamin C – Surprisingly, the age old belief about vitamin C as an effective treatment of cold has also received little support from recent studies. But findings show that vitamin C can reduce the duration of the bout of cold. People could effectively reduce the time of their suffering after taking eight grams of vitamin C in the first day of the onset of the cold.
By following these remedies for cold, you will be able to come to terms with the nagging cold.
