Natural Remedies for the Common Cold

Achoo! (X100)

That's been you sneezing for 3 days and battling a runny nose. You've made the nearby grocery store richer by buying more of their facial tissues. You feel awful and uncomfortable. All you need is to get rid of this common cold ASAP!

The good news is that you are on the right web page. Here, you'll get the best natural remedies for the common cold. 

But before we get to the main gist, let's get some facts straight about the common cold. Understanding what this 'joy stealer' is about will help you tackle it properly.

The common cold is a viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. There are over 200 viruses that are culprits but the commonest is the Rhinovirus.

You get it by inhaling or touching infected airborne droplets or secretions.

The common symptoms are sneezing, a runny nose, cough, stuffy nose and sore throat.

It runs a short course. Usually 7 to 10 days. If it persists longer, you should see your doctor.

Antibiotics will do nothing about your cold. Remember we're dealing with a virus, not a bacterial infection.

There's no cure for the common cold. However, there are natural remedies that can give you relief and that's why you are here.

Let's dive in! 

1. Drink a lot of fluids

You need to stay hydrated by drinking enough fluids. It helps thin the mucus, making it easy to drain from the sinuses. Apart from water, you can take fruit juices, especially those with high Vitamin C levels e.g orange or pineapple juice.

2. Gargle with salt water

Salt water gargle is a simple natural remedy that only requires warm water and salt. The salt brings water out of the tissues in your mouth. It forms a salt barrier that prevents water and pathogens from entering the tissues.

To prepare your salt water, you put between ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup of water and mix.

3. Drink hot tea

Hot tea will help with relieving a stuffy nose. There are tons of plants that boost the immune system. You can make yourself a hot cup of tea with these plants to help you fight viruses and keep you hydrated. Examples of these plants are Lemongrass, Ginger, Galic, Cinnamon etc. Simply boil water and put them in it. Allow the mixture to stand for a few minutes before drinking.

4. Eat spicy foods

Research shows Capsaicin found in spicy foods like pepper relieves nasal symptoms such as common cold. It thins mucus and makes it easy to drain. Feel free to enjoy a bowl of chicken pepper soup.

5. Take some honey

Honey is known to fight infections. It's a surefire natural remedy for cough. Taking a few tablespoons of honey 3-4 times a day can do the trick. You can also add it to your tea.

6. Change your sleeping position

This works like magic for nasal congestion. Use a pillow to prop your head when you lie down and avoid lying flat. This will help your sinuses to drain easily.

Finally

The great thing about using natural remedies is that they're readily available and affordable. You don't need a dime to change your sleeping position and a teaspoon of salt is right in the kitchen cabinet. Also, wash your hands regularly. It keeps away those tiny little viruses from coming too close.

The next time you're feeling under the weather, don't think twice about reaching out for these remedies.