Natural Remedies For A Cold

Colds can be a serious inconvenience – they’re honestly downright annoying for some of us. Just the thought of a sore throat, a runny nose, constant sneezing and congestion seems unappealing.

Right now there’s no “cure” for the common cold that is widely accepted by the scientific community. Any product that advertises itself as a cure is best avoided until research is more conclusive. Typically, the best course of action for a cold is to simply allow it to run its course.

There are some natural remedies for colds, however, that could possibly help ease symptoms and even shorten their duration. These aren’t necessarily quick fixes, but they can help. Here are some remedies that could ease cold symptoms:

Honey

Honey has a soothing effect on the throat and can help ease a cough. Simply swallow a teaspoon of honey as is. Don’t overdo this; but taking it in moderation once every little while when you have a cold should be sufficient.

Rest

Your body is the best healer when it comes to a cold. Make sure it has the energy it needs to go through the healing process on its own by preventing any wastes of energy. Making sure you rest is one of the best ways to do this. Get some good old fashioned bed rest, make sure to sleep 8 hours and avoid doing anything mentally or physically draining.

Slowly sip warm tea

Possibly with honey? Tea is one of the best warm liquids to consume because it tends not to dry out the throat like coffee does. Make sure it is not too hot and take slow sips.

Vitamin C (but don’t dry your throat)

While this one is widely spread as a solution, there is little evidence that indicates that Vitamin C “cures” a cold, although it may help shorten its duration. Make these natural sources of Vitamin C in the form of fruits (like lemon, orange and mango) rich in this vitamin. If you go with lemon, try making a diluted lemonade. Vitamin C rich fruits can have a fair amount of acidity and drying the throat when sick is not ideal. So try mixing acidic fruits with water.

Hydration

Drink plenty of water. Water helps fuel your body so it can heal naturally. Moreover, drinking plenty of water can help loosen congestion and make nasal breathing easier. Loose mucus is also easier to blow out of the nose.

Saltwater gargle

Gargling with saltwater can help loosen mucus in the throat. For gargling, add about 1/3 of a teaspoon of water to 1 cup or 8 ounces of water.

Saline nasal rinse

A saline nasal rinse can help loosen mucus in the nose and make it easier to blow your nose. This is a great way to clean out your nostrils. It is very important to use clean water, boil it and assure that it is mixed with salt –let it cool slightly before using it (ideally, lukewarm).

Steam

Try to take steam in through your nose. You can do a hot bath for this or you can simply boil a pot of water, set it in front of you on a heat tolerant surface and breathe in near the steam. Don’t breathe the actual water in, just the steam – this is why it is a good idea to be about 1 foot or 30cm away from the water source. Steam can moisturize the throat and ease congestion.

Zinc

This mineral could help with colds but results have been mixed. You can try consuming zinc rich foods in moderation here. Remember, zinc may have side-effects so consume with caution and consult a healthcare professional before consuming higher levels of zinc than you are accustomed to.

Eat real chicken soup

Yes, real chicken soup with (wait for it) real chicken. A quick Google search should yield plenty of real chicken soup recipes. Try getting someone to make these for you or make it yourself. In any case, this is a nutritious warm meal that could comfort a nuisance cold.

Ginger

You can add this to your tea to add some flavor. Ginger can help ease a sore throat and may even help protect against viruses that cause colds.