Top 9 Home Remedies For Common Cold

The common cold is an infection of your nose and throat caused by viruses. We typically catch between two and four colds a year.

Symptoms of the common cold, which usually appear one to three days after being exposed to a cold virus, include: runny nose, cough, nasal congestion, sore throat, sneezing, watery eyes, mild headache, mild fatigue and body aches, fever less than 102 degrees.

Infection and Spread:

Billions of colds happen every year, especially during the cooler autumn-winter months. They are caused by virus a which enters the body through the mucus membranes of the nose or eyes. Symptoms normally appear 2–3 days after exposure, at which time the person is then infectious to others.

Although the common cold is mostly regarded as a nuisance disease, it can lead to complications such as sinusitis, bronchitis, and pneumonia.

Symptoms Include:

1. Sore Throat

2. Runny nose

3. Sneezing

4. Coughing

The disease usually progresses from one symptom to another until it has run its course over a 3 to 7 day period unless other opportunistic bacterial infections take hold while the person is in a weakened state.

Cold Remedies:

Here is a look at eleven of the more popular natural remedies for the prevention and treatment of the common cold.

In addition to these remedies, certain foods may also help to boost the immune system and additional remedies may be recommended for cough relief and post-nasal drip. Keep in mind that scientific support for the claim that any remedy can treat colds is lacking, and that alternative medicine should not be used as a substitute for standard care. If you’re considering the use of any remedy for a cold, make sure to consult your physician first.

1. Turmeric & Honey:

The kids love honey and it actually has healing and soothing properties so mix it with a pinch of turmeric powder which also has antiseptic properties and can fight the infection in the throat well. Ask your kids to eat small doses of this with a spoon.

2. Fluids:

Keeping your child hydrated is essential to flush out germs, so push such drinks as water, fruit juices, herbal teas and broth. Jell-O is another option as are cooling, soothing ice pops. Milk is okay, too; that it thickens mucus is a dis proven old wives’ tale.

3. Saline Nasal Drops:

It is the mixture of water and salt and sprayed inside the nose as drops. It clears out the nasal blockage due to mucus, thus relieving the patient.

You can also fill saline nasal solution in the neti pot. Put the solution in one nostril, it will flow out through the other nostril, giving immense relief in swelling and inflammation in the nose, caused due to cold.

4. Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil has high levels of lauric acide that is converted in antimicrobial properties in the body. Coconut oil boosts the immune systems and stave off illness. You can use coconut oil with food, melted into tea or just eat out of the jar if you are brave.

5. Vicks Vaporub:

This is what we grew up with and I must confess I still trust them. There is something about that smell that makes you feel like moms around and opens up that congestion instantly. Apply Vicks on the sole of the feet and rub it to get the heat out. Then quickly make your child wear socks. Apply generously on its own or with warm oil on the back, chest and forehead.

6. Salt Water Gargle:

Forcing your child to gargle with warm salt water may be a daunting task, but it can actually help remove any bacteria from your child’s mouth and throat. Mix about ¼ to ½ of a teaspoon of Real salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water, and stir until all of the salt is dissolved before gargling.

7. Steam:

This one is universal but the trick is to get your kids to do it. Our first encounter was fairly simple we were playing a game where we had to hide under a tent or in our secret house and someone had to find us. Even those 3 minutes that she sat in to take the steam covered with a blanket were good enough to open the congestion and the nose to get runny instead of being stuffy.

8. Ginger:

Including ginger in your cold-busting regimen will also be a smart move. Ginger is a natural anti-viral food that can help fight off illness. It stimulates the immune system and warms you from the inside out. Use fresh grated ginger in a hot tea with honey and lemon, top a salad with it, or use it in a stir fry.

9. Garlic:

Packed with antioxidants, garlic can protect you aganst a cough and cold. Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is known to have great anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Take 4-5 cloves of garlic and sauté it in ghee. Eat this when still warm.