3 Home Remedies for the Common Cold

While there is no known cure for a cold, there are ways to provide some relief for the symptoms of the cold. Some of the symptoms from the common cold can include a runny nose, coughing, sore throat, headache, body aches, sneezing, chills, and fatigue. Having a cold can make people feel horrible, and resting can only provide mild comfort. Thankfully, there are some home remedies that can help to alleviate some of the awful side effects of the cold. However, if a cold lasts more than five to seven days a doctor should be contacted and informed.

Steam

Breathing steam in is a simple home remedy that can help the way people feel when they have a cold. This can be as simple as running a hot shower and closing the door to the bathroom.  Taking a hot shower while breathing in the steam can help to clear the sinuses and make it easier to breathe. Heating water in a bowl or pot and putting a towel over the head making sure to also cover the bowl or pot can give the same effect. This can also help save more water than running a hot shower to provide the steam. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the water before heating and breathing it in can help a sore throat and congestion.

Ginger

Ginger is a natural decongestant and it can also produce some pain relief. Fresh ginger can be grated and put into some hot tea as a good way to provide some relief and it can be taken throughout the day as a way to keep hydrated. Ginger can also be added to soup or other liquids as a great home remedy to help as a decongestant, and this can also provide some comfort to all of the aches and pains that the common cold can cause.

Diet

When food is tolerable while having a cold, there are certain foods that work as a good home remedy to provide some relief from some of the symptoms of a cold and help to fight it all together. Eating foods rich with antioxidants and vitamin C such as fresh fruits and vegetables can help to fight the cold germs and can also help to prevent it from recurring. Avoiding foods that are high in starch, fried, and heavy will help people feel better when they are sick. Making sure to drink plenty of fluids throughout the day can help to flush out the toxins causing the body to become sick, and it can help to keep hydrated. However, alcohol and caffeine should not be the kind of liquids to drink while sick as they actually dehydrate the body and make people feel worse.