It is said that there is no cure for the common cold. That if you treat it, it will go away in a week, but leave it as is, you will be rid of it in 7 days! Sure, it cannot always be prevented, but you can at least get some relief from a cold’s symptoms.
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A cold is an infection that is caused by different types of viruses. The most common symptoms include:
- Runny nose
- Cough
- Itchy eyes
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Sneezes
- Nasal congestion
- Fatigue
A simple cold could turn into a serious infection like strep throat, pneumonia, or bronchitis, which take longer to be treated. So it’s imperative that you get your common cold looked at by a qualified physician.
Home remedies for common cold
You can give these home remedies for common cold a shot to try and alleviate the accompanying pesky symptoms.
1. Carrot juice
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Carrot is rich beta carotene and other essential vitamins and minerals, which help alleviate the symptoms of a common cold.
Remedy
- Drink carrot juice thrice a day for relief from cough and cold. Do not add any salt or sweetener to the juice.
2. Chicken soup
Chicken soup has been recommended for a cold for many years, and it’s effective too. It contains many vital vitamins and minerals that help alleviate common cold symptoms. It also contains many antioxidants that speed up the healing process.
Remedy
- Add vegetables along with chicken when you make chicken soup at home.
3. Cinnamon
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Cinnamon is another ingredient which helps treat a common cold and its associated symptoms. It especially helps ease a dry or sore throat.
Remedy
- To 1 glass of boiling water, add 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon and 2 cloves. Let it simmer for about 15 minutes, before taking it off the heat. Strain and sip this liquid while it’s still warm. Drink this tea thrice a day to find relief from cold symptoms.
Tip: You can add a bit of honey to make it more palatable.
4. Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds are another ingredient which are highly effective in treating a common cold symptoms.
Remedy
- Boil 2 teaspoons of flaxseeds with 1 cup of water till it thickens. Then, strain it and add a few drops of lemon juice and honey. Stir and sip this concoction twice a day for relief from common cold.
5. Garlic
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Garlic is a highly beneficial ingredient which possesses anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, that are very helpful in alleviating the symptoms of a cold. Plus, garlic is extremely useful for the immune system as well, while also helping open up respiratory passages. Additionally, it helps flush out toxins from your body.
Remedies
- Chop 5 cloves of garlic and put it into 1 cup of water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey to this and stir well. Drink this thrice a day for best results.
- Chew a few cloves of raw garlic to help alleviate the symptoms of cold.
- In a clean bowl, mix together 1 clove of crushed garlic, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of honey, and half a teaspoon of red chilli powder. Consume this paste once a day till the symptoms subside.
6. Ginger
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Ginger is also another ingredient which is beneficial in treating a common cold, thanks to its anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties.
Remedies
- Chew a piece of raw ginger several times a day to find relief from the cold.
- Make a paste of half an inch of raw ginger, 2 cloves, and some salt. Consume half a teaspoon of this paste twice a day for best results.
- Finely chop 1 inch of raw ginger and add it to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover it with a lid and let it steep for 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and add some honey and lemon juice to it. Drink this tea twice a day for positive results.
- In a clean bowl, mix together equal parts of dry ginger powder, jaggery, and clarified butter. Consume this every morning on an empty stomach to find relief from cold.
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7. Honey
Honey is amazingly soothing for throat irritation and other symptoms of the common cold. It also possesses anti-bacterial properties, which help kill off the microbes that cause colds.
Remedies
- In a clean bowl, mix together 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Consume this every two hours to find relief from a sore throat and other symptoms.
- Simply swallowing 1 teaspoon of honey every few hours helps too.
8. Indian gooseberry
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Indian gooseberry is rich in vitamin C and other powerful nutrients that help in treating a common cold.
Remedy
- Add 1 teaspoon of dried Indian gooseberry powder to 1 cup of boiling water and cover it with a lid. Let it steep for 10 minutes, before straining it. Stir in a bit of honey into this and sip it slowly. Drink this tea twice a day for relief from symptoms of cold.
9. Milk
Milk on its own is rich in vital minerals and vitamins that are beneficial for your health. But, when mixed with ginger powder and turmeric, it helps treat cough, headache, and even body aches, all symptoms associated with a common cold.
Remedy
- Boil 1 glass of milk and add half a teaspoon of turmeric powder, along with half a tablespoon of ginger powder. Let it simmer for a few minutes, before taking it off the heat. Let it cool down a bit, before sipping it slowly. Drink this twice a day for best results.
10. Mullein tea
Mullein tea helps cure a common cold, thanks to its expectorant properties, which help relieve chest congestion.
Remedy
- Put some dried mullein herb in a strainer and place it in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Remove the strainer and add a bit of honey to taste, stirring it. Drink this tea thrice a day for best results.
Tip: If you cannot access mullein, green tea works well to alleviate the symptoms of a common cold too.
11. Pepper
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Pepper is one of the most commonly available ingredients that is super effective against a common cold. It contains capsaicin, a compound that helps thin the mucous, while also providing relief from congestion.
Remedies
- Use pepper in your food to help with a runny nose.
- Add 1 teaspoon of black pepper powder to 1 glass of warm water and use this to gargle. Do this twice a day to find relief from cold symptoms.
12. Red onion
Red onion contains many antioxidants and vital nutrients that help give you relief from cold symptoms.
Remedy
- Slice 3 red onions horizontally and put 1 slice in a bowl. Pour some honey over it. Then place another slice, followed by honey. Repeat the process till the bowl is to the brim. Cover the bowl with a lid, leaving it to sit for 15 hours. The bowl’s contents will now resemble a thick syrup. Drink 1 teaspoon of this syrup several times a day for relief from symptoms of a common cold.
13. Spice tea
Spice tea is a traditional remedy that helps get rid of a common cold.
Remedy
- Put a quarter cup of coriander seeds, a quarter teaspoon of fenugreek seeds, and half a tablespoon each of fennel and cumin seeds to a pan and dry roast them. Boil 1 cup of water in a clean bowl. Add 1½ tablespoons of this spice mix to the boiling water and a bit of sugar. Let the concoction simmer for about 5 minutes, before adding 2 tablespoons of milk to it. Bring it to a boil, before taking it off the heat and straining it. Sip this spice tea while it’s still hot. Repeat this process every day till you find relief from the symptoms.
14. Turmeric
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Turmeric contains curcumin and other oils that possess a therapeutic action, which helps alleviate common cold symptoms. It also contains anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, which help beat the infection.
Remedies
- Boil 4 cups of water and add 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder. Let it boil for a few minutes, before taking it off the heat. Strain the concoction and add 1 teaspoon of honey to this. Sip this turmeric tea slowly to find relief. Drink this twice a day for best results.
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Additional tips
- Drink lots of fluids like fresh fruit juices, water, and vegetable juices to keep yourself hydrated.
- Consume fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamin C to help accelerate the healing process.
- Consume probiotics like yogurt to help your gut and boost your immune system.
- Rub some Vicks VapoRub on your chest, throat, and nose to help alleviate the symptoms of the cold.
- Inhale steam at least twice a day to help with congestion.
- Use a humidifier in your room to keep your nasal passages from drying out and causing you pain.
- Take a warm bath to help clear your nasal passages and help with throat congestion. Add an essential oil or Epsom salt to your bath.
These are all the amazingly effective home remedies for common cold that actually work! For more updates on health tips and fitness secrets, subscribe to our newsletter today!
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