Home Remedies for Cold
Cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose and is caused by a variety of viruses. In this blog, we have discussed some of the common causes, home remedies for cold and ways how to prevent from further spreading.
Symptoms of a cold may include –
Cold is an infection caused by viruses and takes its time to heal. In this article, we have discussed some Home Remedies that will help ease and soothe the symptoms.
Gargling with salt mixed in hot water relieves the sore throat (the first symptom of a cold). It also reduces and loosens the mucus which contains bacteria and allergens. Other than salts you can also add honey and lemon juice to warm water and use it for gargling.
Drink plenty of fluids to keep you hydrated. It also helps to thin the mucus. Of all the liquids, water is the best. Drinking warm water eases the sore throat as well as keeps you warm.
Hydrotherapy is a form of water treatment that is most effective in the Upper Respiratory conditions such as Cold. One of the most common uses of hydrotherapy for cold sufferers is Wet Cloth treatment. This treatment can easily be done at home as it requires a pair of thin cotton cloth. The cotton cloth is soaked in cold water, wrung out and then placed on the forehead and feet overnight.
Read More: Reasons You Need To Try A Hydrotherapy Bath
To reduce the night coughs honey is the best medicine at bedtime. Keep in mind it should not be given to children under 1 year of age.
Green tea, tea with lemon and honey and other hot drinks help break the congestion as well as soothe the sore throat. Hot & spicy soups promote nasal drainage & ease breathing. Chicken soup slows the movement of neutrophils (a type of WBC) in the body thus concentrating it in areas where healing is most required.
It contains the compound allicin, which has antimicrobial properties & might reduce the severity of a cold. Learn about some additional health benefits of Garlic.
Ginger tea or pieces of ginger in boiled water soothe the sore throat & relieves headache when suffering from cold. Learn about some additional health benefits of Ginger.
These are friendly bacteria that reduce the chances of upper respiratory tract infections. They are also beneficial for a strong immune system.
Alcohol intake may contribute to dehydration thus it should be avoided.
Steam soothes the nasal as well as the throat tissues improving inhalation. Thus taking boiling water in a pot & bowing over it with a towel on the head while inhaling steam is helpful. To make it more effective you can add a few drops of Eucalyptus (an essential oil) or some Vicks VapoRub.
Clearing your nasal passages from time to time is important during a cold. In case the mucus gets sniffed back it may reach your ears & lead to an earache.
They encourage the drainage of mucus & help clear the nasal cavities. It is helpful for children as they have a problem with blowing their nose.
Though it may not clear up the cold symptoms entirely, it can reduce the duration & severity of a common cold. Most importantly it is required for a strong immune system.
Read More: Can Vitamin C Protect You from COVID-19?
Applying VapoRub before bed helps open air passages to fight congestion, reduce coughing, and improve sleep. One can also add VapoRub to boiling water and inhale.
Increased humidity reduces nasal inflammation and eases breathing. It also checks Influenza which more likely spreads in a dry environment.
Massaging the acupuncture point located near the lower border of the nostril can provide relief from nasal congestion.
Prevention is always better than cure. Though you cannot always prevent a cold but precautions will help:
Consult a doctor if congestion continues for more than 10 days or accompanied by any such sign.
If you also suffering from mild fever, check home remedies for fever.
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