Colds affect millions of people every year, and getting sick is no joke at all. Generally it does not involve the intervention of the doctor, but it can still last for days with annoying symptoms. Since there is no cure, you just have to wait for the body to fight it on its own. However, there are many remedies you can try to calm the symptoms and feel a little better until the infection clears up. Some may also help the body shorten the duration of symptoms. Try them for cold relief.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Relieve the Symptoms
Since there is no cure for colds, it is generally recommended to self-medicate completely naturally. Doctors recommend the following steps to relieve symptoms and help the body fight the virus. While they don't cure colds, they do offer some relief as you wait for the severity of symptoms to subside. If you are still sick, try taking a pain reliever to feel better.
Step 1. Stay home and rest
While it is rare for a cold to become a serious ailment, it can still drain energy from the body. The most important thing to do is to relax. So, try to sleep at night and, if necessary, take a few naps during the day. This way, you will give your body the energy it needs to fight the virus.
- If possible, take a day or two off at work or school. This will allow you to recover and also prevent the virus from spreading.
- If you exercise regularly, give yourself a day or two off. The body needs energy to recover. Instead, try some lighter activities, like walking.
Step 2. Drink a lot to stay hydrated
Dehydration can dry out the nose and throat and also prevent the body from fighting the infection. Drink water all day to keep yourself hydrated. In most cases, 6-8 glasses a day is sufficient, but the need may increase if you have to beat an infection.
- If you are thirsty and you see that your urine is dark, it means that you are dehydrating. Drink more water to fix it.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine until you have recovered. They can promote dehydration.
Step 3. Gargle with salt water to relieve sore throat
A salt water rinse calms the throat and can also kill the bacteria responsible for the irritation. Mix 600-1200 mg of salt in a glass of warm water until dissolved. Then, gargle and spit the solution into the sink. Continue until the glass is empty. You can repeat the treatment 2-3 times a day.
- Never ingest salt water.
- Do not give salt water to gargle children under the age of 6. There is a risk that they will not perform them correctly and ingest it.
Step 4. Humidify the air to prevent your nose and throat from drying out
Dry air can irritate the nasal passages and aggravate symptoms. Try using a humidifier to maintain the correct humidity level in the air and soothe the airways.
Dry air may make you more sensitive to a cold attack even when you are well; so, if you live in a dry environment, try to always use the humidifier
Step 5. Sip something warm to soothe your throat and sinuses
Warm liquids help relieve sore throats and clear the airways. Opt for herbal teas, soups, or broths throughout the day to calm symptoms.
- Hot liquids tend to make your nose runny because they loosen the mucus, so have a few tissues handy.
- Remember to take decaffeinated tea and decaffeinated coffee as theine and caffeine promote dehydration.
Step 6. Calm the cough with honey
Honey is a popular treatment for colds and sore throats. Try adding 5-10ml to a tea or glass of water. You can also benefit from the same effect by ingesting it directly.
- Raw honey is healthier than refined honey because it is free of chemical additives and contains more nutrients.
- Do not give honey to children under the age of 1 year. Since they do not have a very strong immune system, this food can contain spores that risk germinating in their intestines and causing infant botulism.
Method 2 of 3: Relieve Congestion
One of the main - but also most annoying - symptoms of a cold is nasal congestion. It causes headaches, sinus and sinus pressure, and difficulty breathing, so the first idea that comes to mind might be to get rid of it in order to relieve a cold. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies to clear mucus and clear the airways. If they are not effective, a nasal decongestant or antihistamine may also be helpful.
Step 1. Breathe in the steam when taking a shower or bath
A hot shower or bath can regenerate you, but also help clear your airways. At these times, allow yourself a few minutes to inhale the steam to loosen the mucus and clear the sinuses.
Step 2. Inhale steam from a pot to help expel mucus
Steam can also be useful in clearing the airways. Fill a pot with hot water or heat it on the stove until you see it smoking. Then, approach your face and inhale the steam for a few minutes. This way you should loosen and expel the mucus.
- If you boil it, be careful not to burn yourself.
- While it is sometimes recommended to put a towel on your head while inhaling the steam, this is not a good idea in this case. If you cover your head, you focus too much heat on your face and risk irritating your skin or eyes.
Step 3. Perform a nasal irrigation using the neti lota
The neti lota is a device used to clean the nasal passages. Fill the tank with the saline solution and tilt your head sideways over the sink. Pour the solution into the topmost nostril and let it flow out from the nostril below. It will seem odd at first, but it will help cleanse your sinuses and relieve congestion.
- To fill the neti pot, use sterile saline and never tap water. If it's not sterile, it could cause an infection.
- Always clean the neti pot after each use.
Method 3 of 3: Natural Remedies
You can find numerous home remedies for colds on the internet, but there is usually not much evidence to support their effectiveness. However, the use of some plants and supplements, among other things supported by some scientific evidence, can actually prove useful. It typically doesn't pose any health risks, so you can give it a try. It probably doesn't fix the problem permanently, but it can alleviate the severity of the symptoms.
Step 1. Increase your vitamin C intake as soon as you feel cold symptoms
While vitamin C can't do much when a cold is prodromal, according to some research, it could shorten its duration if taken right at the onset of symptoms. As soon as you feel a sore throat or runny nose, try increasing your intake to see if it helps speed up your healing time.
- On average, a person needs 75-90 mg of vitamin C per day, but increase the intake to 200 mg when you feel cold.
- Excellent sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits, peppers, orange juice, and green leafy vegetables. You can also take it in the form of a vitamin supplement.
Step 2. Take echinacea right away to relieve colds
Echinacea is a plant used in traditional medicine to improve the immune system and fight diseases. The results are varied, but some people find it speeds healing time if they take it correctly as soon as they notice symptoms. Give it a try to see if it works.
Generally, the dose in the form of powder or tablets corresponds to 300 mg, while if taken in liquid form, 1-2 ml are enough. Follow the dosage instructions in the package insert
Step 3. Consult your doctor before taking zinc supplements
Zinc has antiviral properties, but it could also trigger side effects. In high doses, it could cause nausea and diarrhea. Therefore, it is best to ask your doctor if taking this mineral has no contraindications before trying it as a cold remedy.
- Zinc can usually be purchased in liquid or tablet form to kill virus-infected cells in the throat.
- Beware of zinc nasal sprays as they are associated with serious side effects, such as permanent loss of smell, so do not use these kinds of products.
Step 4. Try elderberry extract to calm the severity of symptoms
Elderberry appears to have some effectiveness in strengthening immune defenses and accelerating healing from infections. According to some studies, it is able to relieve cold and flu symptoms more quickly. Try taking 15ml as a liquid extract as soon as you start to feel sick to check its effectiveness.
To benefit from the same effect, you can also prepare an elderberry herbal tea
Step 5. See if garlic helps prevent colds
Thanks to its antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic has become a common home remedy against certain diseases such as colds. However, scientific research does not confirm this use. If you want to try it, increase its intake and see if it helps prevent colds.
2-5 g of fresh garlic per day, which is equivalent to about 3-4 cloves, does not entail any contraindications for health
Health reminder
While there are no natural treatments that can actually cure a cold, many of them can relieve symptoms and make you feel better. Try them out to see if they work. If you don't feel any relief, pain relievers and decongestants have a guaranteed effect. Within a week you should recover and return to your regular life.
