1. Concoct the Perfect Bowl of Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is the most popular home remedy for a cold. Studies have shown that the zinc in chicken can help with the symptoms of a cold. While you can buy canned chicken soup, soup made from scratch can taste better and be more nourishing. Gather the following ingredients: 2 cups of cooked and diced chicken, 1/2 cup of chopped carrots, two 2-oz. packets of chicken noodle soup mix, two chopped onions, three minced cloves of garlic, 1 cup of egg noodles, one chopped bell pepper and 2 tsps. of cayenne pepper to clear your sinuses. Boil 8 cups of water in a pot, and add everything except the mix and the cayenne. Cook until the carrots are tender, then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer the soup for another 7 minutes.
2. Brew a Cup of Echinacea Tea
In general, sipping hot tea helps reduce congestion when you're sick. Studies done on echinacea have shown that it does stimulate the immune system in a positive way. Try buying pre-made bags of echinacea tea, and brew them in boiling hot water. If you don't like tea, you also can take echinacea pills several times a day, but be sure to follow the manufacturer's directions.
3. Take a Moment to Steam
Doctors have found that steam inhalation can help loosen mucus and ward off congestion. You can do this by running a hot shower, but you will waste less water if you boil a few cups and pour them into a bowl. Lean over the bowl so your face is about a foot away, and cover yourself and the bowl with a towel. Add a few drop of menthol oil to the water to help clear your stuffed nose. You also can get similar effects by spending some time in the laundry room while the machines are running as this environment tends to be more hot and humid than other rooms in the house.
