If you are suffering from cold symptoms, you may decide to use home remedies instead of over-the-counter medications. Although you can not cure a cold, you can use methods to shorten the duration of the virus and lessen the severity of symptoms. Speak to your doctor if symptoms worsen or the cold lasts for several weeks.
Garlic
According to the Granny Med website, garlic has numerous antibiotic and antibacterial qualities that give the immune system a boost to relieve cold symptoms. Besides its use in treatment of colds, it can be used to prevent the onset of symptoms from cold viruses. It is recommended by the Granny Med website to take 200 milligrams of garlic three times a day.
Chicken Soup
MayoClinic.com states that chicken soup is an effective remedy to relieve cold and flu symptoms. The ingredients commonly found in chicken soup, such as chicken, onions, celery, carrots and parsley, work together to stop neutrophils from moving through the body. Neutrophils are cells that cause an inflammatory response when the body has a virus. Chicken soup also moves mucus through the body to stop congestion.
Warm Salt Water
If you have a sore throat, gargling with salt water may provide some short-term relief. Mix 8 oz. of warm water with ½ teaspoon of salt. Take a large gulp and gargle the mixture in the back of your throat for a couple of minutes. You may repeat as needed over the course of the day.
Steam
Breathing in steam relieves a runny nose and nasal congestion when you have a cold. To use steam for cold treatment, stand in a closed room with a hot shower running. Breathe the steam from the shower for several minutes. As an alternative, you may boil a pot of water and place your head over the pot. Wrap a towel around your head to better trap in the steam.
