Since there is no cure for the common cold, home remedies can be just as effective as prescribed and over-the-counter medicines. Sometimes, home remedies may help to relieve symptoms and bring the cold to an end sooner than other treatments. According to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, most home remedies will not cure the cold but can certainly make a sufferer feel more comfortable while he rides it out.
Step 1
Squeeze lemon juice into a cup of warm water. Vitamin C, found in lemons, will help to boost the immune system, which will in turn help the body fight off the virus. Lemons also help to reduce the toxicity of the virus and help the body build up resistance to it. Add a teaspoon of honey to the drink and take it twice a day.
Step 2
Make soup from three or four chopped cloves of garlic added to a cup of hot water. Garlic is an age-old cold remedy that reduces the severity of cold symptoms. Garlic is believed to have antiseptic and antispasmodic elements and should be taken once a day for the duration of the illness. Garlic also opens up the sinuses and respiratory system.
Step 3
Cut ginger into small pieces and add to boiling water for a tea that is commonly used to fight colds. Strain the tea before drinking and add a teaspoon of sugar for taste. In addition to relieving cold symptoms, ginger can help to reduce fever.
Step 4
Use turmeric to fight a cold. The spice has developed a reputation as an immune-building substance. Fresh ground turmeric can be added to warm milk to help ease throat irritations as well. Turmeric also is available in capsule form. Fumes from turmeric can be inhaled after it has been cooked.
Step 5
Try an old favorite--chicken soup. The broth from the soup provides anti-inflammatory properties that promote immunity and quickens the formation of mucus so it can be moved out of the body.
Tips and Warnings
- While there is no evidence that increased doses of vitamin C have any effect on a cold, the American Lung Association advises patients to continue eating a healthy diet that includes at least 75 to 90 milligrams of vitamin C per day.
- Avoid alcohol and caffeine that can dehydrate the body, which requires plenty of fluids to counteract the cold symptoms and replace the fluids lost from a runny nose.
Things You'll Need
- Lemons
- Honey
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Chicken soup
