Five Natural Cold Remedies

A common cold is a mild viral infection of the throat, nose, upper airways, and sinuses. It can result in sneezing, blocked nose, sore throat, and cough. Although, common cold is usually not serious, it can make your life difficult till the time it persists.

There is no definite cure for the common cold, but these simple and effective home remedies can help to relieve your pain and soothe your upset nerves.

Warm fluids

When a cold strikes, drinking hot fluids can ease your symptoms. It is believed that hot liquids help loosen secretions in your chest and sinuses. Drinking hot fluids makes it easier to expel mucus and ultimately clears up your chest congestion. Having a cold can leave you dehydrated, so drinking fluids will help to revive back the moisture in your body.

Drinking plenty of water is highly recommended when you have a cold. Water is the best way to keep your body naturally hydrated and keep the cold symptoms at bay.
Also, drinking warm water with a teaspoon of honey and freshly squeezed lemon can help with a cold. This natural cold remedy will instantly hydrate your body and will encourage mucus to ease out from your nose.
Herbal teas such as peppermint, chamomile, mint, or ginger are excellent for treating the symptoms of cold. It will warm your body with its therapeutic properties and will carry the virus away.
You can also opt for warm soups such as chicken soup, vegetable broth, and clear liquids to decongest your body.

Steam

Warm steam from water helps loosen your mucus and take the pressure from your sore throat, chest, and sinuses. Take regular steam showers to ease your drippy nose. You can also take a hot steam treatment by heating a bowl of hot water. A few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil in the water will do wonders to ease your congestion.

Stay warm and rested

Taking ample rest is the best remedy to ward off any symptoms of cold. Resting lets your body divert its energy in strengthening the immune system and fighting off the viruses. When you lie down with a warm blanket, not only will you help your body to fight off a cold but also increase your body's resistance levels. So, if possible, avoid or limit any physical activities, and give enough support to your body to shrug off your cold.

Gargle with salt water

Gargling with salt water is one of the oldest remedy for a sore throat caused by a common cold. Just dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a glass full of warm water and gargle it twice or thrice a day. Not only it will help to soothe your sore throat and loosen your mucus, but it will also help to prevent further attacks of cold. A recent scientific study revealed that individuals who gargle regularly are less likely to get affected by the cold.

Blow your nose often

It is important to blow your nose regularly to expel the accumulated mucus in your nasal. Sniffing mucus back into your head is harmful to your body, so try to keep clean handkerchiefs and box of tissues handy to blow your nose. However, don't blow too hard because it can carry phlegm back into your ear passages worsening the symptoms of your cold.

If the above remedies do not ease your symptoms, you can consider taking dedicated cold medications to treat your cold. You can take Covonia Cold & Flu Formula or Co-codamol Tablets to shorten the duration of your cold and get effective relief. If symptoms of your cold or flu continue for a longer period of time, consult your doctor or healthcare expert for advice on a treatment.