Common Cold

Common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses and is highly contagious. Symptoms of a cold are sneezing, blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of taste and smell, a sore throat, a dry cough, headache, and mild fever. Children are more susceptible because they have not built up immunity to cold viruses. A cold usually lasts from three to ten days. Natural remedies can help to boost your resistance to these viruses.

Common Cold Symptoms

• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Itchy or sore throat.
• Sneezing .
• Watery eyes.
• Cough from mucus running down the throat.
• Congestion and popping in the ears.
• Mild body aches or headache.
• Low-grade fever.
• Lack of appetite.
• Tiredness and irritability.

Home Remedies for Common Cold

• Ginger: Take ten grams of ginger and cut into small pieces or grate and then boil in a cup of water. Strain it and add little bit of sugar. Drink this decoction when hot. To avoid the stomach upset, try these remedy after a meal. Ginger is warming, plus research confirms it has significant antimicrobial action.
• Lemon and Honey: Dilute one lemon in a glass of warm water, and add a teaspoon of honey. Drink once or twice daily.
• Cinnamon: It is an excellent warming herb, and can be added to food and drinks to ease symptoms.
• Honey: Eat fresh honey or add honey to herbal teas which will encourage healing and prevent secondary infections.
• Turmeric: Add half a teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder in 50 ml of milk and boil over a slow fire. Drink this milk once or twice daily. Turmeric helps stimulate the immune system and can help shorten the duration of a cold.
• Garlic: Eat garlic flakes daily which will discourage the onset of a cold and will also work to reduce fever. If the flavor of the garlic clove gets too strong, just chew it up quickly into smaller pieces and swallow with water. OR you can also take enteric-coated capsules of garlic. Look for products standardized to contain allicin, the main active component. Garlic is a natural antimicrobial which will fight those viruses.
• Steam inhalation: Add 5-10 drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender oil or vicks to a bowl of steaming hot water. Cover your head with a towel, place it over the bowl, and inhale. Steam inhalations helps to relieve nasal congestion.
• Honey and cinnamon: Take one tablespoons of honey mixed with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day. Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics of honey and cinnamon has a powerful healing properties.

Do’s for Common Cold

• Use saline (salt water) spray to prevent the build-up of mucus and nasal obstruction.
• Wash your hands frequently. Frequent hand wash is of paramount importance in preventing the spreading of virus.
• Try steam inhalation with a few drops of eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender oil or vicks to relieve nasal congestion.
• Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Eat steamed vegetables, which are easily digested.
• Add garlic, onion, and ginger while cooking which have antimicrobial and warming properties.
• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water, freshly squeezed juices, and hot liquid such as herbal teas, freshly made vegetable soups, chicken broth. It cleanse your body of toxins and keep the respiratory tract from drying out.
• Get plenty of rest. Lack of sleep have been shown to lower your immune system.
• Reduce stress by doing meditation. Stress lowers the immunity to work efficiently.

Don’ts for Common Cold

• Avoid milk products and mucus forming foods such as cheese, yogurt, red meat, dairy and simple carbohydrates.
• Do not smoke, and avoid smoky environments.
• Avoid greasy food and seafood. Also, avoid meat, eggs and starchy foods.
• Avoid antibiotics. Many people mistakenly believe that they should take antibiotics for colds. Not only are they ineffective against cold viruses, but can also cause problems in future.

See Doctor

• Cold persist for more than 10 days.
• Earache or face pain or greenish yellow discharge.
• Develop a severe sore throat or high fever, or cough up yellow or green mucus.

FAQ

• Does drinking water help to recover from cold?
• How to get deep sleep when suffering from cold?

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