A cold can make you feel down and miserable. But there is some good news! The common cold is usually manageable with self-care and remedies available at home. Typically, a cold lasts for 7-10 days, and its symptoms appear within 2-3 days of acquiring the infection. Most people experience symptoms like runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache, mild body ache, and in some cases, a fever.
This blog post is about easy home remedies for colds that you can try to minimise your symptoms and reduce your discomfort.
Home Remedies for Cold: 15 Ways to Feel Better
Honey
Honey can be beneficial in treating your cold symptoms. Take a teaspoon of honey as is, or make some tea and add honey and lemon juice to it to make a soothing drink for yourself. The antimicrobial activity of honey will work against the infection and provide you relief.
Ginger
Ginger is very effective in treating cold and flu symptoms like sore throat. It acts against microbes causing the infection and reduces inflammation. You can grate some ginger root, squeeze its juice out, add honey to it, and take this mixture through your mouth. Or, if you find it too spicy, make some ginger tea by boiling the root in a cup of water and have it a few times a day.
Garlic
Garlic, though not backed by research, is believed to relieve cold symptoms. It works by stimulating the immune system to fight off the infection. If you don’t consume garlic regularly in your diet, try incorporating it in soups and other dishes you eat when you have a cold.
Warm Fluids
Warm fluids such as warm water with lemon juice and honey and teas can do wonders in managing a cold. The warmth and liquid content in these drinks loosen the mucus and help relieve congestion. This also adds to your daily fluid requirements and maintains your hydration levels.
Probiotics
A healthy gut flora is essential for a healthy body. By taking probiotics in the form of supplements or yoghurt, you can increase the level of good bacteria in your gut and raise your immunity levels. Probiotics work in the background and may help you get better sooner.
Vitamin C
Like probiotics, vitamin C can also help in reducing the duration of a cold. Try having citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruit to get your dose of vitamin C. Or, stick to old lemon juice and have it with warm water and honey, or make a glass of fresh lemonade and enjoy it while you are on your road to recovery.
Salt Water Gargles
Saltwater is known for its positive effects in treating upper respiratory tract infections. So, prepare a glass of salt water by adding ½ teaspoon of salt to a glass of warm water. Mix well and use it for gargling. The solution will not only loosen the mucus but will also ease congestion and sore throat pain.
Eucalyptus Oil
Essential oils, like eucalyptus oil, are also helpful in treating cold symptoms. They minimise congestion and help you breathe better. You can either add a few drops of the oil in a diffuser or on a clean handkerchief and keep it close to you. The smell of the oil will ease stuffiness and make breathing easier.
Neti Pot
If you’re comfortable using a neti-pot, it can be really helpful when you catch a cold. A neti pot is a nasal irrigation device used to clean mucus from the nasal cavity. Normally, salt water is filled in the pot and is then used to clean the nostrils. If you plan on using a neti pot, make sure you use only distilled water for irrigation.
Steam
Another effective remedy for colds is inhaling steam. By using a steam vaporizer, you can conveniently breathe in steam to moisten your nasal passages and relieve blockage. The steam also loosens mucus, allowing you to breathe freely without discomfort. Vaporizers are an affordable means to treat a cold and can be bought online.
Topical Rubs and Ointments
Ointments and rubs containing ingredients like menthol, camphor, or eucalyptus oil are also quite popular cold-relief options. All you need to do is apply a thin layer of the rub over your nose, forehead, neck, and back to get a good night’s sleep without a blocked nose and minimal coughing.
Saline Drops
Saline nasal drops and sprays are also effective in clearing nasal blockage. If you have difficulty breathing due to a blocked nose, use a nasal drop as directed on the label to get relief.
Steamy Bath
Turn on a hot shower or fill your bathtub with hot water to create a steamy bath. Spend a few minutes while inhaling the steam and allowing the heat to do its part in relieving your cold symptoms.
Warm Compress
The next best thing to a steamy bath would be to apply a warm compress on the outside of your nose. Dip a clean cloth in a bowl of hot water, wring it, and apply over your nose and wherever you feel the congestion. Do this a couple of times to feel better.
OTC Medications
Sometimes symptoms like headaches, body aches, and fever can also accompany a cold. If these symptoms cause discomfort, you may use an over-the-counter fever reducer and pain reliever such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. But before using them, talk to your doctor to know the right dosage for your body.
Can You Use the Above Home Remedies for Cold During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is the time when you must be extra cautious because whatever you do or use can have a direct impact on your growing foetus. To be on the safe side, try the following simple home remedies for cough and cold listed below to ease a cold during pregnancy:
- Drinking warm soups and fluids
- Saltwater gargle
- Saline nasal drops
- Steam inhalation
- Warm compress
- Honey and lemon in warm tea
If none of them seem to provide relief, ask your doctor for suggestions on OTC medications you can use during this period. Never take any medication without consulting your doctor, as it can be harmful to your baby.
Home Remedies for Cold and Cough for Babies
Babies need special attention when they catch a cold or a cough. They can be irritable and fussy during this time as they cannot breathe properly. To help a baby with a cold, you can use the following remedies:
1. Use a cool-mist humidifier in your baby’s room to keep the air moist and facilitate easy breathing.
2. Take your baby in a steamy bathroom for 10–15 minutes.
3. Put saline nasal drops to clear your baby’s airways.
4. If your baby is over 6 months old, serve warm chicken soup to ease cold symptoms.
5. If you know your baby isn’t allergic to mustard oil, massage their chest with some warm mustard oil for relief. This is one of those Indian home remedies for cold in infants that have been used for ages.
Final Thoughts
Home remedies for colds are a natural way to ease uncomfortable symptoms. While they are safe for most people, you must pay attention to any untoward side effects arising from them. Also, if home remedies don’t provide relief or your symptoms worsen, go see your doctor. They will guide you on appropriate treatment to help you get better.
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Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/home-remedies
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-remedies/art-20046403
