Home Remedies for the Common Cold

It may sometimes seem inevitable to get the common cold. This illness inflicts people of all ages and is especially prevalent in the late fall and winter. But you can catch a cold at any time of the year. The effects can range from barely noticeable to making you downright miserable. Nothing cures the common cold, but there are ways to treat the symptoms. You may want to try some homemade options to relieve your suffering.

Typical symptoms of the common cold

Children are most prone to getting a cold. Babies and toddlers, in particular, may get six to 10 colds or more a year. Adults will likely have at least two annually. Most colds hang around for seven to 10 days, though some last longer or may be shorter. The virus that causes it passes through close contact with other people.

Many symptoms accompany a cold. A runny, stuffy nose is among the most common. A sore throat, along with coughing and sneezing, can also occur frequently. A person with a cold may complain of body aches and chills too. It is possible to have a fever with a cold, though it will not usually be over 100.4 degrees. Headaches and congestion are other possible symptoms.

Chicken soup

This is a longtime remedy to colds that mothers and grandmothers have prescribed for generations. But there may be a lot of truth to what they have sworn by. Eating a bowl of chicken soup may increase the body’s ability to fight infection. If nothing else, eating the soup should hydrate the person well.

Honey

For sore throats, in particular, honey can make a lot of sense for battling the common cold. Mixing honey in tea can soothe pain in the throat and make swallowing less painful. There are also antimicrobial and antibacterial properties in honey that can come in handy. Eating honey may also reduce the frequency of coughing during a cold. Parents should not give honey to children under age 1, however.

Garlic

Many people enjoy adding garlic to a variety of foods to enhance the flavor. It may help to take away common cold symptoms too. It contains allicin, which some scientists say has antimicrobial properties. People who supplement food with garlic say that it can reduce the seriousness of cold symptoms.

Vitamin C

Another natural favorite, vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables. This healthy vitamin is good for a person’s well-being. When it comes to treating the common cold, it may also help clear up congestion and enable a person to breathe more effectively. It can also boost the immune system, which is essential during a battle with a cold.