18 Home Remedies For Fast Cold and flu Relief

18 Home Remedies For Fast Cold and flu Relief

Fever, running nose, nasal congestion, sneezing, sore throat, itchy eyes, and headache are some of the symptoms of a cold; also called common cold. You do not have to go to the hospital before you know that you have a cold because it is a diseased condition that is self diagnosable. The popularity of cold among the human population is due to the contagious nature of its viral causative agent called Rhinovirus. You can contract cold just by touching a contaminated surface, skin, and saliva, it is also carried by air.

Generally, antibiotics are currently incapable of treating viruses, making the treatment of common cold a tedious task. What we are left with is to prevent the occurrence of cold, a typical situation of prevention being better than cure. However, you can only treat the symptoms once you have contacted it. While you treat the symptoms, you will have to wait-it-out and let the body eliminate the virus, and then the cold will resolve itself within a few days.

There are many ways of preventing colds, alleviating the symptoms of a cold, and reducing the duration of the common cold. The following are adequate for every individual as home remedies for colds.

Home Remedies For Preventing Cold

• Vitamin C

Vitamin C has the attribute of reinforcing the immune system of the body and since a strong immune system has an antagonizing action against infections, then Vitamin C is believed to be a good part of a robust preventive measure against the common cold. Vitamin C is present in many citrus fruits such as oranges, likes, and lemon; as well in such fruits such as kiwi and strawberries.

• Zinc

What could be one of the best methods of combating a pathogen like Rhinovirus if not to prevent it from replication? Zinc is believed to be capable of preventing the replication of Rhinovirus in the body. You can easily obtain Zinc as supplements or nasal sprays in physical and online pharmacies. However, put your mind to the manufacturer’s instructions on use to ensure safety and adequate benefits.

• Garlic

Garlic plays a double role in preventing or reducing your possibility of having a cold and at the same time, it relieves the effects of cold and flu in those that already have it. Because of the Allicin in garlic that increases the production of White blood cells, the immune system is energized against cold. Allicin also has antibiotic properties that act against several symptoms of a cold. Garlic can be taken in the raw form, acquired as a supplement, after being soaked in hot water for some time, or cooked with food as a seasoning.

• Salt Water

A lot of infections start from the throat, the antibiotics nature of salt makes it a good agent against pathogenic agents along the throat. A half teaspoon of salt in a glass of water which is carefully suspended in the throat (gargling) for some seconds will erode a lot of these harmful agents.

• Quality Sleep and Less Stress

Sleep has a natural way of healing the body and when you have quality sleep you’re far less stressed. Quality sleep reinvigorates the immune system and equips the body against infections, reducing the possibility of cold and many other illnesses.

Home Remedies For Relieving Cold

• Water

Taking a lot of water and other clear fluids when you have a cold will speed up the breaking down of the mucus causing congestion and prevent dehydration.

• Pepper

Pepper has a rich content of Capsaicin, an antibiotic compound that helps in decongesting the nasal cavity by breaking down the mucus alongside the infections causing cold and eroding them from the respiratory tract.

• Onions

A mixture of onion juice and honey has been found to be convenient to drink and considered effective in relieving the symptoms of cold and flu.

• Ginger

If you enjoy ginger as a seasoning in your food you can do yourself a similar favor of soaking it in hot water and drinking the extract. Whether in food or as an extract, ginger is an effective agent in relieving the symptoms associated with cold.

• Honey

The antimicrobial properties of honey are well-established and its nature does not allow the proliferation of harmful microorganisms. Although it has been found to be very effective in children, especially along the throat, it is advised not to be given to a child less than one-year-old due to the possibility of botulism.

• Berries

Apart from the high content of Vitamin C in many berries (such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries) which boost the immune system, berries contain antiviral compounds called Polyphenols. Therefore, diseased conditions caused by viruses such as cold, flu and influenza are relieved by these berries.

• Carom Seeds

The strong scent from Carom seeds aid in decongesting the nasal cavity when inhaled. Some of the seeds can be crushed and wrapped inside a cloth or handkerchief for frequent inhalation.

• Eucalyptus Oil

Many essential oils have been found to be of great therapeutic use and Eucalyptus oil is one that has been found to be potent against the cold when inhaled. A few drops of Eucalyptus oil in hot water when inhaled or used in the bath, effectively relieves cold symptoms.

• Menthol and Peppermint Tea

Although menthol can be very irritating to the skin, it is one of the substances in this list that has huge effects on the respiratory tract. If you’re down with cold, you will feel some relief when you inhale menthol due to its soothing effects along the respiratory tract. Menthol, being a therapeutic agent found in Peppermint plants, makes peppermint tea relieve congestion, sinuses and cough, and its antibacterial and pain-relieving properties will let a sick person have a sound sleep.

• Green Tea and Chamomile Tea

The popularity of green tea is not by accident, it has been found to contain a high amount of antioxidants- compounds that are believed to eliminate harmful substances from the body and secure healthy living. Its detoxification activities in the body system prevent and relieve cold. You can relish this herbal tea by steeping some of its leaves in hot water for a few minutes, take it a multiple times during the day to get optimum benefits  Chamomile Tea basically acts in the same way as green tea.

• Chrysanthemum + Peppermint

A steeped mixture of two parts of Chrysanthemum and one part of Peppermint is effective in relieving cold very fast.

• Indian Gooseberry + Ginger

A mixture of Two parts of Indian Gooseberry and a part of Ginger is potent against the cold.

Probiotics

Probiotics are harmless microorganisms that prevent the proliferation of harmful microorganisms along the digestive tract. Since a lot of infections get into the body via this route, Probiotics have proven to be adequate human companions in fighting-off disease-causing microorganisms. Probiotics are now included in a lot of foods such as yogurt, cheese, traditional buttermilk, and many more.

In conclusion, although this article has enlightened you about the numerous alternatives at your disposal in getting rid of cold without visiting your Doctor, it is pertinent that you know that you should seek the services of a medical doctor if your symptoms are not improving or you’re faced with very severe symptoms.