Best and easy home remedies for cold this season
A lot of people eagerly wait for the winter season, as apart from bringing relief from the heat, the winter season also brings flu which results in making us fall sick. If you are suffering from a combination of ailments like body aches, chills, fever, and blocked nose, then it is vital for you to understand how to combat cold and flu with natural ingredients. Home remedies for cold and cough will help ease your symptoms.
Viruses are responsible for colds and flu, so antibiotics are not able to cure or prevent these illnesses. Plenty of rest, fluids, and home remedies can help relieve flu symptoms.
1. Ginger honey juice is one of the best home remedies for cold
One of the oldest home remedies, ginger honey juice works wonder for sore throat and cough. It also wards off the feeling of nausea. The anti-inflammatory gingerols and shogaols in ginger kill the rhinoviruses, which cause cold in the first place.
Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Adding honey to ginger alleviates the antimicrobial property of the mixture. A teaspoon of honey can instantly help relieve a sore throat.
2. Garlic can surprisingly help you feel better
Garlic contains a compound called allicin, which is known to have antimicrobial property. Adding garlic to your diet can help relieve cold symptoms. Having garlic in your daily diet might even help you avoid getting sick in the first place.
Chewing on some raw garlic first thing in the morning also helps control diabetes. You can include garlic in your soups, or just cook some directly on the gas and have them.
3. Load up on Vitamin C
By now we all know that Vitamin C helps boost our immunity. Lemon, oranges, green vegetables and fruits are some of the easily available sources of Vitamin C. Having lemon juice in hot water can help reduce the phlegm.
Though consuming vitamin rich foods might not clear your cold, but are they give a major boost to your immune system. Getting enough Vitamin C can relieve upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses.
4. Reduce congestion
When mucus builds up in your nasal passages and lungs, it causes congestion and a general feeling of stuffiness. Most congestion from a cold will clear up on its own over time, but you can sometimes reduce it if you:
Use a cool mist vaporizer.
Run a hot, steamy shower.
Try a sinus rinse with saline solution.
Place a warm compress on your face.
Prop up your head with pillows before bed. This may allow some of your congestion to drain from your nose while you sleep.
5. Stay hydrated and keep taking fluids
Proper hydration can help your body fight infection. To ensure you’re staying hydrated, try to:
Drink lots of fluids. This can include water, decaffeinated tea, juice (but skip anything with too much sugar), and soup.
Avoid beverages that dehydrate you — like sodas, alcohol, or coffee.
Set yourself reminders to drink water.
Fill up a water bottle in the morning and make sure to sip it throughout the day.
6. Get some good rest
Fighting an illness can take a toll on your body. Giving your body the rest it needs can help your immune system fight off the cold virus.
7. Ease your sore throat
A sore throat can be a constant irritation when you have a cold. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to soothe it. You can make your own honey, lemon, and ginger cough drops. Keep taking these drops to relieve the sore throat. You can also make a drink by boiling ginger, clove, peppercorns, cinnamon and honey in water. Drink this 2-3 times a day to instantly feel better.
These home remedies can also be used safely for cold during pregnancy. They will help ease your symptoms and keep you from feeling miserable.