To everyone’s chagrin, there’s no cure for the common cold. While it’s not life-threatening, it can sideline anyone for a few days due to congestion, fatigue, and headaches. And as we head into the cooler season, you might be wondering how to combat a cold to relieve the symptoms and recover faster.
Despite the absence of a cure, there are essential home remedies for colds you should know, such as getting plenty of Vitamin C during the winter when colds are prolific. Finding a way to soothe your symptoms is crucial when you’re trying to bounce back from an illness.
Ginger
The health benefits of ginger are well known. It can help ease nausea from upset stomachs and also soothe coughs and sore throats. You can boil raw ginger root with water to sip on to help with any of these symptoms. Also, you can find items like ginger tea and candy, and of course, ginger ale.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a plant that Native Americans have used for hundreds of years to treat infections. The plant has flavonoids, a naturally occurring chemical compound in many plants and their roots. They contain high levels of antioxidants that can combat illnesses. You can boost your immune system with echinacea tea found online or at health food stores.
Chicken Soup
Chicken soup is soothing because of its warmth and taste, but it also has health benefits. Any kind of chicken soup slows down neutrophils, a type of white blood cell that fights infection in our bodies. When they slow down, they become more concentrated in the spots that need healing.
Honey
Did you know that honey also has health benefits? Honey contains antimicrobial properties that help ease cold symptoms like coughs and sore throats, especially for children. When you give children honey before bedtime, it allows them to sleep more soundly and allows their bodies to get the rest they need to fight colds. But you should only give honey to children older than one year of age, as it can contain botulinum spores.
Garlic
Not only does garlic soothe cold symptoms, but it can also work as a preventative measure. If you don’t like the taste of garlic, there are garlic supplements you can add to your diet to ward off colds.
Probiotics
There are some surprising essential home remedies for colds you should know. An example is probiotics. Oddly enough, probiotics can help prevent upper respiratory infections by keeping your gut health in balance. You can use supplements or find naturally occurring probiotics in foods like Greek yogurt or miso soup.
The systems of our bodies work together to fight off infections like the common cold, and it’s crucial to take care of yourself holistically so that you can help combat illnesses.
