Whether it’s a runny nose, sore throat, or persistent cough, a common cold can be quite irritating. Trying to focus on our work with a stuffy nose, scratchy throat, and non-stop sneezing becomes challenging. Therefore, we wish to get rid of it as soon as the symptoms appear. Suffering from a common cold is quite common, and relying solely on medication to combat the illness is not the one-stop solution. Moreover, regular intake of antibiotics to treat the common cold can also lead to adverse effects in the long run. While there are several remedies for the common cold, it is best to take the natural route. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for natural remedies when treating the common cold. Let’s take a look at the natural remedies for the common cold that can help you deal with it.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup might not be the ultimate treatment for the common cold, but it is a great choice when you suffer from the flu. Consuming a bowl of hot chicken soup with vegetables helps slow down the movement of neutrophils in the body. Neutrophils are a common type of white blood cells found in the human body. The slow movement of these neutrophils ensures they stay in a more concentrated form in your body, resulting in quick healing. Chicken soup has high nutritional value that keeps you well hydrated, thus acting as one of the foolproof remedies for the common cold. Moreover, chicken soup contains all the essential nutrients that help combat the flu-causing virus. 

Taking Zinc Tablets

The market is packed with several remedies for the common cold, and zinc is one of them. Zinc is a crucial mineral required by more than three hundred enzymes in the human body. Consuming zinc tablets within 24 hours of the onset of common cold symptoms helps reduce the flu duration. Regular consumption of zinc tablets helps reduce the severity of common cold symptoms. Zinc tablets block the cold virus from multiplying, thus preventing it from spreading. They also prevent the virus from permeating the throat and nose cells.

Getting Exposed to Humidity

One of the excellent remedies for the common cold that works magically in treating the common flu is getting enough exposure to humidity. The influenza virus thrives and multiplies in dry environments. Creating more humidity in your room will reduce exposure to the flu-causing virus. Increased humidity in the room also aids in reducing nasal inflammation, thus allowing you to breathe properly. For this purpose, you can consider getting a humidifier or a cool mist vaporizer. Adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the humidifier also aids in stimulating your breathing along with easing nasal congestion. Alternatively, you can also take a steamy shower that helps instantly relax the nasal passages.

Increasing the Intake of Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays an important role as one of the excellent remedies for the common cold. Limes, oranges, grapefruits, leafy vegetables, etc., are some of the major sources of vitamin C. Adding fresh lemon juice and honey to hot tea or warm water significantly reduces phlegm and treats a sore throat. You can also consider taking vitamin C tablets regularly. Vitamin C not only aids in treating colds but also boosts immunity. Regular vitamin C intake significantly reduces the risk of catching a cold, even when exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Additionally, getting sufficient vitamin C relieves upper respiratory tract infections. Therefore, if you are looking for some fast and effective remedies for the common cold, then look no further and head straight to your fridge for a piece of lemon. 

Also Read: Vitamin C

Garlic

The most useful and effective remedies for the common cold are usually found in our kitchen. Garlic is one of the most common and widely used natural remedies for the common cold. Whether it’s in a bowl of chicken soup, a drink made with garlic, or just consuming raw garlic cloves, garlic is one of the best home remedies for the common cold. Garlic consists of a cold-fighting element known as allicin. It has excellent antifungal and antimicrobial properties that help treat the common cold. To maximize the amount and effect of allicin, you can crush or grind the garlic clove and then consume it in its raw form. Garlic also reduces the recovery time and increases the body’s capacity to fight against disease-causing germs.

Honey

Along with lemon, honey also acts as one of the excellent remedies for the common cold. In many cultures, honey is used as a popular and commonly used remedy for colds and coughs. Honey creates a coating in the throat, thus soothing a sore throat. Honey even has several antibacterial and antioxidant properties that help the body in fighting against the virus. Buckwheat honey, which is usually dark-colored, is high in antioxidants and hence acts as one of the best remedies for the common cold.

Ginseg

Also popularly known as Panax Quinquefolius, Ginseng is one of the widely used remedies for the common cold. Ginseng consists of certain active elements, such as ginsenosides and polysaccharides, that directly attack the cold-causing virus, eliminating it from the body. Ginseng also helps in preventing respiratory tract illnesses caused by the common cold.

Ginger

Ginger root is another famous and commonly used home treatment for the common cold. Ginger helps treat mild common cold symptoms such as a sore throat, cough, and cold. The ancient remedy of ginger-infused tea still acts as one of the best remedies for the common cold.

Including Probiotics in Your Diet

Consuming more probiotics to date still acts as one of the best remedies for the common cold. Probiotics consist of healthy bacteria that reduce your chances of falling sick while considerably soothing common cold symptoms.

Also Read: Home Remedies for Whooping Cough

Summing Up

Weather changes have become quite common these days, and so have the chances of catching a common cold. Moreover, our hectic lifestyle and dependence on fast foods have left us with a weak immune system, increasing our vulnerability to the common cold. Though several medicines and over-the-counter drugs are available at drug stores for treating the common cold, they often result in after-effects that usually appear in the long run. Therefore, opting for natural remedies for the common cold is considered a safe option. Natural remedies not only aid in reducing the symptoms of the common cold but also better prepare the body to fight against such germs in the future. Additionally, natural remedies for the common cold are available in our homes and kitchens, allowing us to easily access them at the onset of symptoms.