Common Cold Remedy

The common cold remedy here may help provide cold relief or speed up recovery to your upper respiratory infection. There are more than 100 viruses that can cause the symptoms of the common cold. The most contagious is the rhinovirus. Scientists and doctors have yet to find any cure for the common cold.

The common cold symptoms usually start with a sore throat, stuffy or runny nose and sneezing unlike the flu which usually starts with a high fever. Other symptoms of the common cold may include cough, mild fever, headache, itchy or watery eyes, slight muscle aches and fatigue. Some people have to endure all of the symptoms of the common cold. Some others may just catch a few of them.

The duration of a cold depends on a person's body and immune response to these viruses. It can last from a week to ten days.

Common cold remedy No. 1 - Herbs for colds

These herbal remedies for colds may help bring relief, boost your immune system, clear the mucus, fight against the cold virus and speed up healing. But before you try any of these herbs, check with your doctor especially if you have a health problem or on prescription medication.

Astragalus has anti viral properties and is an herb that can help enhance the body's immune system. It is one of the herbs that is used in traditional Chinese medicine and is recommended by some herbalist for the common cold prevention and other viral infections. Astragalus extract is available in the form of capsules, liquid extract, powder and herbal tea.

Cat's claw is another herb that is an immune system booster and is sometimes referred to as the miracle herb. Taking this herb help build the body's defense system and assist the body fight the cold virus. Cat's claw extract are sold as tablets, capsules, cat's claw liquid extract, the dried and sifted bark and cat's claw tea.

Echinacea has been used over 400 years as a common cold remedy to fight against colds and treat fever. The herb has the ability to assist the lymphocytes to produce extra interferons to fight viruses and prevent them from multiplying. Echinacea extracts are sold in capsules, tablets, echinacea tea, a combination with golden seal, liquid extract, tincture and syrup.

Elderberry has anti oxidant properties, can help boost your immune system and it is good for the respiratory system. Taking elderberry extract may help sooth cough, break a fever and speed up recovery of the common cold.

Fresh ginger root or ginger extract is another herb that is an immune system booster. It has been used in traditional medicine as a common cold remedy. This is because ginger has among others, analgesic, anti inflammatory, antibacterial and sedative properties.

Ginseng root has anti oxidant properties and among others contain an active compound called ginsenocides. Ginseng has the ability to boost the immune system and support the cardiovascular system.

Garlic contains scordinin which can help boost the immune system and provide protection to the body against disease. Garlic has antibacterial, anti viral and anti fungal properties. Taking garlic supplement also is one of the ways to prevent the common cold.

Some other herbs that have been used in folk and traditional medicines and are still used today for cold home remedies are black cohosh, ephedra, goldenseal, gotu kola, horehound, hyssop, olive leaf, oil of oregano, Oregon grape root, peppermint, red clover and thyme.

Common cold remedy No. 2 - Chicken soup

In the 12th century chicken soup was the common cold remedy in Egypt. Scientists agree that chicken soup may help relieve the cold and flu symptoms. According to some experts, chicken soup acts as an anti inflammatory agent and it also helps relieve congestion by speeding up the movement of mucus.

Common cold remedy No. 3 - Honey

Honey contains more than 180 different compounds that have medicinal and healing benefits. Honey is one of the best home cold remedies because it has the ability to drain mucus from the lungs and lubricates the respiratory tract. Honey can be taken by itself. When combined with lemon, it has the ability to ease cough and soothes sore throat. You can also add honey and lemon to ginger tea because all of them have powerful healing effects.

Common cold remedy No. 4 - Steam inhalation

One of the symptoms of cold is thick sputum, phlegm or mucus. Steam inhalation can help loosen them and also provide relief from congestion and stuffy nose. Vicks Vaporub is one of the over the counter ointments that is popularly used as a steam vaporizer. But you can also use basil, eucalyptus oil, clove, mullein oil, peppermint oil, rosemary and tea tree oil.

What you need to do is pout a kettle of boiling water into a sink or large bowl. Put several drops of the oil into the hot water. Cover your head with a towel or cloth over the bowl and inhale the steam. Do this several times or until you find relief.

Common cold remedy No. 5 - Nasal spray with salt water

Some studies have shown that washing off the cytokines which cause the inflammation and swelling in the nose may help reduce the swelling and fluid production. What you need is a clean and empty nasal spray bottle and salt water.

Mix one teaspoon of salt to a quart of water, fill the saline solution into the bottle and spray each nostril three or four times. Repeat the process at least five times a day. Salt water has astringent properties and has the ability to sooth inflamed tissues and loosens mucus.

Here's another one of the natural cold remedies using warm salt water. Gargle the solution every one or two hours to soothe your sore throat.

While you have caught the cold, take a good rest and try to stay indoors to prevent the virus from spreading. The virus can spread to other people who have direct contact with you. And if you have contacted the virus from others, try to take remedial action once you notice the first symptom.

Taking any of herbs mentioned above to strengthen your immune system would be a wise choice. Vitamins and health supplement that can help are colostrum, l arginine, vitamins A, C and E and zinc lozenges. At the same time, drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Drinking orange juice, coconut water and apple cider vinegar are beneficial because they provide healing effects.

Back to Viral Infection Remedies

Back from the Common Cold Remedy to Various Home Remedies