Colds can make life miserable, but there are natural remedies that can relieve symptoms and strengthen your immunity system.
Keep hydrated by drinking lots of water or juice, while limiting caffeinated sodas, coffee and alcohol consumption.
An aromatherapy oil containing peppermint and eucalyptus could also help break up mucus. Rubbing under your nose with a salve infused with menthol will also be effective at dissolving mucus, while breathing in aromatherapy oils with these two scents could provide additional support.
Ginger
Ginger, as a warming herb, helps relieve congestion by opening your sinuses and lungs, improving circulation and helping fight fever or chills.
Making hot ginger tea is another effective way to reap its many benefits, as this combination of honey, lemon, fresh ginger and chile pepper has been shown to ease coughs and soothe sore throats.
This simple home remedy can quickly ease a cold. Just a few minutes are all it takes for this soothing concoction to soothe both throat and chest discomfort.
Garlic
Garlic is an effective natural cure for colds that contains antioxidants and antiviral properties. According to integrative immunologist Heather Moday, garlic may help strengthen immunity while decreasing inflammation.
Garlic can also help lower cholesterol and blood pressure. Furthermore, evidence exists suggesting it may also protect against gastric cancer.
Garlic may help to prevent heart disease and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Unfortunately, there is not enough clinical evidence available to establish its efficacy against colds.
Elderberry
Elderberries have long been utilized as an effective natural remedy against colds and flu. Packed with antioxidants, elderberries can reduce stress while supporting inflammation reduction and fighting off infections.
Antiviral compounds found in food have long been proven to deactivate viruses, making it impossible for them to infiltrate healthy cells and multiply. Such antiviral compounds, known as bioflavonoids, work by inhibiting an enzyme responsible for viral spikes to penetrate cell walls and replicate.
Studies conducted with participants who took elderberry extract found a decrease in symptoms and shorter cold duration than participants who received a placebo pill, possibly because the elderberry stimulates certain proteins known as cytokines that help the immune system better respond to infections.
Epsom Salts
Epsom salts are an effective natural treatment for colds and sinus pressure. By soothing sore muscles and relieving aches and pains associated with them, Epsom salts may help ease some symptoms associated with them as well as improving sleep quality.
Epsom salts can also help improve your mood and reduce stress levels, thanks to magnesium sulfate as their main mineral component – it has been demonstrated that Magnesium Sulfate lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases relaxation.
Epsom salts contain magnesium, which has anti-inflammatory properties to soothe sore throats and fight flu symptoms. Soaking in an Epsom salt bath may also boost immunity by inducing vasodilation; an increase in blood flow speeds up body’s ability to fight off illness faster.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an extremely potent antioxidant, helping your body combat cold viruses and cell-damaging free radicals that threaten our cells. Furthermore, vitamin C supports your immune system as well as providing protection from heart disease and cancer.
Studies show that taking vitamin C early can shorten the time it takes for you to recover from a cold. But don’t expect it to work like magic; don’t think mixing a packet into water will have you up and running the following day!
While taking high doses of vitamin C during an illness is generally safe, taking too much may increase symptoms or shorten their length/severity – this may particularly apply for people who store too much iron in their bodies (hemochromatosis). Furthermore, vitamin C should never replace other essential treatments, including medications to help with respiratory tract infections or diarrheal conditions like hemochromatosis (where too much iron accumulates in tissues).