10 Best Home Remedies for Common Cold

The common cold is one of the most common illnesses affecting man. Millions of people suffer from cold every year in the US, and children suffer from 4 to 5 colds yearly, while adults suffer from 2 to 3 colds yearly.

The common cold is a mild flu that infects the upper respiratory tract; it is caused mainly by Rhinovirus, though other virus types can also cause common flu.

Ways by Which the Common Flu Virus Spreads

The Common flu virus is spread through the following means:

1. Airborne: Infected droplets can flow the air
2. Contact with infected people; can be by handshake with infected people, using, or touching contaminated objects like cups and surfaces of objects.

Symptoms of the common cold flu usually appear two to three after infection, and it lasts between 4  to 14 days.

Symptoms of Common Cold

1. runny nose
2. blocked nose
3. sneezing
4. coughing
5. headache,
6. sore throat
7. body ache
8. itchy eyes, etc.

The Rhinovirus causing common cold flu does not have any cure, but the symptoms are treatable with over-the-counter prescriptions or with homemade remedies.

In some instances, or when the common cold infection is not properly managed, it can result in complications such as pneumonia, ear infections, etc.

In general, you do not need an antibiotic treatment if you’re infected with the common cold, but you can manage the symptoms well at home using some of the best home remedies for cold we will be discussing here.

10 Best Home Remedies for Common Cold

1. Ginger

Ginger has strong antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties, and it is very important in treating the common cold and keeping the body warm.

How to Treat Common Cold Flu with Ginger

1. Eat small-sized ginger rhizome three times daily
2. Take ginger tea three times daily. You can prepare ginger tea by following the steps below:

• Boil three cups of water
• Add a handful of chopped ginger and let it simmer for 5 minutes
• Allow to cool for 5 minutes
• Strain the tea, and add a few drops of lemon juice and honey to enhance its curative ability, give it taste, and flavor
• Consume a cup of tea three times daily

2. Garlic

Garlic is rich in Allicin and antioxidants with antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties. It also boosts the immune system and helps cure respiratory infections.

Research published in 2001 shows that Allicin has strong antiviral properties and is effective in treating and preventing common cold infections.

How to Treat Common Cold Flu with Garlic

1. Chew two raw garlic cloves three times daily
2. Take garlic extracts or supplements
3. Make an infusion of garlic in water. To do so, follow the steps below:

• Boil three cups of water for five minutes
• Add five cloves (chopped) to the water and allow it to rest overnight
• Mix with two teaspoons of honey and consume a cup three times daily.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric contains Curcuminoids and other flavonoids, which have strong antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that have been used to treat various ailments, including diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, and the common cold.

How to Treat Common Cold Fast At Home with Turmeric

1. Make Turmeric extract. Follow the steps below to make turmeric extracts

• Get two handfuls of fresh Turmeric and three ginger rhizome, wash properly
• Blend in a food processor till it is very smooth
• See the chaff from the mixture and preserve it in a refrigerator.
• Take two tablespoons, three times daily

2. Turmeric with milk

• Boil milk
• Add half-teaspoon of turmeric and ginger powder to it
• Allow the mixture to cool before consumption

4. Red Onion Syrup

For centuries, onions have been used to treat the common cold because it is rich in quercetin and chromium, two active ingredients for treating several ailments.

Red onion is richer in quercetin and chromium than any other onion type.

How to Cure Common Cold Flu At Home with Onions

1. Make an onion syrup:

• Slice two large onion bulbs horizontally, in a jar
• Add honey to the jar till the onion slices are submerged in the honey
• Cover the mixture and let it stand overnight or for 12 hours
• Take a teaspoon of the onion syrup twice, morning, afternoon, and night.

2. Consume slices of raw onions three times daily

5. Cinnamon Tea

Cinnamon contains the active ingredient cinnamaldehyde, an antioxidant with strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

How to Treat Common Cold Flu with Cinnamon

• Boil four cups of water
• Add two tablespoons of cinnamon powder with four cloves into the boiling water.
• Allow the mixture to simmer for 15 minutes
• Strain and consume tea three times daily.

Read Also: 10 Super Surprising Health Benefits of Cinnamon and Honey and How to Use Them

6. Black Pepper

Black pepper contains the active ingredient piperine, which is used to treat respiratory problems, including throat problems, colds, and cough.

It is also a substance that makes nutrients and substances in foods and spices readily available for use in the body.

How to Cure Common Cold Flu with Black Pepper

1. Add black pepper to your meal and consume
2. Gargle three times daily with a mixture of a teaspoon in a cup of warm water

7. Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Vitamin C

Vitamin C or ascorbic acid boosts the immune system accelerates collagen formation, wound healing, and other important metabolic processes in the body. Studies show that consuming fruits rich in vitamins helps to reduce the severity and length of common flu symptoms.

Examples of fruits rich in vitamin C include:

1. Sweet and sour oranges
2. Lemons
3. Lime
4. Grapefruits
5. cauliflower
6. Pineapple
7. Green and red peppers
8. Berries
9. Spinach
10. tomatoes
11. Mango
12. Kiwifruit
13. Brussel sprouts
14. Winter squash
15. Cantaloupe, etc.

Read Also: Fat Soluble Vitamins Foods for Better Health

8. Spicy Chicken Soup

Spicy chicken soup rehydrates the body, increases the body temperature, and adds nutrients to the body, thus making it one of the best recovery meals.

How to Make Spicy Chicken Soup Using Catherine’s Chicken Soup Recipe

Recipe for three:

• One quart of water
• Eight skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• A half teaspoon of salt
• One teaspoon ground black pepper
• One teaspoon garlic powder
• Two tablespoons of dried parsley
• One tablespoon onion powder
• 5 cubes chicken bouillon
• Three tablespoon olive oil
• One large chopped onion
• Three cloves of chopped garlic
• 16-ounce jar chunky salsa
• Two cans of 14.5 ounce peeled and diced tomatoes
• One can of 14.5 ounce whole peeled tomatoes
• One can of 10.75 ounces of condensed tomato soup
• Three tablespoons of powdered chili
• Two cans of 16-ounce chili beans
• 8-ounce sour cream
• One can of 15 ounces drained, whole kernel corn

Directions

1. Add water, chicken, bouillon cubes, onion powder, parsley, garlic powder, chili, and salt to a large pot and boil over medium heat.
2. Let it simmer for an hour under low heat.
3. Shred the chicken, and pour the broth in a container for preservation.
4. Add olive oil, sliced onions, and chopped garlic to a large pot over medium heat.
5. Add the shredded chicken, sour cream, chili beans, corn, chili powder, tomato soup, whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, salsa, and 5 cups of chicken broth and stir well.
6. Let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes
7. Serve while hot.

9. Zinc

Consuming zinc reduces the severity and length of common cold symptoms. Also, consuming zinc supplements regularly or eating foods, vegetables, and fruits rich in zinc for five months keeps the doctor away.

How to treat common cold fast with zinc

1. Consume zinc supplements
2. Consume foods rich in zinc. Examples include

• Meat
• Oysters and other types of shellfish
• Seeds and nuts
• Dairy and dairy products
• Whole grains
• Eggs

10. Gargle with Warm, Saltwater

Gargling with salt water will thin down the mucus lining in your airways. It will also warm up your throat and nasal cavity. However, this must be incorporated along with any of the remedies discussed above.

How to Treat Common Cold Flu with Warm, Saltwater

Gargle with a mixture of two teaspoons of Himalayan rock salt or table salt in a glass of warm water for three minutes. Repeat this five times daily.

Conclusion

The ten best home remedies recommended above will keep the common cold at bay if practiced regularly and consistently.

If you’re suffering from the common cold, you should also keep yourself warm by consuming hot food and drinks, use warm clothes and stockings.

Isolating yourself and taking steps to prevent spreading common cold flu is also important to prevent families and friends around you from becoming infected.

However, you might want to consult a doctor if the symptoms last beyond seven days.

Read Also: Migraine Instant Relief: 12 Natural Home Remedies for Migraine Fast Relief