Home remedies for common cold

Headache, Stuffy nose, Cough, Fever, Itchy eyes, Sore throat, Muscle aches, If you experience these symptoms often you are familiar with common colds. They say there’s no cure for the common cold. It is often heard that a common cold, whether treated or untreated, takes the same amount of time to be cured. 

While it is true that it can’t always be prevented, there are cures for the symptoms that come with a cold.

What is common cold?

A cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract caused by one of the hundreds of different viruses. These viruses penetrate the lining of the nose and throat, and adhere to cells. These viruses punch holes in the cell membranes , thus enabling the viral genetic material into cells. Unfortunately, scientists are unable to figure out how to wipe out these viruses. 

The body launches its own defense system to fight them. the nose and throat releases chemicals that stimulate the immune system , the cells produce chemicals called prostaglandins lesions, which cause inflammation and attract white blood cells which makes it easier for the white blood cells to identify and destroy the attacking viruses. The symptoms you feel when you have cold are actually a natural immune response of the body. 

In fact, when you feel like you are a cold, you have probably been infected for a day and a half. Once infected, you can't find a cure overnight. However, you can try to relieve the pain. Many natural treatments offer effective relief from the various symptoms of a common cold without any side effects.

Effective natural home remedies for common cold:
1) Take rest and stay warm 

Staying warm and resting when you first experience the symptoms of cold or flu helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. So give it a little help by lying down under a blanket to stay warm if necessary.

2) Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of fluids to help break up your congestion. Drink water or juice to keep your throat moist. You should drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. If you don't like the taste of plain water, try herbal teas, soups, fruit drinks, ginger ale etc.

3) Clear your congested nose often

Inhale steam to ease your congestion and drippy nose. Hold your head over a pot of boiling water and breathe through your nose. Be careful, breath in slowly to avoid burns. Also, hot shower with the door closed, saline nasal spray, or a room humidifier is just as helpful to ease congestion. 

4) Salt water gargles

Gargle with warm salt water. Gargling can moisten a sore or scratchy throat and bring temporary relief.

5) Ginger
Many forms of ginger can be helpful in treating symptoms of a common cold. 
You can eat raw ginger or drink ginger tea several times a day. 
You can make a paste of ginger, cloves and salt and eat it two times a day. 
For a runny nose,you can mix ginger powder with old Jaggery, a natural sweetener.

6) Garlic
Garlic can be used as an effective remedy for common colds. With its powerful antioxidants, garlic is one of the best protection against cough and cold. Garlic’s antiseptic properties can be very helpful in getting rid of cold symptoms. Crush a clove of garlic, mix two teaspoons lemon juice, one teaspoon honey, and half a teaspoon cayenne pepper or red chili powder. Eat it 2-3 times daily until the symptoms relieve.

7) Use turmeric
Turmeric is rich in curcumin and volatile oils that having protective as well as therapeutic propoertise. As soon as you feel a scratchy sensation in your throat, an indication of the coming onset of a sore throat or cough, drink a glass of warm milk, mix 2-3 pinch of turmeric powder in it. 

You can also make turmeric tea - mix 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder in 3-4 cups of water heat it for 10 minutes. Strain using a fine strainer if necessary, and then mix in a little honey and lemon – your medicinal turmeric tea is ready.

8) Honey
Honey can be of great help in soothing an irritated throat as well as shortening the span of a cold. The high amount of nutrients and enzymes in honey help kill bacteria and viruses that cause colds. The simplest home remedy is to consume a mixture of one teaspoon of lemon juice and two teaspoons of honey. Take it every two hours to get immense relief from your cold and sore throat. If you prefer, you can simply swallow a spoonful of raw honey.

9) Spice Tea
Spice tea is highly beneficial in getting rid of common cold. Dry roast and grind a quarter cup of coriander seeds, one and a half tablespoons each of cumin and fennel seeds, and a quarter teaspoon fenugreek seeds. Now, boil a cup of water. Add one and a half tablespoon of this spice powder and one and a half teaspoon of rock candy (misri). Let it simmer for 3-4 minutes. Add two tablespoons of milk. Bring the solution to a boil and then strain it. Sip it slowly.

10) Chicken Soup
Chicken soup has many essential nutrients and vitamins that help treat common cold symptoms. The high antioxidant properties in chicken soup speed up the healing process. In addition, it will restore some strength to your weary body. For best results, make homemade chicken soup using organic vegetables and chicken.

11) Cinnamon
Cinnamon is rich with effective healing properties that can help ease the pain of a dry or sore throat. Mix a teaspoon of powdered cinnamon in a glass of water and boil it. Drink the when it is still warm. For best results, you can add some pepper and honey. If you prefer, you can simply swallow a few drops of cinnamon oil.

These effective natural home remedies can be used to find relief from the symptoms of a common cold. But if the cold lasts longer than two weeks, you should consult your doctor.