Home Remedies for Cold
The Common Cold, also known as “acute coryza” is caused by a viral infection; in which the upper respiratory tract gets inflamed.
The cold or common cold as it is called occurs more often than other diseases. On an average, a person suffers from the cold 3 times a year and it usually lasts for 3-10 days. Common causes of cold are allergies, lowered body immunity, insomnia, depression, fatigue, dust, sudden changes in weather conditions, irritating inhalants.
Cold Symptoms
Sore throat and nasal congestion are the most common early signs of getting a cold. While it usually affects the nose and throat, it affects other parts of the body as well. Usual symptoms associated with common cold are sneezing, running nose, sore throat, headache or heaviness, increased body temperature, body ache and pain along with loss of appetite.
Common Cold Remedies
Eat a well balanced diet which supplies vitamins and minerals. This helps the patient to strengthen the immune system. Vitamin C is on the top of the list. Dr. Linus Pauling, a nobel prize winning scientist recommended regular use of vitamin C in the optimum daily amount to prevent common cold and if you already have a cold, large doses of this vitamin will relieve symptoms and reduce its duration. He advises you to swallow 500 mg of vitamin C tablet at the appearance of first sign of the cold.
Lime: Lime juice is rich in vitamin C and highly beneficial in all types of colds and fevers. Dilute lime juice in a glass of warm water. Add a tsp of honey. It is an ideal remedy for a cold and dry cough. Lime increases resistance, reduces toxicity and duration of illness.
Garlic: Mix 5 drops of garlic oil with a teaspoon of raw onion juice into a glass of water. Drink this several times a day. It is effective in treating common cold. Garlic has many medicinal virtues besides its strong antiseptic and antispasmodic properties.
Ginger tea: Cut ginger root of ½ inch size into small pieces and boil in a cup of water, then add tea leaves and let it boil for 15 seconds. Strain and add half teaspoon of sugar. This is effective for cold and fevers resulting from cold.
Turmeric or haldi: Turmeric has antiseptic properties and it is very effective for cold and throat irritation due to cold. Add a pinch of tumeric powder to a cup of milk and boil for a minute. You can add sugar for taste. But this soothes throat irritation.
There is another home remedy you can try using ½ tsp of turmeric powder and 30 ml of warm milk: Put turmeric powder in a hot ladle. Pour milk into it and boil over a slow flame. In case of running nose, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase nose discharge and bring instant relief.
Steaming: Steam the face and put a few karvol drops or eucalyptus oil in the water. Inhale the fumes and you will feel better instantly.
Chicken soup for the soul: Drink hot chicken soup to keep down a cold and fever. This is a favorite American recipe for the sick.
