11 Proven Home Remedies to reduce colds

 

When you are sick, you feel uncomfortable and confused. The combination of body pain, fever, chills, and a stuffy nose (nasal congestion) make anyone miserable. Many home remedies can reduce your symptoms and get you back to normal. If you still feel sick after a few weeks after using any of these remedies, make an appointment with your doctor. 

If you have trouble breathing, have a rapid heartbeat, feel faint, or experience other severe symptoms, seek medical help immediately. The following are a number of the home remedies you'll use:

Chicken soup 

Chicken soup may not cure colds, but it is a good choice of fluids to take when you are sick. Studies show that drinking a bowl of well-prepared chicken soup with vegetables can slow the movement of neutrophils in the body. Neutrophils are a common type of white blood cells. They help protect your body from infection. The study found that chicken soup was effective in reducing the symptoms of upper respiratory infections in particular.

Ginger

The health benefits of ginger root have been made known for a long time, but now there is scientific proof about its curative properties. A few slices of raw ginger root in hot water may help soothe a cough or sore throat. Research suggests that it can also take away feelings of nausea that usually come along with influenza.

Honey

Honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Drinking honey in tea with lemon can ease pharyngitis pain. Research suggests that honey is an efficient cough suppressant.
In one research study, giving children 10 grams of honey at bedtime reduced their cough symptoms.

Never give honey to a toddler younger than 1-year-old. It contains botulinum spores, and when they get into their digestive tracts, they grow and produce toxins. While they are usually harmless to older children and adults, the immune systems of infants are not able to fight them off.

Garlic

             

Garlic contains the allicin compound produced when crushed. Studies show that it has antimicrobial properties and antioxidant properties. Adding slices of garlic to your diet or swallowing small pieces might reduce the severity of cold symptoms.

Echinacea

Echinacea plant herb may help treat infections. One study suggests that the echinacea plant herb shortens the duration of the cold and flu. It also reduces cold symptoms like sore throat, cough, and fever.

Its active ingredients include flavonoids, cichoric acid, and rosmarinic acid that have many therapeutic effects on the body. For example, flavonoids can boost your system and reduce inflammation. If you are a healthy adult, consider taking 1 to 2 grams of echinacea root or herb as a tea, three times daily, not longer than one week.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C plays a vital role in your body and has several health benefits. Limes, lemons, oranges, grapefruits, leafy greens, and other fruits and vegetables are a good source of vitamin C. Adding fresh juice to hot tea with honey may reduce phlegm once you are sick. 

While this drink might not clear up your cold entirely, it can assist you get the vitamin C that your system requires. Having a diet with enough vitamin C relieves you from upper respiratory tract infections and other illnesses.

Probiotics

Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria and yeast found in our bodies, some foods, and supplements. They can help keep your gut and immune system healthy, and studies show that probiotics may reduce your chance of getting sick with an upper respiratory infection.

To have a delicious and nutritious source of helpful bacteria, include probiotic yogurt in your diet. Apart from its benefits for your immune system, yogurt is a healthy snack that provides plenty of protein and calcium.

Salt water

Gargling with warm salt water may help in preventing upper respiratory infections, decrease nasal congestion, and reduces and loosens mucus. Dissolve one teaspoon of salt during a full glass of warm water. Swish it around your mouth and throat. Then spit it out.

Vapor rub

The smell may not be pleasant, but some ointments like vapor rub may reduce cold symptoms in children older than two years. When you apply vapor rub once or twice before bed, this may help open air passages. And this reduces congestion, cough and improves sleep.

Humidity

Influenza spreads more easily in dry environments. Increase humidity in your home to reduce exposure to the flu-causing virus. Increased humidity may also reduce nasal inflammation, making it easier to breathe when you are sick. The addition of a few drops of eucalyptus oil might also stimulate your breathing. Change the water used in humidifiers daily to stop mold and other fungi from growing.

Warm baths

Sometimes you'll reduce a child’s fever by giving them a warm ablution . Bathing warm water can reduce cold and flu symptoms in adults. Adding Epsom salt and bicarbonate of soda to the water can reduce body aches. Adding a few drops of essential oil, such as tea tree, juniper, rosemary, thyme, orange, lavender, and, eucalyptus may soothe cold symptoms.

Summary

When you are sick, you feel uncomfortable and confused. The combination of body pain, fever, chills, and a stuffy nose (nasal congestion) make anyone miserable. Using any of the remedies in this article can reduce your symptoms and get you back to normal.