Natural remedies for the common cold?!

Natural remedies for the common cold?

I got a cold yesterday, and its got worse today. Is there any home made remedies that i could try?

There are a lot of home remedies for common cold. Common cold is due to viral infection, and lasts for about 3 days. Unfortunately, none of these viruses are susceptible to our present antibiotic medicines. Adenoviruses produce the more serious type of colds, and they are often followed by tonsillitis and sore throat even virus pneumonia, particularly in children. Sometimes the membranes of the eyes are also involved.
Any person may carry the cold virus. However, children under six years of age seem readily to pass the infection from one to another, and soon all the family is involved. Colds are always more serious in the younger children.

HOME REMEDIES FOR COMMON COLD

* Vitamins are most helpful in fighting against the cold as well as other diseases. Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid, is helpful in preventing the colds and it can be found in many foods such as citrus fruits, some vegetables.
* Zinc is also helpful for cold that can cut colds short. When you first feel that you may be getting a cold, start taking zinc
* Garlic, as well as onion, is sometimes taken for the relief of congestion and minor infections.
* Horseradish is another herb that has an excellent property to treat sore throat and upper respiratory tract infections, reduces fever, and expels concentrations of mucus.
* Another effective remedy for sore throat is to gargle with a strong solution of table salt and warm water. Gargle several times a day.
* Echinacea is an herb that acts as nature's antibiotic. It helps to increase the body's immunity and thus helps in fighting against the infection and illness.
* Goldenseal is another herb that acts as a natural antibiotic, and can be taken to help fight against the cold.
* Add 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to about 5 ml lukewarm water. Use this solution as a nasal drop. Use 1 to 2 drops in each nostril about 3 to 4 times daily.
* A ginger tea can be prepared by boiling ginger in normal tea. It gives relief to congested nose.
* Drink a teaspoonful of ginger juice mixed with equal quantity of honey.
* Take hot water in a bowl and put some Thyme leaves. Inhale vapors by covering head with a towel.
* Add 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 shot of lemon juice, 1 shot of whiskey to a coffee cup. Fill the remainder of the coffee cup with steaming hot water, stir, and sip until cold is relieved.
* Make hot chicken soup with lots of garlic. Have when hot. It will help unclog nasal passage.
* Warm ¼ katori mustard; add 4-5 cloves of chopped garlic. Apply this on nose, chest and back. Cover up and sleep.
* Boil half a bowl of water, add few drops of eucalyptus oil and inhale the steam.
* Sage is used to cure sore throat, stuffed nose, gingivitis and coughs, is a powerful antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal. Use as a gargle.
* Warm up coconut oil. Gently massage the coconut oil over the child’s chest for about 5 minutes. Repeat the same on the upper portion of the back. The massage should be given just before child goes to sleep.
* Avoid sugar (even natural sources) as it can impair immune function. Orange juice contains a much higher level of sugar than vitamin C. Therefore consuming lots of orange juice during a cold may do more harm than good.
* Chilies, especially Jalapeno, are the best, most available and most effective antiviral.
* Elderberry has been used for centuries to treat colds and flu. Recent research indicates that elderberry fruit extract may de-activate cold and flu viruses by preventing them from replicating.
* A diet rich in fresh fruits, vegetables, salads, low saturated fats and whole cereals will provide protection against infective organism. Raw fruits and vegetables are better than the cooked one.
* Take 1 tbsp of fresh gooseberry juice with 1/2 tsp ginger. It is a very effective remedy. This can be taken regularly to prevent recurrence of cold.
* A tablespoon of ajwain crushed in the palms and tied up in a thin kerchief can be used for inhalation to relieve nasal block.
* Boil 1 tbsp of pepper powder in a cup of milk along with a pinch of turmeric. Add some sugar for taste. Drink this once a day for three days.
* A tablespoon of carom seeds (ajwain) crushed and tied in a muslin cloth. Inhale whenever nose is blocked.
* Boil 1 tbsp of pepper powder in a cup of milk along with a pinch of turmeric. Add some sugar for taste. Drink this once a day for three days.
* 3-4 tsp onion juice with 3-4 tsp honey taken daily prevents cold.
* ½ tsp cinnamon oil mixed with ½ tsp honey certainly helps.
* Coarsely pound ginger is boiled in a cup of water till the water reduces to half the original volume, add some honey and drink hot at bedtime.

For dry and stuffy nose, try normal saline or salt water nasal drops made by adding 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to about 4 ml lukewarm water. Make a fresh solution every few days keeping it in refrigerator. Use a clean dropper to instill 1 to 2 drops in each nostril about 3 to 4 times daily for common cold .

Do not use medicated nasal drops without physician's consent as excessive use will cause chemical rhinitis with rebound block

Garlic juice made by adding few drops of garlic oil to a teaspoonful of onion juice and diluting it in a cup of water is helpful for common cold

Ginger tea or a teaspoonful of ginger juice taken with equal quantity of honey brings relief from common cold.