During the autumn and winter season, it is difficult to guard against catching a cold. However, before reaching for medicines, it is worth using natural, home methods for a cold. How to deal with the infection at the first symptoms? How to strengthen the body and help it fight the disease?
The common cold is a collective name for a group of diseases caused by a number of viruses. The most common symptoms of the common cold are runny nose, cough, sore throat, hoarseness, weakness, general wrecking, headache, lethargy. Due to the multitude of viruses and the different level of immunity in each of us, a cold can manifest itself in a particular person with a different combination of symptoms. Regardless of these, however, each time an infection catches up with us, it effectively impedes daily functioning and requires at least a few days of convalescence. Therefore, at the very first symptoms of a cold, it is worth starting the fight against the infection.
How to effectively fight a cold?
In order for the body to quickly cope with the illness, it is worthwhile to alleviate the symptoms on the one hand, and on the other to strengthen the body’s natural forces to fight viruses. Home remedies for the common cold are helpful in combating such symptoms as a congested nose, a subfebrile state, a cough or hoarseness.
For a blocked nose and persistent hoarseness, chamomile inhalations will help. Already popular with our grandmothers, “steaming” over a bowl of steaming boiling water with brewed herbs is also effective in relieving a cold today. How to make a chamomile inhalation? First, pour boiling water over a handful of dried chamomile flowers or 1-2 sachets of herbal tea in a bowl. Once the herbs have brewed, lean your head over the bowl and inhale the fumes. To increase the effectiveness of the inhalation, cover your head with a towel and inhale the hot fumes for a few minutes. Chamomile has properties that soothe irritation of the throat and mucous membranes, dilates blood vessels and facilitates the evacuation of mucus from the respiratory tract.
For respiratory problems, linden tea with inflammatory properties will be great. It is worth reaching for an infusion of lime blossoms at the first symptoms of a cold. Ingredients of lime tea cause increased secretion of sweat, and with it harmful substances from the body. When suffering from a fever, it is worth drinking cooled lime infusion, so as not to intensify the feeling of heat. When a cold runs without an elevated temperature, you can drink hot tea. To prepare it, pour boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried linden flowers and steep for about 8-10 minutes. Alternatively, you can brew sachets of linden herbal tea. You can add honey, ginger, lemon or raspberry juice to the infusion.
For decongestion of the respiratory tract, baths or inhalations with oils (e.g. peppermint, eucalyptus, pine) will help. Just add a few drops to a hot bath or inhalation. The components of the aforementioned oils have a shrinking effect on the mucous membrane of the respiratory system and facilitate the removal of secretions, which allows you to breathe freely. Adding peppermint oil to an aromatherapy fireplace or humidifier allows you to sleep soundly through the night.
Garlic is recommended for strengthening immunity. For a cold, it is recommended in various forms: fresh on a sandwich, as a garlic syrup or in the form of a dietary supplement (such as Alliofil forte with a high content of garlic). Ingredients in garlic support the immune system and stimulate the body’s natural defenses. The simplest method is to eat fresh garlic, but many people are reluctant to do so. For a milder version, it’s worth preparing warm milk with honey, butter and garlic, which will not only strengthen the natural defenses to fight infection, but also provide relief for dry coughs and inflamed throats. The ingredients in this concoction lubricate and moisturize the mucous membrane, protecting and soothing irritation.
See: supplements for the common cold
To warm up during a cold, a proven way is hot tea. It is worth adding to it a slice of fresh ginger, a spoonful of honey, lemon or raspberry juice. Remember, however, that high temperature destroys many beneficial substances from honey or vitamin C from lemon juice. Therefore, before adding them to your tea, wait until it cools down a bit. Alternatively, you can drink warm water (or milk) with honey. You can also brew warming herbs and drink them while still warm.
A hot bath, “basking” under a blanket and a few days of rest are needed to help the body cope with the infection. It is worth reaching for home herbal remedies for a cold during this time. Infusions, inhalations, syrups and over-the-counter herbal preparations for the common cold will help speed up recovery and shorten the time spent fighting the disease.
