Being sick is not fun at all. The combination of headache, fever, cough, malaise and nasal congestion can be enough to make anyone miserable. Managing common cold can be extremely difficult, especially if you have children. People might say ‘It is just a cold!’ but you know the suffering only when you experience it yourself. As common as a cold is, it is one of the easiest ailments to treat with home remedies. In this article, we shall be discussing about some natural home remedies for cold. Keep reading!

What is Common Cold?

The common cold, also known simply as a cold, is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract that primarily affects the nose. Throat, sinuses, and larynx may also be affected. Signs and symptoms may appear less than two days after exposure to the virus. These may include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache and fever. People usually recover in seven(7) to ten(10)days but some symptoms may last up to three(3) weeks. Occasionally, those with other health problems may develop pneumonia.

What are the natural home remedies for cold?

Ginger

Ginger root is another folk remedy for a cough, colds, and sore throat. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat coughs and is also for colds accompanied by a runny nose with a clear nasal discharge, headache, white tongue coating, neck and shoulder aches. In Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of India, ginger is also used for coughing and colds. Ginger can be helpful in treating common cold and its symptoms due to its antiviral, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Garlic

Garlic contains the compound allicin, which may have antimicrobial properties. Garlic has long been a home remedy for colds and the flu. People can eat raw garlic, incorporate cooked garlic into meals or take as supplement. Unless a person has a garlic allergy, it is usually safe to use.

Honey

Honey has a variety of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Drinking honey in tea with lemon can ease sore throat pain. The World Health Organization recommends honey as a treatment for cough and sore throat, including for children, stating that no reason exists to believe it is less effective than a commercial remedy. Honey can be recommended for children over the age of one for the treatment of coughs, as it is deemed as effective as dextromethorphan and more effective than diphenhydramine. Please note that honey should not be given to children under 1year.

Mint leaves (menthol)

Menthol can help relieve blocked sinuses and congested airways which are common symptoms of a cold. The decongestant properties in menthol allows more air to be inhaled by nose by breaking up the build-ups of phlegm and mucus, in turn rendering them easier to expel. Menthol comes from many types of mint plant. It has antibacterial and pain-relieving effects. It is an ingredient in many vapor rubs and lozenges.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is known to help ease the pain of a dry or sore throat. You can try boiling one teaspoon of cinnamon powder  in a glass of water, and then mixing it with some pepper powder and raw honey for extra effect or you can add a little extra cinnamon to your child’s food. Cinnamon has antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties that treat the infection and give relief from cold symptoms.

Echinacea


Echinacea is best known for it’s beneficial effects on the immune system. Numerous studies have found that this plant may help your immune system combat infections and viruses, which could help you recover faster from illness. It is one of the reasons why echinacea is often used to prevent or treat common cold. Other studies have found that certain Echinacea products may reduce a person’s likelihood of getting a cold by 10–20 percent. People can purchase Echinacea as a supplement or herbal tea.

Eucalyptus steam inhalation

A steam inhalation with eucalyptus oil may help to alleviate symptoms from colds and flu. It is thought to work by thinning mucus in the respiratory tract. When inhaled into the respiratory system, it is believed to reduce the muscle spasms that can narrow your airway and make it difficult to breathe. It is also said to be a gentle expectorant and to promote drainage from congested sinuses.

Vitamins

You will need vitamin C and vitamin D supplements. Both vitamins are essential for the immune system to perform to its best abilities.  They promote immune response when they are present in the required amounts in the body.

Lemons

Lemons are high in vitamin C, a natural antioxidant that enhances the immune system and has antiviral and antibacterial properties. By boiling an entire cut-up lemon and half an onion in two cups of water, you can make a decoction that will help cut through and reduce mucus in the chest. Slicing a lemon into about 1 cup of water for 8 minutes makes a base for a soothing cough remedy.

You can find here some supplements that can help alleviate cold symptoms. https://victorydrugs.com.ng/product-category/cough-cold-pain/

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Disclaimer: Please note that this information should not take the place of your doctor’s advice. Victory drugs is not liable for any action you take as a result of reading this article