Best homemade remedy for a cold?
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Thanks
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I hope you don't have a cold so you are not going to need this, but if you do the best thing is the homemade remedies, as you requested, good Q.
A common cold results from exposure to the virus. Its intensity, however, depends upon the state of health of the person and environmental factors.
Low vitality, exposure to cold, lack of sleep, mental depression, fatigue, and factors such as sudden changes in temperature, dust, and other irritating inhalations are important contributory causes.
Common Cold Home Remedies
Lemon is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it. This should be taken once or twice daily.
Garlic soup is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold, and should be taken once daily. The soup can be prepared by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Garlic contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties, besides several other medicinal virtues. The oil contained in this vegetable helps to open up the respiratory passages. In soup form, it flushes out all toxins from the system and thus helps bring down fever. Five drops of garlic oil combined with a teaspoon of onion juice, and diluted in a cup of water, should be drunk two to three times a day. This has also been found to be very effective in the treatment of common cold.
Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. About ten grams of ginger should be cut into small pieces and boiled in a cup of water. It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of sugar added to it. This decoction should be drunk when hot. Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. It may be taken twice daily.
Lady's fingers are highly valuable in treating irritation of the throat and a persistent dry cough. This vegetable is rich in mucilage and acts as a drug to allay irritation, swelling, and pain. About 100 gm of lady's fingers should be cut into pieces, and boiled down in half a litre of water to make a decoction. The steam issuing from this decoction may also be inhaled once or twice a day to relieve throat irritation and a dry cough.
The roots of the bitter gourd plant are used in folk medicine to cure a cold. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal quantity of honey or tulsi leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for colds.
Turmeric is an effective remedy for colds and throat irritations. Half a teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 30 ml of warm milk, and taken once or twice daily, is a useful prescription for these conditions. Turmeric powder should be put into a hot ladle. Milk should then be poured in it and boiled over a slow fire. This mixture should then be drunk by the patient. In case of a running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase the discharge from the nose and provide quick relief.
Tamarind-pepper rasam is also considered an effective home remedy for a cold in South India. Dilute 50 mg tamarind in 250 ml of water. Boil the diluted tamarind water for a few minutes with a teaspoon of hot ghee and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder. This steaming hot rasam has a flushing effect, and should be taken three times a day. As one takes it, the nose and eyes water and the nasal blockage is cleared.
Regular intake of vitamin C-75 mg for adults and 35 mg for children-will prevent the common cold. If, however, a cold has already appeared, large doses of this vitamin will relieve the symptoms and shorten its duration.
Dietaries for Common Cold
During the acute stage of the cold, when fever is present, the patient should abstain from all solid foods and only drink fruit and vegetable juices, diluted with water.
After the acute symptoms are over, the patient can gradually embark upon a well-balanced diet, consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits.
It is advisable to avoid meat, fish, eggs, cheese, and starchy foods.
Other useful measures in the treatment of a common cold are a mild sunbath, fresh air and deep breathing, brisk walks, sound sleep, and adjustment of one's clothes and habits to the requirements of the season so as to nullify the effect of weather fluctuations.
Get plenty of rest..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
paracetamol or aspirin, warm bed and rest , hydration with fluids and vitamin c tablets
Chicken Soup
elderberry. www.awisealternative.com or call 918 492 2400 and they will ship it to you.
broth with chicken stock, onions, onions, whole cloves of ggarlic, more garlic (all organic), parsley leaves and pepper.
You might want to try hot water with a little vinegar and a squeeze of lemon. Not really sure why it works but it does relieve some of the symptoms
Home Remedies for the Common Cold
'Tis the season. There's nothing like the common cold to put a real damper on work, holiday and social plans. A cold usually lasts 7-10 days, with symptoms ranging from runny nose, stuffy nose, headache, sneezing, sore throat, cough, cold sores, back pain and fever. If misery loves company, you've got plenty if you have a cold.
Get Plenty of Rest
Stress can often compromise your immune system and increase your chances of catching a cold. Once you get it, the best way to combat the illness is decrease your obligations and pamper yourself with some good, old-fashioned rest. Try to stay home and commit yourself to a good book or TV, and sleep whenever possible.
Drink Liquids
Water is beneficial to those with a cold, and warm liquids and soups can add some much-needed nutrition. You probably don't have much of an appetite so try some natural hot tea or chocolate, which will help hydrate your body, sooth your throat, and ease sinus congestion. Chicken soup and broth is not a myth, it really can alleviate some symptoms the accompany the common cold.
Take Vitamins
If you don't take vitamins regularly, now is a good time to start. Your body needs vitamins to combat the cold virus. Multi-vitamins that include vitamin C are a good regimen for prevention and recovering from a cold. Just remember to follow the recommended dosage and stick with it for other benefits as well.
Use a Vaporizer
Air gets dry from artificial heating sources so use a vaporizer to add some humidity to the air. This will help loosen thick mucus and alleviate the symptoms that go along with it. Your skin needs moisture too and you'll see benefits from this especially if you're too miserable to carry out your usual skin care regimen.
Warm Washcloth
If you're dealing with a nagging headache in the front of your forehead, try putting a clean, warm washcloth on your forehead and eyes. This can give some relief to the stuffiness that goes along with a cold, itchy eyes that accompany allergies, and the throbbing headache. It also is a good relaxation technique to reduce tension.
Take a Warm Bath or Shower
Usually we feel better after a warm bath or shower when we aren't ill. The same goes for when we have a cold, but there are some added benefits. A warm bath can help you relax and the steam will relieve some sinus and chest congestion.
Gargle with Salt Water
The minute you feel a sore throat coming on, take the opportunity to gargle with table salt added to warm water. It will soothe your throat and can possibly prevent a full-fledged sore throat. Just add the salt to a cup of warm water and gargle.
Keep the cup full in the kitchen and gargle whenever possible. You can heat the water again by putting it in the microwave for a few seconds. Be careful that you don't overheat the water and burn your throat. Use a spoon to stir the salt water and check the temperature before use.
OTC (Over the Counter) Remedies for Colds
There are many OTC cold and allergy remedies you can use at home without a prescription. Some will target specific symptoms, others offer multi-symptom protection. If you don't have the luxury of bed rest, choose a non-drowsy formula so it doesn't interfere with driving and your ability to function.
As soon as your throat becomes scratchy and sore, suck on zinc lozenges to relieve symptoms. For a stuffy nose and sinuses, try a Vicks Inhaler nasal decongestant to help you breath better. Don't overuse any over-the-counter remedies, particularly decongestants because you could end up with worse congestion. Call a doctor if your symptoms persist or fever spikes. Severe colds can be hard to get rid of and can cause secondary illnesses such as sinus infection, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Chicken soup
rum,lime and honey
takimg lots of fruits and vegetables
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.
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