Welcome to the common cold season! All aboard! If you’re afraid you’re going to catch a cold this season, then worry not, we’ve got all the natural ways to treat the common cold, right here for you! The common cold has no cure, you can’t take a pill and make it go away, you can relieve some of its symptoms, such as nasal congestions, headaches or sore throats, but the cold is going to take its course, no matter what you do. Pills and drugs are great to treat the common cold, but drugs provided by our Mother Nature can sometimes be much better for us than the chemicals we find in drug stores. We’re going to give you 15 natural ways to treat the common cold, so read on and start making that shopping list.
10. Ginger
Ginger is great for colds, because it is a wonderful soothing agent with anti-inflammatory properties. The first thing it does is calm an upset stomach, so if your cold is giving you a troubled stomach, ginger is there to help. It also warms the body, promotes perspiration and the flushing of toxins.
9. Zinc
Zinc is another immune-boosting mineral that will help combat the nasty sneezing and sniffling that come with common colds. Most colds are caused by a type of virus called the rhinovirus, which multiplies in the upper respiratory system, the nasal passages and throat. It has been proven that zinc will help stop the rhinovirus from multiplying. Zinc will work best taken in lozenge or syrup form.
8. Honey
Honey is truly magic: it does wonders for your skin, your hair and your immune system. If your immune system is strong then it will be better at dealing with the common cold virus. Honey is an antioxidant, an antiviral and it also acts as an antibacterial. We told you it was magic! You have to be careful, though, not to expose it to too much heat, because it will lose much of its power. Wait until your tea is warm not hot and then add honey to it.
7. Apple Cider Vinegar
Who would have thought that apple cider vinegar can help heal your cold? Well, it’s true, because when you’re sick, your body is put into an acidic state, which can be hard on the immune system. Taking a mixture of apple cider vinegar, honey and lemon will help reduce the acidity, leaving your immune system to do its job.
6. Vitamin D
Many people seem to overlook vitamin D when they have a cold, and it’s too bad, as it is one of the most effective remedies for treating colds. Daily vitamin D supplements will work better at preventing colds, but if you already have a cold, then you should take around 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 and it will help reduce the symptoms and get you back to your normal health.
5. Gargle with Salt Water
One of the best natural ways to treat the common cold and sooth your throat when you’ve got a cold is to gargle with salt water. Make a mixture of water and salt (one tablespoon of water for every cup of water) and gargle with it. It will sooth your throat and it helps speed up your healing. Do remember to spit the water out and not swallow it, it can be rather unpleasant.
4. Take Vitamin Supplements
When your body is sick, it needs a boost. Even though you have a balanced diet and you are getting all your mineral and vitamins, when you’re sick, it loses plenty of those through perspiration and through the fact that your appetite decreases and you’re not consuming as much food. A multivitamin supplement will help your body keep its strength and help your immune system fight the common cold virus.
3. Take a Hot/Cold Shower
Taking a shower is a great way to alter your body temperature. If you have a fever, try to take a colder shower, if you can manage it. If you’re cold, a hot shower will warm you up and reduce the discomfort created by the cold. No matter what you do, keep your fever under control!
2. Vitamin C
If you feel you’re coming down with a cold, then reach for vitamin C supplements and you’re going to be alright. It will reduce the severity and duration of your cold, it’s a fact! Some great news is that vitamin c is a water soluble vitamin, which means that you can’t really overdose with it and you will eliminate it through urine. Still, try to stick to the recommended daily dosage of 90 mg, because if you do take high doses of it (more than 2000mg) you can experience nausea and diarrhea.
1. Echinacea
Echinacea is really a magic plant that will help you get better fast. The best way to get it into your system is through pills, but teas and tinctures are also fine. Echinacea doesn’t really fight the common cold, but it strengthens the immune system so that it can deal with the cold. Studies have shown that Echinacea will also increase the number of white blood cells.
What did you think of our natural ways to treat the common cold? Are you willing to give them a try? Do you have any more tips about natural remedies we could try to cure our cold? Leave them in a comment below.
