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Best
Cold Remedies: 7 Popular Home Cold And Flu Remedies
Author: ©Nikki LeRoi
During cold
and flu season, it's normal to see commercials touting the latest
cold and flu remedies on TV that claim to stop your suffering
in their tracks. Most of these over the counter remedies treat
the symptoms, but don't lessen the duration of a cold. Also, many
of these medications can make you drowsy or feel drugged.
Home cold and flu remedies are more popular than ever and are
an alternative to those who don't want to subject themselves to
medicines with lots of mysterious ingredients. While there is
no cure for the common cold or flu, there are several popular
home remedies that can help lessen their duration and effects
on your body.
Chicken Soup
Eating a bowl of savory chicken soup has long been one of the
most popular home cold and flu remedies around. This old fashioned
remedy has really stood the test of time. Chicken soup was prescribed
for colds as far back as ancient Egyptian times. This remedy has
probably survived so long because it does contains protein, which
the body needs to get better, plus, it goes down easy and is warm
and comforting. Recent research has shown that chicken soup does
have anti-inflammatory nutrients. So, go ahead and make yourself
a nice, warm bowl of chicken soup.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is prized for its immune boosting benefits to the body.
When you get a cold or the flu, the virus tends to attack your
healthy blood cells, which then have fight back – this makes
you tired and drains you of energy. When you drink orange juice
or any other citrus juice packed with vitamin C, you are literally
giving your healthy blood cells a boost of power to repel those
nasty cold germs. Many people choose to take the tablet form of
vitamin C. Either way, vitamin C is one of the most powerful home
remedies you can take to fight off a cold.
Echinacea
Echinacea is a popular herbal remedy that is used to lessen the
duration of a cold. You can find Echinacea in capsule form, in
lozenges or as an alcohol based tincture. While Echinacea does
have curative benefits, its effect in cold fighting often has
mixed results. Alcohol based Echinacea tinctures can last for
several years, while the dry leaves found in many pills and capsules
can lose their effectiveness over time. Also, the quality of the
Echinacea varies greatly due to the nature of the plant. The upper
part of the plant contains most of the benefits, while the lower
part has little therapeutic benefit.
Spicy Food
Spicy foods that contain garlic, onions and cayenne pepper can
help you recover quicker from a cold. These three foods contain
powerful antioxidants and immune system compounds that will aid
your body in expelling the virus. Eating a bowl of chili for lunch
or dinner is a great way to eat your way to feeling better in
no time.
Vaporizers and Personal Steamers
Hot steam rising up through your nasal passages and into your
sinuses and lungs is a great way to clear congestion out of your
system. One of the things that makes having a cold so miserable
is that your nose is clogged and your chest if filled with gunk.
Vaporizers and personal steamers work by adding water to a base
and then heating it up until it becomes steam. You breath in the
steam and it clears your system, allowing you to rest easier.
Steam Bath
Soaking in a nice, hot bath is relaxing anytime, but when you
have a cold the steam rising up from the tub can have a soothing
effect on your tired body. Steam is great for breaking up the
congestion that clogs your sinuses and chest. To create an aromatherapy
experience, add a few drops of peppermint oil or camphor oil to
the hot water. Please do not use this remedy for babies and toddlers,
as it may cause them injury.
Hot
Toddy
Hot
toddies are one of the long time favorite cold and flu remedies.
Many people believe that curling up on the couch (or in a favorite
chair) and drinking a hot toddy is a good way to fight off a cold
or flu, but in fact, there is little evidence that this drink
has any curative benefits.
A hot
toddy is made with hot water, or tea, lemon juice, sugar or honey
and either rum, brandy, or whiskey. While delicious, the American
Lung Association cautions that drinking alcohol while sick with
a cold will lead to dehydration, which can make a cold last longer.
However, if you can't sleep and don't want to take an over the
counter cold medication, drinking a hot toddy with alcohol will
send you into a nice slumber.
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