How To Get Rid of A Cold Fast? 10 Powerful Cold Remedies
Is your immune system weakened, and you easily catch infections? You should be careful, especially during fall and winter. It's easiest to catch a common cold during these seasons. Although it's not dangerous, it might be tiresome, and disrupt your daily life. Before taking any medications, try home remedies for a cold, coughing and sneezing. Natural methods are the most effective.
What causes common cold?
A cold usually appears when the organism is weakened and gets attacked by viruses. A slight chill or getting soaked during a walk is enough to start feeling bad.
Those who don’t pay attention to their lifestyle are particularly vulnerable to a cold during fall and winter:
- their diet is low in vegetables and fruits,
- they don’t get enough sleep,
- they don’t go outside,
- they are stressed,
- they are exhausted.
A common cold might also appear when one sits for a long time in an overly cold, or the opposite, too hot room.
What is a common cold?
A common cold is an ailment caused by spreading of viruses. It means that, especially at the beginning, when the symptoms are mild and there’s no fever, it’s pointless to take medications, and certainly not antibiotics.
With a lot of rest and some effective home remedies for cold, you can combat the enemy. Note that cold remedies for pregnant women are particularly noteworthy, but before trying any of them, make sure to consult your doctor.
Herbal teas and infusions
Teas are absolutely essential in fall. Such beverages are recommended mostly because they warm you up effectively, which is the basic element of fighting a cold. Various herbal teas are the best option. One can simply purchase them. But some people have their gardens, and decide to grow and dry herbs – this way, they are even more effective.
The best herbs that cure cold fast:
- marsh mallow,
- black hollyhock,
- ribwort plantain,
- Iceland moss,
- coltsfoot.
Teas from linden flowers or elderberry flowers are also a good option. These remedies will put you back on your feet quickly.
Cold remedies for a runny nose – inhalations
If you feel quite well, but a runny nose is bothering you, some home remedies might come in useful. Inhalation with the mentioned dried herbs are particularly valuable.
Inhaling steam with a few tablespoons of dried herbs can work miracles. Which plants are the best for this purpose? Take a look at the list below:
- mint,
- chamomile,
- sage,
- marjoram,
- thyme.
Onion syrup – home remedies for a cold and a cough
Are you bothered by a cough and have no idea how to get rid of it? Try some cough remedies. Onion syrup is one of them. You can make it easily at home. What do you need? Only 3 ingredients:
- an onion cut into strips,
- sugar,
- a tablespoon of honey.
Put the onion in a medium-sized jar (it cannot be too tall), pour the sugar over it and pour the honey. Put the jar in a shaded but warm spot. The first dose of the syrup should appear after about 5 hours.
Effective cough remedies? Beetroot syrup!
Are you not a fan of onions? Beetroot syrup is a perfect alternative. You can also make it yourself; it’s not difficult. In this case, you need even fewer ingredients – only beetroots and sugar.
To make the miracle cough elixir – follow the steps below:
- Thoroughly wash medium-sized beetroots and remove the roots.
- Cut a hole from the side of the roots and pour sugar in it.
- Lay the beetroots on a baking tray and put it in a hot oven for a couple of minutes.
- As soon as you notice syrup appearing in the holes – take the beetroots out and pour it into a small jar.
How to cure a cold with honey and spices
If you don’t like herbs, we have good news for you – there are other cold remedies apart from herbal teas, brews, and inhalations.
Honey combined with spices might be a good solution. Dandelion honey is the best option – but it might be difficult to obtain, unless you prepare it yourself. If you don’t have it, linden honey, or any other type will work.
The honey should be warmed up. In order to keep its properties and achieve a good consistency – do it in a water bath. Then, add some powdered spices to it. Which ones are the best for this purpose?
- nutmeg,
- cloves,
- cinnamon.
When everything gets combined, you can take the mixture off the heat and use about half a teaspoon 2-3 times per day.
Warming up – the best cold remedy
Have you caught a sudden chill, or you got soaked on a walk, and you feel worse by the minute? Warming yourself up might help you. Jump under the blanket as soon as you can, and if you have a hot water bottle at home, fill it with water and start warming yourself.
You can also use some solutions that work from within. A hot broth is the best option. You can also pick a spicy soup, if you like such flavors.
Vitamins from fruits – common cold home remedies
Your daily diet should be rich in vitamins and minerals. Fruits and vegetables are their primary sources. But sometimes one can forget about it in the turmoil of everyday life.
What to eat to strengthen the organism? Make sure your diet contains:
- parsley,
- pepper,
- broccoli,
- kale,
- raspberries,
- oranges.
Don’t forget about lemon or lime, and some ginger in your tea.
Garlic – one of the most effective cold remedies
We suggest using garlic not only when you catch a cold, but also as a preventive measure. It seems an insignificant ingredient, but it’s great against infections. It’s also perfect when you have a low-grade fever and want to sweat it out.
How to use garlic as a cold remedy? Just crush it and spread it on a slice of bread. A daily dose shouldn’t exceed 2-3 cloves. You can also make a herb butter with garlic. It’s definitely easier to eat in this form.
Anise – home remedies for cold and sneezing
Few people know that anise if a perfect cold remedy. A brew is the best form, although not everyone will be able to drink it because of the characteristic taste and smell. If you don’t mind them – try it.
Pour hot water over one teaspoon of powdered anise in a mug. You can drink such a tea 2 to even 3 times a day.
How to cure a cold with a common yarrow
Just a couple dozen years ago, common yarrow was an obligatory element of every medicine cupboard. This plant is great for various infections. It treats inflammation in mouth, but can also help with cold.
Just like with anise – yarrow is used as a tea. One teaspoon of the herb should be brewed in hot water, then strained and drunk.
📍 How long does a cold last?
The duration of a common cold depends mostly on how fast you react and how strong your organism is. Typically, the symptoms last for a week. But sometimes, with plenty of rest and some home remedies, they might disappear after 3 days.
📍 How to get rid of a cold fast?
If you want to cure a cold fast, let yourself rest. A lot of sleep, drinking plenty of liquids and some home remedies for a cold are recommended. If you don't notice any improvement after a few days – go to a doctor.
📍 How to get rid of a child's cold quickly?
If the child has only a runny nose and a cough, you can try some cold remedies for kids. Onion syrup and inhalations are a good option. But if the organism is weakened, consider consulting with a specialist.
📍 What's the best honey for a cold?
Linden honey is the best cold remedy. It has a characteristic smell and light color. It has anti-cough properties and helps with sinusitis. Acacia honey is also a good option, as it aids the immune system.
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