It’s cold and flu season, so despite your best efforts to be healthy, you might still become ill. Antibiotics cannot treat a cold, so if you want to avoid visiting the doctor for the flu, try some of these over-the-counter cold and flu cures. An upper respiratory infection known as a cold can affect your nose, throat, sinuses, and windpipe. (trachea). You may have heard that the coronavirus that causes the common cold. In actuality, a cold can be brought on by more than 200 distinct types of viruses. The rhinovirus is the most prevalent cold virus.
Colds are referred to as “common” because, as their name suggests, they are common. Colds are likely to be the illness that you experience the most in your lifetime. Adults typically get two to three colds per year, compared to four or more colds per year for small children.
1. Get plenty of rest.
To ward off the cold, your body needs all the energy it can obtain. You have a high chance of beating the cold before it sidelines you if you are able to get plenty of sleep as soon as your throat starts to feel scratchy. Before returning to your regular schedule, be sure your illness is fully under control. Trying to return to work too soon could make you feel ill and for longer.
2. Drink fluids.
Make sure you consume two quarts or more of liquid each day. When you’re sick, sweating, blowing your nose, and coughing cause you to lose a lot of fluids. Your body will just invite the disease to stay even longer if you let it become dehydrated. Water, juice, soups, teas, and even water-rich fruits and vegetables should all be consumed in large quantities.
3. Get plenty of vitamin C.
A portion of the liquid you consume should be orange juice, which is high in vitamin C. Additionally, since strawberries, kiwis, and green leafy vegetables all have high vitamin C concentrations, you can eat them. Even a vitamin C pill can lessen the length of a cold you already have or help prevent them altogether. Most drug and health food stores carry these tablets.
4. Gargle with salt water.
An effective mouthwash for sore throats can be made by combining a half teaspoon of salt with a glass of warm water. Due to the fact that you already have the materials in your home, it is both less harsh and simple to produce. Rinse with water every six to eight hours until you start to feel better. After two days, if your throat is still hurting, call your doctor.
5. Use a steam treatment.
Doesn’t it sound glamorous? In order to improve your ability to breathe, a steam treatment will help to remove the mucus in your nasal passages without drying out your nose. Utilize your humidifier as directed if you have one. There is a straightforward fix, though, if you don’t have a humidifier: take a shower! Close the bathroom door after turning on the hot water in the shower so that it steams up. Sit in the restroom and take a few deep breaths to enjoy the steam. Take a pause if the heat starts to make you feel lightheaded or overheated.
6. Take elderberry syrup.
Do you favor using natural remedies over prescription drugs for healing? Try consuming elderberry syrup, which is a fantastic cold cure and a natural immune system booster. Every morning, you can take a teaspoon of syrup, put a few drops of elderberry extract in your juice or water, or sip elderberry tea. Health food stores carry the syrup, extract, and teas.
7. Eat raw honey.
Another all-natural immune system booster that eases sore throats and has antiviral qualities is honey. Raw honey can be consumed as a tablespoon or combined with warm water or tea, just like elderberry syrup.
8. Eat garlic.
Unbelievably, garlic provides a lot of health advantages! It is antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibacterial. Garlic has been demonstrated to reduce cold symptoms, lessen the length of a cold, and naturally strengthen the immune system, just like honey and elderberry syrup. Although garlic can be taken as supplements, it works best when consumed raw. A clove should be crushed and left outside for 15 minutes. This gives the powerful antibacterial compound allicin time to grow. At this stage, you can consume the garlic on its own if you truly like it. If you want to make it more tempting, combine it with honey or olive oil and spread it on crackers.
9. Eat a hot pepper.
Consider this: whether you’re sick or not, eating peppers makes your nose run. Chile peppers contain a substance called capsaicin, which gives them a spicy flavor and helps to clear out congested noses. Try a milder bell pepper if you don’t like hot peppers. Although they lack capsaicin, the amount of vitamin C makes the bite worthwhile.
