10 Home Remedies To Get Rid Of Common Cold

A cold is caused by any one of several viruses that causes inflammation of the membranes that line the nose and throat. It can result from 200 viruses. The one virus that mostly causes this is the rhinovirus.

The common cold is very easily spread to others. It's often spread through airborne droplets that are coughed or sneezed into the air by the sick person. The droplets are then inhaled by another person. Colds can also spread when a sick person touches you.

Colds usually start 2 to 3 days after the virus enters the body and symptoms last from several days to several weeks.

Signs Of Common Cold

• Stuffy, runny nose
• Scratchy, tickly throat
• Sneezing
• Watering eyes
• Low-grade fever
• Sore throat
• Mild hacking cough
• Achy muscles and bones
• Headache
• Mild fatigue
• Chills

10 Remedies To Remedy The Cold

Drink Lots Of Fluids

Staying hydrated with lots of fluids can thin your mucus and make it easier for you to drain it from your nose and sinuses. Fluids also help to keep the mucous membranes lubricated, which means that you can help eliminate that feeling of dryness in your nose.

Get Plenty Of Rest

Your body needs rest to help recover and aid your immune system. That’s why you might find yourself sleeping more when you’re sick; it’s not a reason to worry, but a sign your body is fighting the infection.

Drink Hot Liquids

Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration, and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. If you're so congested that you can't sleep at night, try a hot toddy, an age-old remedy. Make a cup of hot herbal tea. Add one teaspoon of honey and one small shot (about 1 ounce) of whiskey or bourbon. Limit yourself to one. Too much alcohol will inflame the membranes and make you feel worse.

Eat Infection-Fighting Foods

• Bananas and rice to soothe an upset stomach and curb diarrhea
• Vitamin C-containing foods like bell peppers
• Blueberries curb diarrhea and are high in natural aspirin, which may lower fevers and help with aches and pains
• Carrots, which contain beta-carotene
• Chili peppers may open sinuses, and help break up mucus in the lungs
• Cranberries may help prevent bacteria from sticking to cells lining the bladder and urinary tract
• Mustard or horseradish may help break up mucus in air passages
• Onions contain phytochemicals purported to help the body clear bronchitis and other infections
• Black and green tea contain catechin, a phytochemical purported to have natural antibiotic and anti-diarrhea effects

Gargle Saltwater

You can gargle with water containing salt to get relief for a sore throat from a cold. The recommended measurement is ¼ to ½ teaspoon of salt dissolved in an 8-ounce glass of warm water. The high-salt barrier can pull out a lot of fluids from the tissues in your throat.

Try A Neti Pot

If your cold comes with heavy nasal congestion, a neti pot may help clear you out a bit. The pot pours a warm saline solution through your nasal passage, pushing out built-up mucus and allergens that are clogging you up.

Take Zinc Lozenges

Zinc is a mineral that may help fight off the rhinovirus that causes many colds by stopping the virus from multiplying and keeping it from lodging in your nose and throat.

Take A Hot Bath

A steamy bath or shower will ease nasal congestion and help to relax your body. Adding a few drops of peppermint oil will open your airways to help with a stuffy head.

Take Pain Relievers

Colds often cause headaches, particularly if you're very congested. Taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug like ibuprofen can help ease the pain.

Take Echinacea

Echinacea is an herb that may help treat cold symptoms because it has antiviral properties and can help reduce pain and inflammation.

Research is conflicted on whether echinacea can help with colds, but some studies suggest that it can shorten the length of a cold by 1.5 days.