Watch Out for These Natural Remedies for Cold
A cold is somewhat accompanied with a cough and is very annoying. You would have a runny and clogged nose, sore throat, and sneezing. If one does get a cold, it means that you have contracted a viral disease that affects your upper respiratory tract.
The cold can range from being mild or severe. And Whenever you get a cold, your loved one or someone you spend a-lot of time with, probably has the same cold as you. Since it is a virus, a cold can be very contagious depending on what kind it is.
As you may know, the cold is the most popular virus in the entire humanity because anyone can contract it and be a host. With several viruses lingering in the air, the human body can never extinguish every bit, that is why colds happen pretty often and several times in a year. Cold symptoms usually last for about a week but if it extends, then it is probably an infection and shall be checked by your doctor. During the first three days of having cold symptoms, you are very contagious. This means you can pass the cold from one person to another, so stay home and get some much-needed rest.
In the case of people living in countries with winter seasons, it is said that the cold and flu occur more often in that season because of low temperatures and low humidity. But in tropical countries, the scene is more complicated. Viruses can easily spread even through the tiniest droplet in the air, that’s why being cautious when having a cold is essential.
The cold has been repeatedly mistaken for a flu due to its close similarity with its causes and symptoms but they still differ. The flu is noted to have much more severe symptoms than the cold and come on quickly. A sore throat, fever, headache, muscle aches and soreness, congestion, and cough are the symptoms of a flu. To make it simple, flu symptoms happen sooner than cold symptoms. People with the flu feel weak and last about 2–3 weeks. When having a flu, fevers are more likely to happen and can encounter periods of chills. Your muscles will ache, and experience a runny or bunged-up nose, headache, and sore throat. If you already know what a cold really is, then you won’t have a hard time distinguishing it with flu.
Since the flu is caused by changing seasons, it is an inevitable disease to avoid. And so, people and researchers have come up with natural remedies for cold to put a stop on the flu.
CHICKEN SOUP
Mmmmm… what a good meal on a cold night. Believe it or not, chicken soup is actually effective for a cold. This is a natural remedy for your cough that every mom has been doing for the past centuries.
You can even ask your mom about it. This dish is the first choice your mom would make you eat when you feel under the weather, because it does not only give you nourishment but also energy to fight the virus. Studies found that ingredients in chicken soup such as carnosine — a compound thought to reduce inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. Making soup out of natural ingredients such as chicken, chicken bones, and vegetables, sums up to a very scrumptious and healthy remedy.
VITAMIN C
This vitamin is one of the most essential in its family. Plus, you can get vitamin c in fruits and vegetables, making it very cheap and accessible. While vitamin c has not yet been proven to prevent cold symptoms, some studies showed shortening the span of symptoms. Generally, Vitamin C is a great vitamin to add to your diet because of the benefit it gives to your body, as simple as, strengthening the body and immune system in fighting diseases.
HONEY
Honey has always been a great natural remedy for almost anything. The properties it has such as antibacterial and antimicrobial makes it the best remedy to run to. A study found that giving children 10 grams of honey before sleeping, alleviates the effect of coughs and colds. Drinking honey with lemon can effectively ease a sore throat. Thus, helps reduce the symptoms of a cold.
ECHINACEA
This is actually a plant from the daisy family. Native Americans had already been popularly used many centuries ago to treat infections and reduce cold and flu symptoms. This contains an ingredient called Flavonoids — a plant that can boost your immune system and may reduce inflammation.
Taking echinacea is said to possibly lower your risk of developing the common cold by more than 50 percent. It may also reduce the length of a cold. For adults, consider taking 1 to 2 grams of echinacea root or herb as a tea three times daily, for no longer than one week.
GINGER
This ingredient has shown health benefits for centuries. It’s a favorite for many people, especially the older ones. It is known to soothe sore throats, coughs, and even symptoms of colds. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger root relieves a sore throat quicker. Chop up a few slices of ginger root and put in boiling water.
SALT WATER GARGLE
This has already proved to work on coughs, sore throats, and may also decrease a cold. Gargling with salt water reduces and loosens mucus, which in turn helps ease cold symptoms. To try this remedy at home, dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in a full glass of water and just gargle the mixture.
GARLIC
Garlic contains an important ingredient called allicin — boost the disease-fighting response of some types of white blood cells in the body when they encounter viruses, such as the viruses that cause the common cold or flu. Adding garlic to your diet may reduce your cold symptoms.
Due to its antimicrobial properties, this helps to avoid getting sick in the first place. According to one study, researchers gave 146 healthy volunteers garlic supplements and the results showed 63% lower risk of getting a cold, and made their symptoms 70% shorter.
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