Health & Wellness

Home Remedies to Ease Your Colds

You can’t cure a cold, but you can make yourself—or a loved one—less miserable

By Katrina Caruso

 

With this winter already breaking cold-weather records, it’s no surprise that a lot of us are catching a winter cold. These classic home remedies can help you feel better faster.

Take Your Vitamins

It’s important to consume a daily dose of Vitamin C (in the form of citrus fruit, leafy greens, or tablets), while you’re sick. And adding lemon to your tea helps to reduce phlegm.

Drink Lots of Water

Increase your intake of fluids for hydration while you are under the weather—especially water, as it can help clear up congestion and moisten your throat. If you’re sick of water, herbal teas, ginger ale, and coconut water can be soothing.

Humidity

Increasing humidity levels can help with breathing and nasal inflammation. Ideally, getting yourself a humidifier to put in your bedroom is the best trick, but if you don’t have one, breathe in the stream of a shower or a bowl of hot water.

Enjoy Warm baths

If you’re getting body aches, it’s time to make yourself a bath. Epsom salts can further the process of soothing the aches and pains. You can also add essential oils to your baths for added relaxation and better respiration.

Rinse or Gargle with Salt-Water

Salt can be used mixed in water for use in a neti pot for congestion or as a gargle for a sore or scratchy throat. If using a neti pot, be sure to use distilled or previously boiled water (make sure the water’s not hot!) to avoid infection.

Photo: iStock/Paul Bradbury.