NO matter how health-conscious you are and how hard you try to prevent it, sometimes it does hit you and you come down with that nasty cold. Discover some effective natural remedies to the common cold in this article.

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In colder weather, we spend more time indoors or within enclosed spaces. The stuffy environment due to full blast central heating, plus having people around already sneezing and coughing makes us more prone to catch a cold. That is when we get attacked by the virus that is constantly circulating around us via other people who already have a virus.

Spreading the common cold virus is as easy as shaking hands with infected people, sneezing at a public enclosed space (when on a train, bus, subway, offices, bar, etc.) or simply by touching the lift button or a doorknob after somebody sick has been near.

In my previous post, I wrote about the importance of enhancing our immunity, and now I want to give solutions for when you do catch a cold due to low resistance or perhaps stress.

I assume if you are here, you must be looking for natural remedies to the common cold.

Here are my top recommendations to get rid of that cold fast.

How To Fight The Cold

1. Bone Broth or Soup

The broth has always been one of mum´s favourites when you are sick. Remember how you hated it and tried your best to reject it but MUM still made you force it down.

Well, I have read so much about it and its benefits, that the last time I was feeling poorly and knew I will catch a cold if I don´t act fast, I decided to prepare myself a chicken bone broth (it can be of any other meat, bovine or pork unless you are vegetarian). I was determined not to fall sick.

You have to let the whole chicken simmer in water, bones included, for hours and when ready, you drink two full mugs of soup before bedtime and one full mug in the morning.

Believe me, it works miracles. Possibly you catch the virus in its initial stages and you will be lucky to recover as soon as the next morning. You will feel fully energetic to cope with another hectic week ahead.

Bone broth is high in protein and calcium and aids to reduce inflammation.

Soup is also a good substitute for food as according to Ayurveda, when sick, you should avoid heavy foods and eat less. It is believed that you have built many toxins in your body and that is why you are getting an infection, to get rid of bad toxins.

2. Go for a Walk or do Light Exercise

Help yourself to move those bad toxins. Regenerating heat when exercising will make your body fight the bad bacteria and hopefully, you are in time to save yourself from getting the flu.

3. Sleep

Take plenty of rest as required. If your body is pleading with you to rest, don´t fight back. DO relax, slow down and sleep whenever you get the chance until you recover completely.

Soothe Sore Throat Fast

4. Manuka Honey & Turmeric Mix

Both honey and turmeric have anti-inflammatory properties.

Mix together one spoon of turmeric with two spoons of raw honey in a glass. Stir well until you get a thick paste. Every 2-3 hours take one-fourth teaspoon of the mix.

It is comforting on the throat and after 2-3 intakes you will already notice the difference and reduce the inflammation. Keep the mix in the fridge and take it out an hour before consuming.

5. Gargle With Salt Water

A highly effective method to ease throat infection fast is to gargle with warm water and salt. Make sure to stir in the salt well before gargling.

Repeat 2 to 3 times at each session.

Do this a couple of times and the result is immediate. You feel and see how the pus kind of collects itself together and you will be able to spit it out.

It is such a BIG RELIEF. Try it.

Cure Blocked Sinus

6. Castor Oil

This oil has been a discovery for me only recently. I was searching on YouTube and found this remedy.

First, do some simple breathing exercises. Check this video.

Right after you apply 2 drops of castor oil in each nostril, ideally before bedtime. Continue using on consecutive days when you have blocked sinus and it will help moisturise your nasal passage and unblock the congestion.

7. Using a Neti-Pot

Basically, you flush your nasal channels by pouring saltwater from the Neti-pot. You can prepare it yourself by boiling distilled water and add neti-pot salt. Then tilt your head a bit and apply one nostril at a time.

This seems very easy to do for some and next to impossible for others (me included). If the water keeps dripping out of the same nostril, rather than through the other one, then you are not doing it the right way.

Home Remedy Headache Relief

8. Gel Eye Mask

You can usually find gel eye masks at nature shops. If you tend to suffer from headaches or when you get your first signs of cold virus headache, simply wear it and leave it on for 10 minutes and relax.

Put it in the fridge for an hour and use it cold if you are treating a headache. It is also beneficial for tired or puffy eyes.

If you are treating sinusitis and nasal congestion, it is better to warm it bain-marie style before using it.

9. Pressure Points

A great way to ease a headache is by working on the pressure points on your head and face.

Press the fingers or thumb on the following points for a minute at a time or gently massage in little circles using your thumb.

• on the temples, the outer sides of your eyes – apply pressure on the soft area.
• the area in between the eyes.
• at the base of your skull, the hollow area.
• cupping with both your hands, exercising light pressure all over your head also helps.
• another trick is to grab the eyebrow muscle with thumb and forefinger and do the pinch and release method whilst moving along the muscle from the inside area between your eyes towards your temples. One eye at a time if you do it yourself.

If you can get somebody to do the above pressure massage for you, it feels much better so you can relax. However, you can easily apply it to yourself.

The Best Relief For Cough

That persistent cough is mostly annoying especially when you get the coughing fit at awkward moments.

10. The Golden Milk Secret

This is a remedy from Ayurveda Indian medicine, whereby you mix a half teaspoon of turmeric with a cup of warm milk of your choice and drink it before bedtime. You can also add ground black pepper to make it more powerful and honey for a better taste.

11. Drink Ginger Tea

I hope you find the above helpful and you can get rid of the cold fast. Please share any other methods that you have used and worked for you so we have more alternatives.

Note: Please note the above information is based on my own experience of using the products and how I benefit from it. You should not use the information to treat any health problem without first consulting your doctor. Also, I never use all the above at the same time. Try one at a time and see how it works on you.

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zHK12LkUB4  Sinus Relief Breathing Exercises

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/10/001018075252.htm Chicken Soup Benefits

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDSlUuAOnN0 How to Use a Neti Pot