The average human being contracts at least 2 or 3 colds in a year. A cold can leave you feeling tired, sick and lethargic to say the least. The symptoms are even worse in infants and babies.
Hundreds of remedies have been recommended for it, but they do not work for most people. The common cold is a viral infection, and as with most viral infection is hard to treat. Drugs usually counter the resulting symptoms e.g. sore throats and congestion, but there is no known cure. The best you can do is work on relieving the symptoms.
There are several home remedies that you can make in your kitchen which will help build your immunity to colds, or fight the symptoms.
1. Garlic
This is an old remedy, and other than relieving the painful symptoms of a common cold, it is very effective in overall health if taken regularly. The oil contained in the cloves helps open up respiratory airways. The best way to take it is in the form of garlic soup – boil 3 or 4 medium cloves in one cup of water, and add a slice of onion. You can add a drop of honey to sweeten the mixture, and sip on it slowly while it is still hot.
2. Ginger
Fresh ginger is another effective home remedy for common colds. Just chop up about 15 grams, boil in 1 cup of water and add some honey to taste. Drink it while it is hot. It clears up the airways and relieves coughs. You can also make ginger tea, which is prepared by boiling the same amount of ginger in water and adding some green tea and honey. If you take this remedy at least two or 3 times a day, you will notice some relief in your symptoms.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
This is an excellent tonic for the common cold – in fact, if taken regularly it eases many respiratory symptoms. Mix it with water in equal parts, and add honey to taste. You can inhale the fumes or sip the concoction. Used regularly, you will notice that you do not get colds as often and also that if you get them, they are not as severe.
Since common colds are that “common”, you may find that you spend a lot of money on prescriptions and over-the-counter medications when you could easily have made excellent remedies at home. These 3 remedies are guaranteed to help you feel better, and they are great for overall health as well!
