Effective Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

Effective Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

19-11-2016   |   Posted By: Admin   |   9145 View(s)

Cold and cough are indeed very discomforting health problems. It is hard to concentrate on anything while you have a cold and cough. Running nose, sore throat, headache, body ache- these are some of the common problems that most people encounter when they catch a cold.  The common cold is a viral infection of your throat and nose and is usually not serious. In this article, we will discuss all the Symptoms, Causes and really effective Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

Generally, it takes about seven to ten days to recover from a common cold. But, if you do not get relief and the symptoms do not subside, consult a physician and seek medical help. Cold and cough are indeed common health concerns that strike people mostly during the winter season. It is important to know all about the common cold so that you can take necessary steps to prevent and treat it. Let’s dig deeper.

Cough

What are the Causes of Cold and Cough?

There are many types of viruses that cause cold and cough, but rhinoviruses are the major culprit behind common cold. Rhinoviruses are found in invisible droplets of air that are breathed in or objects that are touched or picked up. These viruses trigger an immune system which causes the symptoms of a headache, sore throat and common cold.

There are other viruses too which lead to cold and cough such as adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and coronavirus. A cold virus typically enters your body through your eyes, nose or mouth. The virus can also be spread through droplets in the air when someone who is sick sneezes, talks or coughs.

Cold viruses are also transmitted through hand-to-hand contact with someone who has a cold or by sharing objects which are contaminated, such as towels, toys or utensils. Touching your eyes, nose or mouth after such exposure or contact can trigger cold.

What are the Symptoms of Cold & Cough?

Once you are exposed to a cold-causing virus, it takes one to three days for the symptoms to appear. The common signs and symptoms of common cold include:

A blocked nose
Cough
Runny nose
Muscle pain
Headache
Sneezing
Mild fever
Sore throat
Body ache
Sinus pain
Weakness
Ear Pain

Natural Remedies for Headaches

How is a Common Cold Diagnosed?

Mostly, Doctors diagnose a common cold by their signs and symptoms. However, a Doctor may order a Chest X-ray or other tests if he or she suspects that you have a bacterial infection or other condition.

What is the Treatment?

There is no cure for the common cold. That is because antibiotics do not work against cold viruses and hence should not be used unless there is a bacterial infection. Treatment is given by the Doctors to relieve signs and symptoms of common cold. Mostly, pain relievers, cough syrups and decongestant nasal sprays are used to treat cold & cough.

What are The Complications of The Common Cold?

Acute Ear Infection
This complication occurs when viruses or bacteria enter the space behind the eardrum. Generally, signs and symptoms of this condition include earaches, and in some cases, it also causes a green or yellow colour discharge from the nose.

Asthma
Cold and cough can also lead to an asthma attack.

Acute Sinusitis
If the symptoms of common cold do not go away, then it can also lead to inflammation and sinusitis.

Infections
Common cold can also lead to pneumonia, strep throat, and croup or bronchiolitis in children.

When Should You Consult a Doctor?

Adults should visit a Doctor if they have a fever greater than 101.3 F. Also if you experience symptoms like a headache, sore throat, shortness of breath and sinus pain, you should seek medical help.

For children, medical attention is required if the fever is greater than 101.3 F. If your child is experiencing symptoms like a headache, cough, wheezing unusual drowsiness, lack of appetite; then consult your Doctor without any delay.

Effective Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

Home remedies for Cough and Cold can prove to be very hand during the winter months as we usually face a lot of Cough and Cold issues during this time of the season and can get easily affected by a cough, cold and other diseases. This could be due to negligence, and it could remain for a long time if not taken care of. Running nose, sore throat and cough are some of the problems faced by all of us during winters.

Pathology Tests

Time-Tested Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

1.Honey

When it comes to taking care of Cold and Cough-There is nothing better than Honey. A teaspoon or two of honey can be extremely helpful to cut mucus production. Honey also kills germs. But a word of caution- Honey can cause botulism, a rare form of food poisoning, in babies. Never give it to any child younger than

2.The magic of Ginger and Ginger Tea

Ginger has antiviral, anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties that help in treating a common cold.

It will sound very ordinary because we consume ginger tea in winters. But it can be very helpful for the throat when you are facing the problem of a severe cough and cold. The medicinal values of ginger help you to get relieved of your sore throat issues. It reduces the inflammation of the membranes that line the nasal passage. So it contributes a lot to providing you relief from coughing and sneezing. So, next time use ginger in your tea and see its magic.

Ginger Powder

3.Steam

It is a very essential and an easy way to clear your blocked nose or throat. In winters, having steam is one of the very useful Home Remedies for a cough and cold because it provides us warmth. There are a lot of ways from which you can have steam. You can use hot tea for taking the steam, or you can also take steam from a hot shower, But the simplest way is to take some water in a mug, add some essential oils to it. Cover your mouth with a towel and inhale the steam along with essential oils. These essential oils when inhaled provides you quick relief from congestion.

4. Handy Home Remedies for Cough and Cold-Gargling

When nothing works in your sore throat, this remedy works as a boon.Gargle lets you release all the mucus which causes cough in your throat. You can simply take lukewarm water and sprinkle some salt on it. Gargle with it around 10-15 times. It will surely relieve you from congestion and will soothe your throat.

5.Garlic

Garlic cloves are a boon during cold and cough. Eating a spoon of raw cloves can a help you lot in treating cough. Garlic contains a chemical allicin which is antibacterial. When we chew a clove of garlic, allicin releases and provides you immunity against these diseases. You can also prepare garlic soup or garlic tea. The antiseptic properties of garlic help us to build immunity against cold and cough. So, just have garlic in any form and be rest assured of a lot of help.

6.Tulsi or holy basil

This is one of the most Popular and commonly used Home Remedies for Cough and Cold. Tulsi is a very powerful modulating agent. It can create wonders in the cold. It not only helps to build up your immunity against cold but also helps in getting the phlegm out from your chest. You can chew 4-5 leaves of tulsi or also use it in your tea. It is a fantastic decongestant and has antibiotic properties.

7.Milk and Turmeric

Apart from ginger tea, milk and turmeric are also one of the very reliable home remedies for cough and cold.If you don’t drink tea, you can opt for this medication. You have to take raw turmeric and boil it with milk. The medicinal properties of turmeric will help you in getting relieved from cough and cold.

8.Hot Drinks

Hot drinks won’t ease a stuffy head, but they can soothe a cough much better than room temperature drinks. Sip on hot tea or water if you’re seeking relief.

Honey

9.Honey, Lime juice and Water

A mixture of a tablespoon of honey, juice of a lemon and lukewarm water can help you in your cough.Honey with lemon can surely get you relief from your cough and also provide relief to your throat from infections. It is a very helpful and refreshing way to get relief in cough and cold.

10. Jaggery

A very common remedy for cough is consuming jaggery in its raw form. If you cannot consume in its raw form, you can make its laddoos and eat them. A very sweet remedy to get relieved from all your cough and cold problems.

11. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has powerful antiviral and antibacterial properties that kill the microbes that cause a sore throat and cold. Furthermore, it also helps to expel excess mucus from the chest, making it easier for you to breathe. On top of that, Apple Cider Vinegar contains prebiotic insulin which boosts the immune system. Hence, apple cider vinegar should be consumed if you want to treat cold & cough healthily.
Simply, take a cup of warm water and add two teaspoons of Apple Cider to it. Then, you need to add the juice of half a lemon and a pinch of cinnamon powder to it. Now, add raw organic honey and stir thoroughly. Drink this mixture three times a day.

12. Red Onion

Red Onion helps in treating cold and sore throat. It is packed with powerful antiviral, anti-fungal and antibacterial properties which help in fighting the symptoms of cold and flu.
Simply, take two to three red onions and start slicing them horizontally. Done? Great! Now, put one slice in a bowl and add raw honey. You have to repeat the process until the bowl is full. Now, you need to cover the bowl and keep it aside for 12 to 15 hours. When you open the bowl, you will find that the mixture has turned into a thick liquid like syrup. You need to drink one teaspoon of the syrup three to four times a day to treat cold and a sore throat.

13. Milk

It is a misconception that milk increases mucus production. When combined with turmeric and ginger powder, it can work wonderfully to treat cold and cough.
Boil a glass of milk and add ½ teaspoon of turmeric powder and ½ tablespoon of ginger powder. Drink it when it is slightly warm before going to bed.

14. Oregano Oil

Oregano oil contains two natural chemicals- terpene and carvacrol that fight off fungus, parasites, viruses and bacteria. Furthermore, it is a powerful antibiotic that helps in curing a cold & cough effectively.
Simply take two to three drops of oregano oil three times a day to get relief from symptoms of a cold.

15. Coconut Oil

One of the many Home Remedies for Cough and Cold is Coconut Oil. It contains lauric acid which is strong enough to destroy viruses and bacteria that are found in the flu, sinus infections and lung infections. Coconut oil is also rich in antioxidants which helps in boosting the body’s immune system.
Simply, consume one to two tablespoons of coconut oil daily to maintain a healthy immune system.
You can also use coconut oil for cooking your meals and get relief from cold and flu.

Coconut Oil

16. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the oldest spices and serves a lot of health purposes. This ancient spice is packed with fibre, calcium, manganese and other nutrients that keep the body healthy. Not just that, cinnamon also has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and is considered one of the best spices that control blood sugar, boosts brain infection and fights off various health diseases.

Take one tablespoon of powdered cinnamon and two cloves and mix both of these ingredients in a glass of boiling water. Let it simmer for about fifteen to twenty minutes. Strain and drink while it is still warm. If you want to increase the effectiveness of the tea, you can also add some honey. Drink this herbal tea twice to thrice a day.
If you want a simple way to use cinnamon for treating cold & cough, then you can simply ingest a few drops of cinnamon bark oil with honey.

17. Black Pepper

Pepper contains capsaicin which helps in providing relief from congestion by thinning the mucus.
If you have a runny nose, put some pepper on your food and enjoy your meal.
Alternatively, take a teaspoon of black pepper and mix it in a glass of warm water. Use this mixture to gargle and get relief from a sore throat.
If you do not want to drink or eat pepper, you can simply smell pepper to treat cold & cough.

18.Ginger and Basil Leaves

This combination is one of the Most Effective Home Remedies for Cough and Cold

You Will Need
• Two cups of water
• One to 1.5-inch piece ginger
• Two black peppercorns
• Five to six holy basil leaves
• Four Cloves
• One teaspoon honey
What You Need To Do
Take ginger, peppercorns, cloves and basil leaves and start crushing them. Now, add water to this and boil the water until it reduces to half. Strain the decoction. Mix in honey and stir well. Drink one to two cups of this in a day.
Benefits
This recipe is called the ‘Kadha’ recipe and is a common remedy for cold in the Indian households. The spices in the decoction help clear up the sinuses and are an excellent remedy for cold and cough.

19.Essential Oils

You Will Need
• One tablespoon coconut oil
• Four to five drops peppermint oil or oregano oil or eucalyptus oil
What you Need to Do
Simply, mix the oils and apply on your chest, neck and forehead. Let it stay for as long as possible. Apply this mixture two times a day.
Benefits
The eucalyptus oil helps in overcoming nasal congestion, and peppermint oil act as an excellent expectorant. Oregano oil has antiviral properties which kill the virus causing the common cold. On top of that, the aromas of these essential oils provide a sense of relaxation.

20.Baking Soda

One of the most Frequently used Home Remedies for Cough and Cold is Baking Soda.Baking soda assists in restoring the pH balance of the body fluids and creates an unsuitable environment for the virus to survive in.

You Will Need
• One glass of water
• One-half teaspoon of baking soda
What You Need To Do
In a glass of water, add one-half teaspoon of baking soda and stir well. Drink this four to five times a day to treat the common cold.

21. Chamomile

You Will Need
• One chamomile tea bag
• A cup of boiling water
What You Need To Do
Take one chamomile tea bag and steep it in a cup of boiling water for four to five minutes. Remove the tea bag. Drink the tea. Drink two to three cups of chamomile tea every day until the cold and cough go away.
Benefits
Chamomile contains ingredients that clear airways and lungs. Also, it has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties that help in fighting off the virus that causes cold.

22. Cinnamon and Honey

You Will Need
• One tablespoon organic honey
• One-half teaspoon of cinnamon powder
What You Need To Do
Combine one tablespoon of organic honey and one-half teaspoon of cinnamon powder. Consume this two times a day to treat common cold and cough.
Benefits
Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties that help in treating the infection and giving relief from cold and cough symptoms.

23. Fenugreek and Honey

Another commonly used Home Remedies for Cough and Cold is Fenugreek with Honey.

You Will Need
• One tablespoon fenugreek seeds
• One glass of water
• Honey
What You Need To Do
Boil one tablespoon of fenugreek seeds in water for a couple of minutes. Allow this to cool down. Once it cools down, mix in honey and stir well. Drink this while it is still warm. Drink this one to two times a day.
Benefits
Fenugreek seeds have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that help in providing quick relief from the common cold.

24. Cayenne

Combine one-fourth teaspoon cayenne pepper, one tablespoon honey, one-fourth teaspoon ground ginger, one tablespoon apple cider vinegar and two tablespoons of water. Stir well and take this healthy cough syrup two to three times a day.

Natural remedies to treat a cough
Who does not want to enjoy a good night’s sleep? Well, everyone does. But, unfortunately, a cough is a common health problem in the winter season which snatches away people’s peaceful sleep. Be it night or day; a cough can be troublesome. Many people resort to taking cough syrups to treat the problem, but then it gives rise to one more problem, and that is drowsiness. Yes, it is not uncommon to feel sleepy after taking cough syrup. So, is there something that can be done to cure a cough without feeling sleepy? Sure, there is!

25. Carrot Juice

Take carrot juice two times a day for one week to get relief from a cough.

26.Betel Leaf with Honey

Take out the root of Betel Leaf and Crush it. Add a teaspoon of Honey to it and make it into a paste. Chew the paste and keep it in your mouth overnight for best results. It helps in giving immediate relief from a cough.

27. Menthol

Menthol, a compound naturally found in peppermint, opens your airways to help you breathe more easily. That means it can also keep coughs at bay. You can find menthol in rubs you spread across your chest, cough drops, and even peppermint tea.

28.Water

Yes, you heard it right. Drinking lots of water helps to soothe the scratch of a cough and keeps you hydrated, Besides it also thins the mucus in your throat. You’re less likely to need to clear things out with a cough.

29.Humidifier

Though keeping the air moist can help ward off a dry cough, take extra care with humidifiers. Dust mites are the No. 1 allergen and grow best when conditions are too moist. Mould can also grow inside humidifiers if you don’t keep them clean. So they both together can make coughs worse instead of better.

30.Cough Drops

Having a Cough Drop can be a great relief. We all have heard about Vicks and a lot of other Cough Drops which are readily available over the counter at any chemist’s Place. Sucking on a cough drop — or even just a hard candy — may wet your throat enough that it puts a short-term damper on the cough. Your best bet is cough drops with airway-opening menthol.

Cold and cough are not serious health problems, but that does not mean that you should not care for yourself when you catch a cold. Try these easy Home Remedies for Cough and Cold to get respite, and if you do not get relief, visit a Doctor. Try these natural remedies to treat a cough. You should also eat a healthy diet to treat a cough quickly and effectively. Avoid caffeinated beverages, processed foods, spicy food and dried food to get relief from a cough quickly. If the coughing does not stop, then do visit a Physician.

Preventive Health Check Up

 

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