Common cold can be extremely annoying. One day you are jumpy and giggly and the other day you find yourself struggling with fever and a sore throat. That’s when you keep asking yourself ‘Why did I catch this cold’. But before you could get any answer you will find yourself lying on the bed with a constant headache and cough.
We’ve all been there. Though there are no ways to prevent a common cold, you can definitely cure it with some quick remedies. Here are 9 tips to help you do that.
1. Keep yourself hydrated
Hydration is essential to break down the nasal blockage and keep you safe from a dry throat. Drink sparkling lemon water or herbal tea frequently. In case of mucus membrane inflammation, you can drink turmeric tea. It works as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Throughout this time avoid sugary drinks like soda and milk. You can also consume honey with basil leaves to get rid of sore throat. There are also several studies done that prove the effectiveness of honey and basil leaves combination to treat colds.
2. Include Vitamin C in your diet
Vitamin C can be extremely effective if you have a slight cold. In fact, if you get easily infected by the flu then a Vitamin C-rich diet should be on top of your list. Start with consuming citrus fruits like lemon, oranges, grapefruits, and mandarins daily, and then you can eventually find more foods.
Doctors recommend a daily dose of vitamin C of 90 mg for men and 75mg for women. Pregnant women must take a doctor’s advice before eating vitamin C-rich foods.
3. Take zinc supplements
Zinc helps to cure colds faster than you think. Research shows that zinc supplements reduce the cold infection timing by 24hrs. So start consuming foods that are high in zinc like beef, cocoa, spinach, etc.
Zinc supplements also have multiple side effects. So, make sure you consult a health practitioner before you include it in your diet.
4. Make chicken stew with bones
Bones have gelatine, collagen, and a lot of vitamins and minerals. This works as a healer to recover your sore throat and lost energy.
Don’t forget to add garlic as this has antibacterial properties. You can also add spices like natural cinnamon powder, turmeric, and ginger paste to activate and boost your metabolism. This will lend some relief to your struggling body.
5. Treat yourself with warm salt water
Gurgle with hot salt water to gain control of the tickling feeling in the throat. Salt helps to flush out fluids from the throat. It also helps get rid of the virus faster and loosens the mucus.
Also inhaling salt water will break the nasal blockage. It directly removes the bacteria and virus particles from the nose. Three times should be enough to treat the nasal area.
6. Don’t forget to take steamy showers
Nothing can be as comforting as steamy showers while suffering from cold. Further, it also helps activate the immunity system and cures your flu faster.
This also helps create moisture in the nasal passages that will give you some comfort.
7. Give yourself adequate rest
Don’t burden yourself with work when you are sick. Take some time off and rest. A study found that the body makes cytokines, a protein that fights infection while you are asleep.
8. Do meditation
Meditation is the key to dealing with everyday stress and maintaining your mental peace. If you are calm and relaxed, your body will heal the cold itself.
So, it may seem tough but try to meditate for ten minutes while you are sick.
9. Drink probiotics and beetroot juice
Probiotics have properties like lactobacillus that give protection to the respiratory system. Different probiotics have different kinds of bacteria. Consult a doctor to find out what is suitable for your body.
Beetroot juice has a lot of dietary nitrates. It activates the nitric oxide production in the body that will help you to safeguard your nasal passage from respiratory viruses and bacteria.
10. Seek advice from a professional
If you still feel your conditions are not improving you can seek help from a professional like the ones at Natural Chemist. They are giving three types of consultations.
- Quick consultations which you can use in case of common disease.
- Full consultations for serious illness.
- Follow-up consultations for chronic health issues.
Now that you know some real-quick remedies to cure your cold, the next time you have a runny nose, don’t whine about it. Instead, get up and use some of these remedies.
