To avoid colds or get rid of them as quickly as possible, there are a few simple measures you can take. For example, there are various natural home remedies that help fight a cold.
First of all, it must be distinguished whether it is a simple cold (flu) or a viral flu (influenza), as the latter poses serious health risks for some people. In the case of influenza, you should definitely get a medical examination, whereas the common cold can be treated very well at home.
Typical symptoms of a cold
A cold often develops gradually, while the symptoms of the flu tend to come on suddenly. Typical symptoms of a cold are runny nose, cough, hoarseness, sore throat, fever.
In addition, a cold can manifest itself through nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, body aches and feelings of weakness.
Sleep, rest and drink enough
To get rid of a cold quickly, you should first make sure you get enough sleep and rest. In addition, stress should be avoided as much as possible. It is also important to ensure that you always consume enough fluids. Water or herbal tea, for example, are suitable for this.
In general, it is advisable to avoid physical activity and exertion as much as possible during a cold.
Strengthen the immune system through nutrition
To combat colds, you should first start with your diet. A diet that includes anti-inflammatory foods and largely avoids processed foods supports a healthy immune system, which in turn can prevent colds and support recovery, reports the Cleveland Clinic (USA).
Other measures that strengthen the immune system can also be helpful against colds and various home remedies can also help alleviate the symptoms.
Homemade ginger tea
Ginger has an anti-inflammatory effect. Consuming ginger tea can soothe a sore throat when you have a cold, as well as reduce coughs and nausea. In addition, fluid intake promotes the flow of mucus.
Although there are different preparation methods, the simplest seems to be cutting up a piece of washed organic ginger the size of a walnut and pouring boiling water over it in a cup. After about ten minutes of brewing, the tea is ready and a little honey can be added to improve the taste.
Inhaling clears your nose
A cold is often accompanied by a stuffy nose and a cough. Inhaling with water vapor can help against this. This loosens the mucus in the nose and bronchi.
To inhale, simply dissolve some salt in a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam with a towel over your head. Chamomile, sage, thyme, fir or Japanese mint oil can also be used for inhalation.
In general, when inhaling, care should be taken to maintain a distance of around 30 centimeters from the water vapor.
Hot potato wraps
Hot potato wraps can soothe a sore throat while helping to reduce the urge to cough. To make a potato wrap, take five warm, soft-boiled potatoes and mash them in a cloth. The cloth is folded and then placed around the neck or on the chest.
Nasal irrigation
Rinsing your nose with a saline solution clears the nasal cavity of germs and accumulated mucus. Rinsing your nose with saline not only allows you to prevent colds, but also helps with acute colds.
Gargle with saline solution
A sore throat and hoarseness can be relieved by gargling with a saline solution. This is because the salt water has a disinfecting, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and antibacterial effect at the same time.
To make such a salt solution, one teaspoon of salt is dissolved in 50 milliliters of lukewarm water. It is recommended to gargle with the saline solution for five minutes every two to three hours.
Also read:
- Potato wrap – application and effect
- Chicken noodle soup: The classic for colds
- Allergy or cold: what are the differences?
Apples, carrots and bananas for diarrhea
If you suffer from diarrhea during a cold, fruits and vegetables can help. Apples, carrots and bananas in particular are very effective in counteracting diarrhea due to the swelling substances they contain.
Home remedies are suitable for different purposes
Overall, there are many simple measures that can help prevent and treat colds, although these are not equally suitable for everyone affected. For example, inhaling through a bowl of hot water is not recommended for small children and nasal rinsing is also more suitable for adults. (as)
