Did you wake up sniffling and sneezing this morning? Do you have a sore throat or feel congestion building in your chest? Do you have a low-grade fever? If you’re experiencing the symptoms of the common cold, then you probably aren’t feeling great. But the best news of your day is that you can begin to feel some relief by implementing simple and natural home remedies for cold. If you’re ready to start feeling better now, try out a few of our tips and experience relief.
Get started with these expert 12 home remedies for cold!
1. Steam Bowl
Steam begins to open up your airways and loosens the mucous that is hiding in your chest and nose. You’ll begin to breath easier — and you may find that you need to blow your nose. So have a box of tissues by your side!
Instructions
- Drop a few droplets of your favorite essential oil — such as tea tree oil — in the bottom of a large bowl that is heat-proof.
- While you are doing this, boil a small pot of water — just enough to fill the bowl.
- Once the water begins to boil pour it carefully into the bowl. As the steam begins to rise from the bowl, gently and slowly move your face toward the steam. Do this carefully, as the steam may burn your skin if you get too close to the water too quickly.
- As you acclimate, pull the towel over your head and the bowl and begin breathing in and out.
You can try this method up to three times a day.
2. Garlic-Lemon Drink
The garlic-lemon-honey concoction works together to soothe a sore throat, open the airways, clear out bacteria and temper dry cough. The honey and lemon are a nice combination to cover up the garlic taste. Our advice is to try to drink this mixture as quickly as you can! Just don’t burn your tongue and throat in the process!
Instructions
- Squeeze the juice of one fresh lemon in a bowl.
- Add the crushed garlic (one medium-sized clove.)
- Throw in a dollop of honey.
- Pour in a cup or two of boiled water.
- Mix and pour into a glass.
- Let the mixture sit for a minute before slowly sipping.
- Work your way up to drinking the entire glass of garlic-lemon-honey drink.
- Repeat two to three times throughout the day.
3. Honey-Onion Cough Syrup
Much like garlic cloves, onion acts as an anti-inflammatory ingredient and helps to loosen mucous building up in your throat and chest. In addition, the honey is a natural soothing ingredient because it coats your throat and tongue. Combined, this cold home remedy is not only effective but it actually isn’t that bad-tasting!
Instructions
- Cut up one medium red onion into even rings.
- Place a few rings in a clean jar.
- Layer with raw, pure honey.
- Add more rings and more honey until the jar is completely full.
- Seal the jar and wait about 12 hours for the syrup to set.
- Eat up to three spoonfuls of your natural syrup every few hours to combat your cough and sore throat.
4. Coconut Chest Balm
Making your own chest balm is among one of the best natural and easy cold home remedies. It also saves you money. The coconut oil nourishes your skin and contributes to a healthy immune system. The key ingredient in this home remedy, however, is the peppermint oil. It opens up your airways and allows your lungs and nose to get more air in the midst of congestion.
Instructions
- Fill a clean pot with half a cup of coconut oil followed by about 8-10 drops of natural peppermint oil.
- Heat up the mixture and pour into a clean jar.
- Seal the jar and let it set until it forms into a solid.
- From there, just rub it onto your chest before you go to bed.
5. Epsom Salt Bath
Epsom salts naturally draw out toxins and chemicals from your body as you soak in the water. This helps clear your body so that it can get on the road to recovery and essentially re-start — making it one of the home remedies for cold you don’t want to skip.
Instructions
- Fill a bathtub with warm water and add one cup of Epsom salts.
- You can make this bath even more pleasant by adding some of your favorite essential oils — such as peppermint or lavender.
- Sit in the tub for about 20-30 minutes to let your body relax and to allow the toxins to release from your body.
- Breathe in the steam deeply.
6. Hot Water Bottle
Are you in pain from your common cold? It’s common to feel achy when you’re under-the-weather, and that’s why making your own hot water bottle is one of x home remedies for cold that alleviates pain almost immediately and helps to soothe your body.
Instructions
- Take any clean, heat-safe bottle and fill it with boiling water.
- Seal the bottle every tightly and wrap with waterproof tape.
- Then wrap the bottle in a washcloth and secure with more waterproof tape.
- Apply your heat compress to any area of your body where you are feeling pain — such as your lower back. The heat helps to soothe the pain in your body.
Warning: Just keep in mind that you shouldn’t apply a hot compress to your forehead if you have a fever. That’s where the cold compress can really help you out.
7. Spicy Broth
If you like spicy food, then making a spicy broth is the perfect antidote to your cold. The spiciness of the pepper immediately begins acting like a natural de-congestor and will begin to loosen the mucus trapped in your throat and lungs.
Instructions
- Bring two cups of chicken, beef or vegetable broth to a boil.
- Cut one jalapeno pepper into rings and de-seed.
- Add to the boiling broth, reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Ladle the broth into a mug and sip slowly.
8. Honey and Black Radish Remedy
Who knew that eating a few radishes a day could help you with your common cold? The spiciness of the radish will help thwart congestion and break it up so you can breathe better. Radishes also are packed with vitamins, helping to boost your immune system. The honey will soothe your throat. Together, they form a unique cough syrup that is completely natural.
Instructions
- Purchase and wash 10 black radishes.
- Slice off the tops and tails of the radishes.
- Use a paring knife to hollow a hole in the radish big enough for a tablespoon of honey.
- Place the radish face down in a glass so that it fits snugly but doesn’t touch the bottom of the glass.
- Leave overnight. In the morning you will have a sweet, spicy radish juice to drink up.
9. Throat Gargle
The combination of the ingredients for your natural throat gargle — most especially the salt — helps to soothe and heal aching sore throats.
Instructions
- Boil a cup of water and pour it into a glass pitcher.
- Add about 4 tablespoons of fresh or dried sage.
- Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes.
- Combine one cup of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of salt in a separate bowl.
- Strain the water and pour it into the vinegar/salt mixture.
- Gargle with this mixture several times a day.
10. Elderberry Cough Syrup
Elderberry, known as Sambucus nigra, and not any of its family members, which can be toxic — is known to help break up congestion and boost your immune system. The combination of the raw honey acts as a soothing ingredient for a sore throat — making this cough syrup one of home remedies for cold that actually works.
Instructions
- Pour a half of a cup of dried elderberries in a saucepan and cover with three cups of water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then let it simmer for about 45 minutes.
- Strain the liquid, making sure to squeeze the berries in the strainer to get all of the juice out of them.
- Add a cup of raw honey to the berry liquid and mix well.
- Pour into a jar and let it cool completely.
- Store the cough syrup in your refrigerator and take a tablespoon of this natural syrup about every four hours.
Warning: This cough syrup does have a shelf life, so you’ll want to note the date you made it on the outside of the jar. Your elderberry cough syrup should last up to three months when properly refrigerated.
11. Ginger Tea
The spiciness of the ginger will open up your lungs and reduce the inflammation of your sensitive mucous membranes. This works great for treating a number of different upper respiratory infections as well.
Instruction
- Grate 8 tablespoons of fresh ginger and place in one-quart jar.
- Sprinkle cinnamon on top.
- Boil 4 cups of water and pour into the jar.
- Allow the ginger heat to steep, covered, for about 30 minutes before straining and sweetening with a little honey.
12. Ice
Sting your sinuses into action with an ice pack applied to your nose. Although atypical, this is one of the easiest home remedies for cold you can find, so give it a go and see how it works.
Instructions
- Fill a bowl with ice cubes and water.
- Use a soft sponge to pick up one of the cubes.
- Apply the sponge to your nose.
In conclusion, getting better with these 12 home remedies for cold will be a process of finding out what works for you. In case you also have a fever, check out our home remedies to help you lower your temperature. We would love to hear how the remedies you try work for you. Please leave us a comment in the section below so that we hear how your sickness improved with our tips. Because we get great information and feedback from our readers, we’d love for you to tell us a little about your symptoms and the remedy you tried to alleviate your illness.
We hope you feel better very soon — and that you’ll return to this guide to home remedies for cold whenever sickness strikes your home again. Don’t wait any longer to feel better! Relief is literally at your fingertips by trying out these natural alternatives today.
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