Remedies For The Common Cold: Chicken Soup Has Been a Remedy for Centuries!
The cold season is here, and many are battling sneezing, coughing, runny noses, and sore throats. While there’s no magical cure for the common cold, managing symptoms and boosting the immune system can make a big difference. Over-the-counter cold medicines can help, but some people prefer to avoid them, especially for young children.
Remedies For The Common Cold, There are plenty of natural, simple, and affordable remedies that can help alleviate symptoms and speed up recovery—ranging from immune-boosting foods to daily habits. Yahoo Life has compiled six tips to combat cold symptoms and recover faster this season.
Natural Remedies For The Common Cold
1. Chicken Soup
Remedies For The Common Cold, Chicken soup has long been considered a go-to remedy for colds. In 2000, Dr. Stephen Rennard, a professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, studied its effects and found that chicken soup has mild anti-inflammatory properties. The combination of broth and vegetables can help reduce inflammation.
The warm, aromatic steam from chicken soup can open up nasal passages better than plain hot water. Moreover, chicken soup is rich in nutrients, including protein, antioxidants, vitamins, vegetables, and easily digestible carbohydrates.
2. Gargling With Salt Water
Remedies For The Common Cold, If you have a sore throat, gargling salt water—a half teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water—is a simple and natural way to soothe it. Salt water can kill bacteria, clear the throat, and reduce pain and swelling.
A 2019 study showed that individuals with viral or allergic throat inflammation (non-bacterial pharyngitis) who gargled salt water three times a week reported less throat pain, easier swallowing, and reduced throat swelling compared to those using antimicrobial mouthwashes.
Remedies For The Common Cold, Gargling with salt water is quick, easy, and budget-friendly, and while warm water may feel more soothing, cold water is also effective. It’s safe for adults and children who can properly gargle.
3. Honey
Remedies For The Common Cold, Honey is more than just a sweetener—it offers a range of benefits, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Studies show that honey can reduce the severity of coughs, treat chronic coughs, and improve sleep. Even a single day of honey consumption can soothe a child’s cough by increasing saliva production and encouraging swallowing. Its thick texture coats the throat, calming irritation and reducing the urge to cough.
You can take 1-2 teaspoons of honey alone or mix it into tea or warm water. While honey is generally safe and has few side effects, never give honey to children under one year old due to the risk of botulism, a serious nervous system illness.
4. Stay Hydrated
Remedies For The Common Cold, Proper hydration is one of the best ways to support your body during a cold. Fluids help thin nasal mucus, reducing congestion and making breathing easier.
5. Sleep
Remedies For The Common Cold, Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for maintaining health, yet it’s often overlooked. Getting less than six hours of sleep per night can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of catching a cold.
When you’re sick, sleep becomes even more important. During rest, the body releases cytokines—special proteins that activate immune cells to fight infections. Sleep is crucial for a stronger immune response.
Remedies For The Common Cold, When ill, your body naturally demands more rest, often spending more time in deep sleep—a stage where energy is conserved, allowing the immune system to focus on fighting infections.
6. Elderberry (Sambucus)
Remedies For The Common Cold, Elderberry, also known as Sambucus, is a medicinal plant from the berry family (Berry) and is rich in anthocyanins, giving it a dark purple color. Derived from the Sambucus nigra tree, elderberry has been used for centuries to treat colds, flu, and more. Even Hippocrates, the father of medicine, referred to it as a “magic box.”
Consuming elderberry within the first 48 hours of illness can reduce symptoms like fever, headaches, and nasal congestion while shortening the duration of the illness. One study found that travelers who took elderberry 10 days before and 5 days after an international trip reported fewer cold symptoms, and their illnesses lasted two days less.
Remedies For The Common Cold, Elderberry is available in various forms, including syrups, teas, tablets, and lozenges, making it easy to incorporate into your cold-fighting routine. However, do not eat raw elderberries, as they contain toxins that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
By incorporating these natural remedies into your routine, you can tackle cold symptoms effectively and support a faster recovery.
Also Read:
Understanding And Managing Sore Throats In The Fall: Causes, Remedies, And Prevention
The 9 Best Combatting Colds With Herbs: Nature’s Remedies For Seasonal Wellness
