How to Get Relief from Common Cough and Cold: Top Home Remedies

Air-borne viruses are very active during season changes. This is why many of us suffer from different types of illnesses in these times. Cough and cold is the most widespread and common ailment which affects every household. So many people are found coughing and sneezing in public places. Since these diseases are so contagious it is very unlikely that you will be immune from its sufferings. However, there are a few basic tips, which you can follow to ensure quick relief from cough and cold.

Home Remedies for Common Cough and Cold

The following are a few remedies that you can try at home to fight against cold and cough.

• Ginger and Honey

  Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties which help relieve a sore throat. Peel off the raw ginger skin and finely chop it into small pieces. Chew a few pieces of it slowly for some time. The juice will help reduce your frequent coughing.

  Honey has anti-microbial properties that help to fight against bacteria and viruses. Consuming raw honey can cause fast relief to your throat. When honey is mixed with ginger, it has far greater benefits in healing from cough and cold.

• Turmeric Milk

  Turmeric mixed in warm milk is an extremely popular home remedy for counter cough, cold, and flu. Drink a glass full of warm milk mixed with turmeric before going to bed. This can speed up your recovery and you will feel pretty fresh waking up the next morning.

• Lemon Juice and Honey

  Add some lime juice and honey in hot water and drink on an empty stomach. While honey heals your sore throat, the lemon juice cuts through the congestion caused by mucus.

• Chicken Soup

  Take hot chicken soup. It has high nutritional value and anti-inflammatory properties, which not only helps you recover flu but also reduces nasal congestion by thinning the mucus.

• Garlic and Onions

  Garlic and onions are used as an age-old remedy to fight cough and cold. Both have great healing properties. Including raw onions in your meals will help you deal with colds better.

  Chewing garlic cloves on an empty stomach will prevent a cold at its initial stage. Alternatively, you may add chopped garlic in hot olive oil, and then consume a spoonful once the mixture cools down.

  Another remedy used by some people is to heat chopped garlic cloves in mustard oil and then gently massage on chest and back. This is a very handy technique used to avoid cold during winters.

• Black Pepper

  Black pepper is rich in vitamin C and is well known for its antibacterial properties. Consume black peppercorns mixed with a tablespoon of honey as a remedy for cough and cold.

• Spiced Ginger Tea

  Brew a spicy tea with a mixture of freshly chopped ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. Not only does it taste wonderful, but it will bring you a sigh of relief to your sore throat and cold.

• Green Tea

  Green tea is rich in antioxidants, and it helps you protect against viral and bacterial infections, including cough, cold and flu.

• Lemon Tea with Holy Basil Leaves

  Both lemon and holy basil are well known for their antibacterial properties. Brewing tea with lemon and holy basil leaves is a quick remedy against cough. You may add some peppercorns which will boast its effects further.

• Honey and Holy Basil

  Mix a spoonful of honey with crushed holy basil leaves. This relieves sore throat.

• Honey with Licorice and Cinnamon

  Create syrup mixed with honey, licorice, and cinnamon. Not only does it taste delicious, but helps relieve from the cold as well.

• Flax Seeds

  Boil flax seeds until it thickens, and then add lime juice and honey. Drink the mixture for relief from cough and cold.

• Fenugreek Seeds

  Fenugreek seeds have a high amount of antiviral properties, which kills germs and viruses causing cough and cold. Fenugreek is also known to increase immunity. Soak fenugreek seeds overnight in water, and then sip the same water several times the next day after filtering out the seeds.

• Peppercorns with Cumin and Jaggery

  Boil a pan of water and add peppercorns, cumin, and jaggery. Drink the liquid to get instant relief from chest congestion caused by cough.

• Marshmallow Root

  Marshmallow root is extremely helpful in dealing with dry cough and helps in healing from respiratory tract infections. Brew a cup of tea with marshmallow root to get rid of your respiratory problems caused by cough and cold.

• Pineapple

  Pineapples are rich in vitamin C, and the presence of anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain helps heal a sore throat.

• Apple

  Apples are rich in flavonoids, antioxidants and vitamin A, which increases immunity to fight viruses causing cough and cold.

• Cinnamon and Cloves

  Cinnamons and cloves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which help fight cold and flu viruses.

• Gargling with Warm Water

  Add a pinch of table salt into warm water and gargle to relieve a sore throat. Repeat the procedure several times a day for instant relief.

• Inhaling Hot Steam

  Pour hot steamy water in a pan and inhale the steam by covering your face with a towel. This will help you get rid of your nasal congestion caused by cough and cold.

Trying the above-mentioned remedies alongside there are few types of foods that you should not take while you’re attacked by common cold and cough.

Foods to Avoid During Cough and Cold

The following are the type of foods you should avoid while suffering from cough and cold.

• Alcoholic Beverages

  It is a common myth that consuming alcohol may reduce cough and cold. But on the contrary, alcohol consumption in almost any form like beer, whiskey, vodka or rum, is most likely to weaken your immunity to fight against viruses causing cough and cold.

• Dairy Products

  Avoid all forms of dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese when you are suffering from a bad cold. Dairy products are known to increase mucus which may further aggravate your cough issues.

• Caffeinated Drinks

  Drinks and beverages high in caffeine like coffee, soft drinks, soda, and even regular tea. Caffeine intake dries up your cough which may cause breathing issues.

• Fried Snacks

  Fried snacks are high in fats and can lead to inflammation. Foods high in fat content may reduce your immunity and will hamper your recovery.

• Candies and Chocolates

  Candies and chocolates have high calories and are rich in sugar. This may weaken your immunity to cope up with the cold. So avoid sugary foods while you are sick.

• Bananas and Papayas

  Fruits like banana and papaya contain Histamine, which has the ability to make your nasal passages swell, causing congestion and stuffy nose. Although these fruits are highly nutritious avoid them when you are suffering from a bad cold.

Just like the seasons change every year as a cycle, cough and cold are going to come and go. The best we can do on our end is to have a list of do’s and don’ts to follow, and a general awareness on some homemade remedies which can help in our recovery process.

If you want to share any other remedies that have helped you to fight against common cold and cough, write in the comment below.