Discover natural remedies for common cold relief, including turmeric milk, garlic, and vitamin C-rich foods. Learn how these easy home treatments can help ease symptoms and boost your immune system.
What Is the Common Cold?
The common cold is caused by a virus that attacks the nose and throat. It’s a type of infection that generally takes about a week to recover from, but during that time, it can be quite painful and irritating. You'll experience a runny nose all day, and your throat might get infected, making it hard to swallow. Overall, it’s just uncomfortable. In this article, we'll discuss the symptoms of the common cold and some simple homemade remedies that can help.
Signs and Symptoms of a Common Cold:
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Scratchy throat
- Sneezing
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Postnasal drip
- Sore throat
Causes of the Common Cold:
The common cold is caused by a virus that spreads easily through contact with an infected person. Children are especially susceptible because of their weaker immune systems. If someone has a compromised immune system, they’re also more likely to catch a cold. Here are some common ways the virus spreads:
- Touching an infected person’s hand after they’ve wiped or blown their nose.
- Touching something that an infected person has just touched.
- Wiping an infected child’s nose.
- Breathing in the virus after an infected person coughs or sneezes.
Home Remedies for the Common Cold:
1. Turmeric Milk:
Throat infections often occur in both kids and adults. While it’s not dangerous, it can make swallowing difficult. One of the best remedies for a sore throat and common cold is turmeric milk, also known as "golden milk." Turmeric is a powerful spice with antiviral properties that help fight the virus.
- How to make it: Boil milk and add a pinch of turmeric powder (no sugar or honey). Drink it twice a day. This remedy is effective for both children and adults.
2. Garlic:
Garlic is another natural remedy for the common cold. It has antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it a powerful defence against cold viruses. Unlike antibiotics, which may harm your immune system by killing both good and bad bacteria, garlic only targets the bad bacteria.
- How to use: Eat 2-3 cloves of raw garlic on an empty stomach for 4-5 days when you start feeling cold symptoms. Garlic is a natural antibiotic and can fight the virus without any side effects.
3. Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is essential for a strong immune system. If your vitamin C levels are low, you’re more likely to get sick and experience colds frequently.
- How to use: Eat vitamin C-rich foods like citrus fruits (oranges, lemons) and seasonal vegetables. By boosting your vitamin C intake, you’ll strengthen your immune system and reduce your chances of catching a cold.
Over-the-Counter Medications:
Over-the-counter cold and cough medicines can help ease symptoms for adults and older children. While these medicines won’t make your cold go away faster, they can help you feel more comfortable. However, you don’t need to try all remedies at once—choose what works best for you to help get rid of the common cold.
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