Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Clear your nasal passages
• Tips
• Warnings

The common cold will almost always clear up on its own within 4 to 7 days, but there are things you can do to relieve symptoms so that you feel better a little faster. Read on to learn more about natural remedies that can help you get rid of your cold quickly.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Clear your nasal passages

1. Drink plenty of warm liquids. Warm liquids help loosen the mucus in your sinuses so that it comes out more easily, making you feel better soon. Research has shown that cold symptoms such as a stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat and fatigue are alleviated by drinking warm drinks.
   • Warm herbal tea works wonders. Have an herbal tea like chamomile or peppermint to keep yourself hydrated. Adding some honey and lemon will soothe your throat and make the effects last a little longer. Chamomile helps against stress and fatigue, while peppermint can relieve nasal congestion.
   • Japanese Benifuuki green tea helps against a stuffy nose and allergy symptoms, if you drink it regularly. There is also a traditional tea with slippery elm bark as the main ingredient, which deposits a layer on the inside of the throat so that it soothes a sore throat better than other teas.
   • Hot broth is also great when you have a cold. Drink large amounts of vegetable or chicken stock, but preferably choose variants with less salt. Chicken soup softens the throat and loosens mucus.
   • If you like coffee, you don't have to leave it alone. Coffee keeps you more alert when you have a cold. Of course, children shouldn't drink caffeine. Hot water, tea, and broth should be the main drinks as too much caffeine dehydrates you.
   • Leave alcohol. This can actually make a stuffy nose and swollen mucous membranes worse.
2. Know when to see your doctor. In many cases, the doctor will tell you that you can relieve the symptoms with one of the remedies in this article. However, if you have severe symptoms with your cold or flu, or if you have a respiratory condition, see your doctor. Get medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:
   • High fever (higher than 39ºC)
   • Ear or nose inflammation
   • Green, brown or bloody snot from the nose
   • Cough with green mucus
   • Cough that does not go away
   • Skin rash
   • Difficulty breathing

Tips

• Peace! If you demand too much from your body, it will only take you longer to get better.
• Rest as much as you can. That means you can catch up on sleep during the weekend and even stay home from work for a few days. Drink a lot (water is best).
• Wash your hands after wiping your nose, using a clean tissue each time. Wash your hands regularly. Use sanitizing gel on your hands when you are not at home.
• Eat healthy and get enough rest so that your body can recover quickly.
• Do not smoke or inhale secondhand smoke when you have a cold. Smoke irritates the mucous membranes and can make your symptoms worse.
• Cold or a drafty room will not make you catch a cold.
• Make a soup with 4 cloves of garlic, 1 tablespoon of ginger, 500 ml of chicken stock and 1 teaspoon of paprika.
• Throw cold water on your face. That refreshes. However, this only helps temporarily; the effect lasts for about 30 minutes.
• Exercise helps prevent colds. Research has shown that moderate exercise reduces the risk of catching a cold.

Warnings

• See your doctor if symptoms do not improve within 7-10 days, or if you experience symptoms such as a high fever (39ºC or more), nasal discharge, cough with lots of mucus, or a rash.
• If you are pregnant, certain medicines, herbs and supplements can be harmful to you and your baby, so you should not take them.
• Always consult your doctor before using any herbal remedy. Some herbs affect how certain medicines work and can make conditions worse.
• If you have a lung disease, such as asthma or emphysema, call your doctor right away if you have a cold.