Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Treating colds with water and steam
• Method 2 of 3: Treating colds with herbs and natural remedies
• Method 3 of 3: Preventing colds
• Tips

By using natural, time-tested cold remedies such as warm drinks and steam treatments, you can relieve cold symptoms without resorting to expensive, chemical syrups and aerosols. Read this article to find out how you can cure a cold with simple natural remedies.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Treating colds with water and steam

1. 1 Drink plenty of warm liquids. The reason for the appearance of a cold is the active work of the body, aimed at fighting the virus. The warm liquid will constrict the vessels in your nasal passages, which will make it easier for mucus to pass naturally, and you can heal very quickly.
   • Drink warm water with lemon and honey. This natural remedy contains so many biologically active components that a cold simply cannot withstand such an onslaught and the virus leaves your body.
   • Drink herbal teas. Chamomile, peppermint, and ginger teas soothe sore throats and act as mild decongestants.
   • Drink warm soup. Chicken soup helps to clear sinuses and is a nutritious and healthy meal during colds when there is no appetite at all. Cook garlic soup. This is a good cold remedy as garlic is anti-edematous. Saute the garlic in olive oil, add chicken or vegetable broth, cook for ten minutes and your soup is ready. Drink warm.
2. 2 Take a warm bath or shower. The steam from the water helps to clear the nasal passages and relieve pain in the chest, throat, and sinuses.
   • You can also arrange steam treatments. Heat a pot of water. Bring water to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Lean over the pot and let the steam envelop your face, mouth and nose. Add a few drops of peppermint, or use other essential oils for this purpose. Through this procedure, you cleanse your sinuses.
   • Dip a cloth in hot water and place it on your face. Keep it on your face until it cools down. This method is good if you are away from home and want to do some quick steam treatments.
3. 3 Use neti pot. A neti pot is a small vessel of water specially made to cleanse the nasal passages with a saline solution, so its action can be referred to as "rinsing the nose." You simply fill the kettle with warm water, add a little salt and insert the spout of the kettle into your nostril.
   • Neti pot can be purchased at many pharmacies or specialty stores.
   • Make a saline solution: 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in one glass of water. Fill the neti-pot with the prepared solution.
   • Stand over the sink, tilt your head to one side, and insert the spout of the neti pot into one nostril. Pour the solution into a nostril and wait for it to flow out of the other nostril.
   • Refill the neti-pot with the solution again and repeat on the other nostril.

Method 2 of 3: Treating colds with herbs and natural remedies

1. 1 Use herbs to treat colds. Some herbs are sold in health food stores and are quite effective in treating colds.
   • Echinacea helps relieve symptoms of respiratory infections and comes in a variety of forms, such as an extract, tea, or lozenges.
   • Try ginseng. If you are experiencing the first symptoms of a cold, drink ginseng tea to relieve sore throat.
   • Drink elderberry tea. It is a traditional European cold remedy made from elderflower flowers and peppermint leaves. It not only strengthens the immune system, but also helps relieve cold symptoms.
2. 2 Use natural tortillas. The health food section sells tortillas with honey, mint, and other natural ingredients. They soothe a sore throat, provide the body with essential nutrients, thanks to which you can heal a cold quickly.
   • If you don't want to buy tortillas, you can make them yourself at home.
     • Place 1/2 cup honey and a few drops of mint extract in a small bowl.
     • Place a bowl over medium heat and bring the honey to a boil. Stir all the time.
     • Use a pastry thermometer to monitor the temperature. Remove the honey from the heat when the temperature reaches 300 degrees Fahrenheit (149 degrees C).
     • Take a teaspoon and pour the honey cakes onto oiled parchment paper. Wait a bit for your lozenges to harden, and then you can use them as a cough suppressant.
3. 3 Make a hot punch. Many people have been convinced by their own experience of the effectiveness of hot punch and cocktails prepared on the basis of cognac and lemon. This homemade cough medicine will clear your sinuses and improve your sleep during a cold. Mix the following ingredients and drink hot:
   • 30 ml brandy
   • 2 tablespoons honey
   • 1/4 lemon juice
   • 1/2 cup boiling water

Method 3 of 3: Preventing colds

1. 1 Wash your hands often. The best way to protect yourself from colds is to wash your hands frequently during the colder months, especially after visiting public places such as school, the bus, or the plane.
   • Remember to wash your hands before eating or before touching your face.
   • If you are unable to wash your hands with soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

1. 1 Monitor your health. You should have enough vitamins and nutrients in your diet to keep your immune system strong. Good nutrition and exercise will protect your body from viruses. If you suddenly become infected, your body can easily cope with any cold.

Tips

• Try not to touch your face. Many microbes enter the body through the eyes and mouth. By touching these parts of the face with our hands, we increase the likelihood of contracting an infection.
• Avoid dairy products when you have a cold. Dairy products contribute to the formation of mucus in the body.
• It is important to constantly blow your nose during a cold in order to clear the nasal passages, thus clearing the infection.