Cold and Flu Home Remedies

Honey

Honey is rich in antimicrobial and antibacterial properties which help to suppress coughs and relieve a sore throat. Taking syrup in lemon tea will aid in the efficient soothing of a sore throat. Honey is also useful in reducing the severity of cold symptoms. However, honey is too strong for the immune system of infants as it cannot fight off the botulinum spores which it has in plenty. It is not harmful to older children who it helps to fight off cough symptoms by taking around 10 grams before bedtime.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has many benefits for the body including increasing the immunity. Taking vitamin C helps to relieve cold symptoms, infections of the upper respiratory tract and other ailments. Vitamin C is found in fruits such as lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. Leafy greens and vegetables are other good sources of vitamin C. A mixture of fresh lemon juice, and hot tea with honey helps to reduce phlegm, the liquid the mucous membranes secrete due to inflammation. Cold or warm lemonade also helps. Even if these drinks fail to clear the cold entirely, they help in increasing Vitamin C necessary for coping with immune needs of the body in relieving illnesses.

Garlic

Garlic is one of the potent cold relieving herbs. It contains allicin a compound with antimicrobial properties meaning it can stop growth and kill microorganisms. Adding garlic supplement to your food helps to fight the severity of a cold and will even assist in preventing infections.A very effective garlic broth for a common cold is simple to prepare by simmering four minced garlic cloves in 4 cups of chicken broth from 10 to 15 minutes. Add much cayenne pepper to your taste and drink the mixture throughout the day.

Increasing humidity

Flu thrives in dry environments and spreads more easily. You reduce exposure to the flu causing virus by increasing humidity in your home. Increasing humidity helps to reduce nasal inflammation and relieves the breathing difficulties when you are sick. At night time, you can improve your comfort by temporarily including a mist humidifier in your bedroom. It is beneficial during winter when indoor heating is likely to aggravate cold symptoms. It has a similar effect to taking a long bath or spending some time in a steamy bathroom. You will furthest stimulate breathing by adding some few drops of eucalyptus oil.

Take a warm bath

Warm baths help to relieve symptoms of cold among children and adults. Giving a warm sponge bath to a child helps to reduce fever in children. If your body has some aches, you can reduce them by adding baking soda and Epsom salt to warm bathing water. Achieve father soothing effect by adding some drops of essential oil such as rosemary, tea tree, orange, thyme, eucalyptus or lavender.

Vapor Rub

Vapor rub is mentholated ointment which has a cold relieving capacity. It is especially effective for children over 2 years. You apply it to the chest, throat, and back to suppress cold. It also helps to eliminate aches or pains in joints or muscles.Vapor rub is fast falling into favor with many physicians who encourage its use instead of relying on the counter medicine which is likely to cause unpleasant effects to young children.One or twoapplications before bedtime helps in opening air passages helping to combat congestion, improve sleep and reduce coughing.

These are the most common ways of treating cold and flu with home remedies. People in various parts have different solutions.If your cold symptoms are above the neck, consider supplementing them with exercising to reduce sluggishness in the body. Exercises may even help to open the nasal passage and relieve congestion.