Ashu’s Curiosity
As winter approaches, Ashu’s mother is concerned about the family’s health. Every year Ashu and his sister catch a common cold as soon as the temperature goes down.
Her mother takes all necessary precautions to prevent everyone in the family and it also includes taking up some natural home remedies for cold and cough.
Common cold is a contagious disease, which means if one person in the family catches it then the whole family is at the risk of having the same health problem.
Ashu knows that at the end they are going to pay hefty consultation fees to doctors along with pharmacy bills. So, he wants to know about certain common cold remedies at home that are simple and effective.
He is again searching on Know Ur Diet, let us see what he finds:
What is Common Cold?
Common cold is a respiratory illness that is caused by the virus named Rhinovirus. The upper respiratory tract is most commonly affected including nose, throat and sinuses. Although it is not as serious, the common cold can create discomfort and disrupt daily life.
For many of us who hate summer due to high temperatures and sweating, winter is a preferable season. But winter is a season where the growth of pathogens in the atmosphere is accelerated due to lower temperatures and dry air.
Winter is a time when respiratory illnesses like common cold & flu are prevalent among the population. The reason is simple dry air allows pathogens to travel faster and infect more people.
Fun Facts about Common Cold Virus
Here are some fun facts or information about the viruses that are responsible for causing the common cold:
- As per studies, there are more than 200 different viruses that can cause the common cold.
- These viruses are put into the category of Rhinovirus, “Rhino” is named after the Greek word rhin which means “nose”.
- These cold-causing viruses can survive for at least 2 two days outside the human body.
Common Cold Symptoms
Symptoms of common cold can vary from person to person but these symptoms start to appear just 1 to 3 days after exposure to the virus. Here are some symptoms you might experience:
- Runny Nose
- Sore and irritation in the throat
- Cough
- Sneezing
- Mild Headache
- Fatigue
- Mild body aches
- Low-grade fever
Most of these symptoms can continue for at least 7 to 10 days. If you have a high fever and severe headache then you should consult with a doctor.
“Most cold viruses last seven to 10 days, so if it lasts longer than that, it could be a bacterial infection and require antibiotics.”
– Christine Kirlew, M.D., an internal medicine physician
Common Cold Prevention
There is no sure-shot prevention method for the common cold. But if you follow certain precautionary measures then you can reduce the chances of catching the common cold virus.
Hand Wash
A regular and frequent hand wash can greatly help because we can touch any surface infected with the virus. So, cleaning them prevents the illness.
Avoid Close Contacts
If someone in your family or office has common cold symptoms then maintain a distance from them because it is contagious.
Boost your Immunity
Another way to remain unaffected is to boost your immune system. Eat a balanced diet that is loaded with essential nutrients.
Drink Plenty of Water
Drink a lot of water because if your body is well hydrated then it will make your immune system stronger against pathogens.
Exercise Daily
Start with walking or jogging but make it a habit of daily exercise as it helps your immune system to remain intact.
These common cold prevention steps can only help when you remain away from crowded areas and maintain healthy dietary habits.
10 Common Cold Remedies at Home
As we have mentioned prevention measures do not guarantee that you will never have the common cold but you need to know some effective home remedies that can help you in curing the illness:
Ginger Tea
Ginger carries antioxidants that are effective against colds and coughs.
Also, ginger has anti-inflammatory properties that can help you to control fever and muscle inflammation.
You can opt for Ginger Tea by boiling a few slices of ginger in the water then add honey and lemon for faster relief.
Read about: Tea vs Coffee
Honey and Lemon
As we have mentioned above, lemon along with honey can give you instant relief from soaring throat and irritation.
Also, both are great for boosting immunity against the illness. You can add them to Ginger tea or take them by mixing 1 tablespoon of honey and a few drops of lemon in warm water.
Citrus Fruits (Vitamin C)
Similar to lemon, other citrus fruits like oranges, kiwis and grapes are also beneficial in relief against cold and cough.
The best thing about eating citrus fruits is that they are loaded with Vitamin C. They can strengthen your immune system and pacify the severity of the cold.
You can consume them as whole fruit or as a fresh juice form but avoid commercial juices.
Lavender oil
Lavender has a soothing effect against congestion and coughing. You can use lavender oil to clear your nasal passage and normal breathing.
Start by adding a few drops of lavender oil to a hot water bath and inhale deeply so that the effect reaches each part of your lungs. Continue for at least 5-10 minutes until you start feeling better.
Peppermint Tea
Peppermint is great for tackling the common cold symptoms due to the presence of methanol content. This compound is effective in breaking down coughs and thins the mucus in the nasal passage.
Prepare Peppermint tea by adding a few leaves of Peppermint in hot water and you can also put 1 tablespoon of honey in the tea.
Chicken Soup
If you are a non-vegetarian person or comfortable eating chicken then chicken soup is a great option to cure cold. Hot liquids are recommended to tackle illness because they can help with congestion.
Other ingredients of chicken soup like lemon juice, ginger and garlic are also beneficial in cold. Try to avoid mixing any artificial flavour or sweetener with it.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Unknown to most, Apple cider vinegar has been used for curing common cold since medieval. Due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties, you can rely on it for relief from colds and coughs.
To take Apple Cider Vinegar in cold, you just need to add 1-2 tablespoons of it in warm water and drink it. You can also use warm water and Apple Cider Vinegar for gargling to get away from the soaring throat.
Ajwain
Ajwain or carom seeds can help in common cold prevention as they carry antibacterial and antiviral properties. Also, it has anti-inflammatory properties that are good for controlling inflammations in the throat.
You can take Kadha prepared of Ajwain which also includes ginger and Tulsi leaves. Another way is to make Ajwain powder and consume it with honey. This will provide relief of throat irritation and coughing.
Pineapple Juice
You might have received suggestions of taking pineapple juice for cold and cough treatment. Bromelain, a compound present in Pineapple can relieve common cold symptoms.
Pineapple juice is a home remedy for colds because it thins mucus and removes congestion in the chest. Again, to increase the effectiveness of cold and cough treatment you can add 1 tablespoon of chopped ginger and honey in the juice.
Read about : Whole Fruit vs Fruit Juice
Turmeric Milk
Also called Golden Milk, due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties turmeric milk is the most preferred home remedy against cold. Secondly, if you add ginger to the milk, it will help you to get rid of respiratory infections.
You can add turmeric milk to your diet to strengthen your immune system. Remember that you drink warm turmeric milk, and avoid too hot or cold because they lack the stated benefits.
Conclusion
Ashu has received the required list of Common cold remedies at home that he can suggest to his mother for cold and cough treatment. All these remedies are simple and easy to prepare. Thanks to their antibacterial and antiviral properties, his family members can get instant relief from common cold symptoms.
The common cold is prevalent during the winter season and affects the respiratory areas like the chest, nose and sinus. Although the common cold is not so deadly, it can create discomfort in your normal life.
Although these home remedies are great for curing colds and flu, there are certain ways to common cold prevention such as drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly and staying away from those already suffering from the illness.
But at last, Ashu is also aware that if the symptoms prevail then you should seek consultation from a doctor or medical experts.
