More people are infected with a cold than any other health problem. The CDC reports that the average adult contracts two or three colds every year. They can be very difficult to overcome.
The Cold Can’t Be Cured Yet – But We Can Treat it With Holistic Remedies
The common cold is one of the most resilient diseases ever. One of the biggest problems is that it is caused by a virus. Unlike bacteria and fungi-causing diseases, the common cold is caused by a virus which makes it difficult to find a cure. Even with more aggressive conditions like Alzheimer’s and diabetes, we have stem cell treatments from Stemaid. However, with the common cold, we can only ride it out and treat it as it comes. Luckily, there are simple home remedies that are very effective in helping you feel better. Here are some of them: Take zinc. Many people are wary of holistic medications, but there is some evidence to support them. One study found that taking zinc can help adults have an average of 0.5-1.4 fewer colds each year. Try garlic remedies Garlic is another ingredient that sounds like something from an Old Wives’ tale. However, there is research showing that it can reduce the severity and likelihood of a cold. One study found that an intervention group of people taking colds had 24 colds, while the same sized control group that didn’t take garlic had 64. Stay hydrated. Taking lots of fluids can help you loosen congestion and keep you from feeling dehydrated. Even though there aren’t any formal studies on the topic, it seems that fluids help with supporting the immune system. Some of the helpful fluids include.
- Lemon water (with or without honey)
- Water
- Juice
- Clear broth
You should stay away from caffeinated sodas, alcohol, and coffee. These can draw water into your kidney system and out of your body, making you even more dehydrated. Get lots of rest. As awful as a cold can make you feel, kids are often glad to be sick because it means they can get bed rest and skip school. Bedrest is one of the best things you can do when you get a cold because it gives your body the chance to heal. When you take the load off, your body can redirect your energy toward fighting off the virus and recharging your systems. Also, you should remember to stay warm, as cold temperatures can aggravate your cold. Use warm salt water to irrigate your nose. A stuffed nose is one of the most uncomfortable parts of getting a cold. You can’t speak or breathe properly. However, you can treat this condition with a simple remedy. The things you’ll need are:
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 8 ounces of warm water
- A bulb syringe or nasal irrigation kit
Mix them and fill the irrigation kit with the solution. Next, hold one nostril closed using your finger and squirt the salt mixture into the other. You should let it drip out and repeat about two to three times, and your stuffy nose will clear right up! Gargle. A 2005 study showed gargling can be very effective. While you have salt and warm water with you, you should also gargle some. Gargling can moisten your throat and give you temporary relief from soreness. You should repeat it often throughout the day (about four times daily). Remember not to add the baking soda to the mix when you gargle; salt and warm water only. If gargling tickles your throat, you can try using tea that contains tannin, instead of warm water. You can also try a mix of honey and apple cider vinegar. Dab some salve under your nose. Besides irrigating with warm salt water, you can also use salve to clear a stuffy nose. Apply a small dab of mentholated salve on the skin under your nose. That way, you’re constantly inhaling the balm. The menthol, eucalyptus, and camphor in the salve also have numbing effects, and they can help soothe the pain you’re bound to get from rubbing your nose. However, remember to only apply the salve to the skin on the outside of your nose, not inside.
Make Holistic Treatments a Core Part of Your Cold Treatment
The common cold can be very agonizing. It is one of the ailments that we have been unable to cure with the miracles of modern medicine. The good news is that there are a lot of treatments to make it more bearable.