Getting sick sucks! We do everything we can to avoid getting a cold, but somehow, it happens. Maybe it was that trip to the grocery store. Or the dreaded gas pump. Maybe it was that person at the gym coughing and sneezing all over the treadmill next to you. Maybe a coughing co-worker got a little too close. The handshake. The elevator. The plane. Germs are everywhere, so, it happens.
There are plenty of remedies for fighting a cold that you can try, which may ease your symptoms, and shorten the length of the cold.
At the very fist signs of a cold virus, I do everything I can to naturally shorten the duration and heal. Here are my go-to cold fighting remedies.
Remedies for Fighting a Cold
1. Drink lots of fluids
Drink plenty of fluids to flush that cold out! With a constant runny nose, sneezing and sweating, it’s easy to become dehydrated when sick. Make sure to replenish your body with plenty of fluids. It also helps to break up congestion to keep things flowing and keeps your throat moist. The best fluids when sick are obviously water and hot herbal tea (chamomile, mint, ginger, etc.). You want to avoid caffeine as much as possible, as well as alcohol and sugary beverages – they dehydrate the body.
2. Add lemon to your water or tea
Lemons are packed with vitamin C and they are antibacterial and antiviral. Add a squeeze of lemon to your water/tea throughout the day.
3. Eat garlic
Garlic is an antioxidant, immune boosting food with antibacterial and antiviral properties. For its full effect, it’s best to consume garlic raw, but if you can’t bear it’s potency, you can still reap the benefits by cooking slightly and adding it to a dish. You can even cut garlic cloves into small pieces and swallow them like pills.
4. Have some cinnamon
Cinnamon is a super-spice with antimicrobial properties which can inhibit the growth of infectious microbes in the body. It’s antioxidant-rich. Add a sprinkle to a hot beverage or on toast.
5. Have some honey
Besides soothing a sore throat, honey is also great for it’s antibacterial properties. Honey is nonperishable, so is one of those foods that can always be on hand in your cupboard. For a dual punch, combine a spoonful of honey with 1/4 spoonful of cinnamon. Eat plain or mix it in a cup of hot tea.
6. Diffuse Thieves essential oil
This is my go-to remedy at the very first sign of a cold. Young Living’s Theives oil is a blend of five essential oils that are all highly effective in supporting a healthy immune system: cinnamon bark, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, and rosemary. Diffuse Theives oil in your home to eliminate airborne bacteria.
7. Drink apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is effective in treating a cold, and the congestion and sore throat that go along with it. It works by alkalizing the body, helping to kill bacteria and viruses. Swallow a spoonful straight, and if that’s too much, add it to salad dressing or a glass of water.
8. Take a detox bath
This will be especially appealing when you’re in the midst of a cold and just want to be warm. A detox bath will help you sweat and eliminate the toxins from your body. Fill your bathtub with hot water (as hot as you can tolerate it) and add 2 cups epsom salt and 1 cup baking soda. If you have lavender oil on hand, add a couple of drops for a more relaxing experience.
9. Enjoy a bowl of chicken noodle soup
Yes, the age old remedy actually works. With anti-inflammatory properties, the broth of chicken noodle/chicken vegetable soup really does help us feel better while in the midst of a cold. Dr. Oz explains how on his blog, which you can read by clicking here. Check out my favorite Instant Pot Chicken Noddle Soup Recipe here.
10. Use a neti pot
A neti pot is used for flushing out your nasal passage with a saline solution of sterilized water and non-iodized salt. It washes away the build-up of mucus, allowing for easier breathing and healing.
I hope you feel better!