The cold season is in full swing. Why this is so and what you should have at home now, you will learn here. Be prepared against coughs, colds and hoarseness with our 18 best home remedies against colds.
First the throat hurts, then the nose closes up, and if headaches and aching limbs haven't wrecked us yet, finally an agonizing cough announces itself.
A cold like this is no walk in the park. The voice says goodbye.
Men become boys again. Entire mountain ranges are created from handkerchiefs.
Table of contents
Where and how you catch a cold
Oh yes, I was sure that this time the cup will pass me by. Bad news for me: He did not go! Because the lousy weather is not to blame.
While inside we lull ourselves to safety, dries the heating our Mucous membranes off.
Due to the lack of exercise in the fresh air, at the same time our strong Immune system. The natural protective wall is crumbling. Viruses can gain entry unchallenged.
Normally, viruses can't harm us. But when our immune system is weakened, we are vulnerable. And the beasts lurk everywhere. On the bus, on palms, in the office, on doorknobs. There they can survive stubbornly for hours.
Viruses also buzz around in the air. This happens when someone sneezes or coughs. Then droplets with up to 900 km/h leak. Additional stress promotes susceptibility to a cold.
Ideally, you won't have to think about home remedies in the first place. A strong immune system keeps viruses and bacteria away and makes them harmless. You can prevent it by taking care of your immune system. Healthy diet, lots of outdoor exercise will please your body.
The most important vitamins for the immune system are vitamin C, B12, D3, K2. Together they are not only a good booster against colds, but also against fatigue and when you feel groggy.
Gotcha!
Adults catch a cold two to four times a year. Depending on the gender, a cold turns out to be different in severity ;) The so-called "flu-like infections" usually last up to 9 days.
I have used my time off and tested all the natural remedies for you in peace. Here are my favorites of the most effective home remedies against colds.
The best home remedies for sore throat
The throat hurts and itches? These remedies put an end to it!
Sage as an all-rounder for colds
Colds usually begin with a sore throat. Sage is a particularly good home remedy for the first signs of a cold. Surely you know sage pastilles to suck.
The leaves can also be infused as tea. Make sure that you do not let it brew for more than 5 minutes.
Sage otherwise quickly tastes bitter. Those who are tough can use the Leaves also directly chew. They strengthen the immune system and act disinfecting. If the tea is too bitter, you can help with honey.
From sage, by the way, can be make delicious cold candies. Very simple and straightforward!
Vinegar as a versatile home remedy for colds
Another remedy for sore throat is vinegar. Vinegar acts antibacterial and can be used in a variety of ways.
It gives me little pleasure but Gargle is super effective. It cleanses the mucous membrane of the throat, so inflammation in the throat goes away faster. Mix 2 tsp of vinegar in 1 glass of lukewarm water. You should gargle with it every 2 hours.
Additionally you can use cold Neck wrap make. Put a linen cloth in cold water and drizzle a little vinegar over it. Then wring it out thoroughly and put it around your neck. Always make sure that it is comfortable for you.
To prevent the water from running down my back, I wrap a thick scarf around my neck. The temperature of the wraps ensures that the swelling in the throat goes down. For the same reason, if you have very severe swallowing problems, you should also prefer to drink something cooler.
Ginger against the burning in the throat
When the discomfort gets worse, ginger helps me even better. The tuber has enzymes that anti-inflammatory and analgesic have an effect. The fastest way to get them into the organism is to chew a piece of ginger.
For this purpose, a thin slice should be cut from the root. Do not take so much! As soon as you bite on it, it becomes damn sharp. Only after the sharpness occurs, you can swallow the piece or spit out in case of need.
Have you already once heard of DIY ginger shots? It contains ginger, lemon, orange and turmeric. The shot is considered a real secret weapon for cold symptoms.
Brush tongue against colds
Another home remedy for sore throat is brushing the tongue. The procedure is enough once a day. All you need is a toothbrush.
Self-explanatory that you do not use them afterwards ;) Massages one minute your Top of the tongue. A drop of vinegar can also have a supporting effect here. Brushing removes pathogens from the tongue.
Baked apples - for cold foodies
It also goes delicious: Warm baked apples also help to relieve sore throats. The pectins of the apple have an anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effect. Honey also has a antibacterial Effect. So, bon appétit!
You are still missing the inspiration? Here you come to the article: "These are the 11 very best baked apple recipes".
What you can do against the common cold
Inhalation as a remedy
Inhalation moistens the respiratory tract. Here you can resort to anything: thyme, chamomile, Tea tree oil* or sea salt. I find chamomile the most pleasant. It has an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces the Irritation of the cough.
To do this, I take 2 tablespoons of chamomile flowers and pour a liter of boiling water over them. Then I let the whole thing cool for a few minutes.
When inhaling, it is always important to make sure that the water is not too hot. Once the temperature is bearable, place a large towel over your head and the bowl. 8 - 10 minutes will do. After that, you should definitely not go out and rest.
Better and safer than holding your head over a pot of hot water is a Inhaler with built-in nasal irrigation*. Not only can you use it to treat blocked noses, but you can also do something for your body when sneezing and coughing. The inhaler cleanses the airways, decongests the mucous membranes and helps the cold to heal.
You are much more flexible than with a simple nasal douche and safer than with a pot full of hot water. The device is also suitable for children and has different attachments. It's best to read the more than 850 reviews for the Inhaler with built-in nasal irrigation* on Amazon. They are all very positive. Incidentally, the device is currently on offer!
With sea salt against cold
Nasal rinses are disgusting - but effective. You should definitely rinse twice a day with sea salt your Rinse nose. This is better than using nasal sprays from the pharmacy.
It not only helps to keep the mucous membranes moist. By rinsing, you also remove viruses and everything that does not belong there. It is important that you do not use normal table salt. This is chemically processed to avoid lumps in the shaker.
From the big toe to the tip of the nose: increase blood flow
When the feet have better blood circulation, it also improves the blood flow to the mucous membranes of the nose and throat.
For example, you can make foot baths with thyme. In this case, 8 teaspoons of thyme are infused with a liter of boiling water. Allow to infuse for 10 minutes. The Footbath you start at a temperature of 33 degrees. Gradually add hot water. The tolerance limit should only be reached, not exceeded! Then put on thick socks and rest.
Onion in the socks
If your nose is stuffed anyway, you can have onions in your socks. :) Halve a large onion and spread it in your socks.
I personally do not recommend running with it. It is best to postpone this stinky business to the night. By the way, why this home remedy works against colds, no one really knows. The onion has a antibiotic effect and contains a lot of vitamin C. How does that get from the big toe to the nose? No idea. But helps!
Coconut oil for the battered nose
After a few days, not only your cold, but also the area between your nose and mouth will disappear into thin air. To quickly reconcile the skin helps a fingertip with Coconut oil* immensely.
What helps against cough
Naturalness as a home remedy for colds
Forget about conventional cough syrup! Take 3 to 5 tsp buckwheat honey before meals. Honey soothes the throat and also tastes super delicious :)
With garlic against the viruses
If you don't like it quite so sweet, eat significantly more garlic. The fresh cloves inhibit inflammation. So you can reduce the coughing and the mucus formation. And honestly: Probably no one wants your company at the moment, then you can also eat garlic :D
Home remedy for the fearless: onion syrup!
For this you need to dice an onion, add sugar and boil with water. The juice is best left to infuse overnight. Then you can take the syrup by the spoonful. The essential oils of the onion loosen the cough. The vitamin C additionally ensures the strengthening of the immune system.
A Onion syrup is prepared in a jiffy - my granny swears by this home remedy!
And last but not least some general survival tips
Herbal baths against aching limbs
If you have aching limbs, you can treat yourself to a bath to ease the pain a little. Make sure that it is not too hot.
Your circulation should not be unnecessarily stressed. Also, if you have a fever or high temperature, it is better not to take a bath.
Drinking as a home remedy for colds
Drinking is now more important than eating. We should listen to the body here, because it always tells us what it needs.
Digesting food requires a lot of energy. For this reason, it tends to demand liquids. This moisturizes the mucous membranes and Irritations relieved. It also reduces headaches and malaise.
The best of its kind: elderflower tea!
It leaves us quite sweat, and thus helps to remove the pathogens.
If you refine it with honey and ginger, it strengthens your immune system and has the following effects anti-inflammatory. For me a super home remedy for colds!
Shift down a gear and relax
I think bed rest is terrible. That's why my body and I have a compromise: as long as it's comfortable, I lie down.
Otherwise, I move slowly and leisurely, give myself breaks and refrain from sports. Take care of your body as much as possible and as long as the cold lasts.
Cold season is soup season
However, to keep your strength up, you should eat soups. The classic chicken soup helps great. But if you can't get them down any more than I can, you have plenty of alternatives.
I like to eat a light soup with coconut milk, vegetables and chili. But also otherwise you can prepare fresh vegetables for soups.
You kill several birds with one stone: You provide your body with Liquid, the food does not burden the energy budget and the fresh vegetables are a super Vitamin supplier.
Here you come to the contribution "6 Reasons Why You Should Eat Soup Every Day".
Fresh air for the mucous membranes
We have already established that heated air is poison. So that the air does not become dry, you can use moist Towels put over the radiators.
Otherwise, a small bowl of water that you put on the heater will do. If you like, you can also add a drop of essential oils. Once an hour should also be for 5 minutes aired be. This way your mucous membranes will stay moist.
My conclusion
Surprisingly few home remedies are enough to effectively fight colds, coughs, sniffles and hoarseness. According to studies, colds strike us 200-300 times in a lifetime.
You don't always have to resort to medication right away. Nature also has a lot to offer. So I am armed against any future cold! I hope you are now too!
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