Natural Home remedies for cold that works

Cold remedies are almost as common as colds, but are they effective? Nothing can cure a cold, but there are some remedies that may help relieve your symptoms and keep you from feeling so unhappy. Here is an overview of some cold remedies and what we know about them.

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Cold remedies that work

If you catch a cold, you can expect to be sick for one to two weeks. It does not mean you have to be miserable. In addition to getting enough rest, these remedies may help you feel better:

Stay hydrated.

Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey help to relieve congestion and prevent dehydration Avoid alcohol, coffee and soft drinks containing caffeine, which can worsen dehydration.

Rest.

Your body needs to heal.

Soothe a sore throat.

A saltwater gargle - 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt dissolved in a glass of 8 ounces warm water - can temporarily relieve an itchy or irritated throat. Children under 6 are unlikely to gargle properly. You can also try ice chips, sore throat sprays, lozenges or hard candies. Do not give pills or hard candies to children under 3 to 4 years of age as they may choke.

Combat stuffiness.

Over-the-counter saline nasal drops and sprays can help relieve congestion and congestion. In infants, experts recommend putting several drops of saline in one nostril, then gently aspirate this nostril with a pear syringe. To do this, squeeze the ampoule, gently place the tip of the syringe into the nostril about 6 to 12 millimeters (1/4 to 1/2 inch) and slowly release the ampoule. Nasal saline sprays can be used in older children.

Relieve pain.

For children 6 months old or younger, give only acetaminophen. For children over 6 months, give acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Ask your child's health care professional what dose is appropriate for their age and weight. Adults may take acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or aspirin.

Use caution when giving aspirin to children or adolescents. Although aspirin use is approved in children over 3 years of age, children and adolescents who recover from chickenpox or flu-like symptoms should never take it. Indeed, aspirin has been linked to Reye's syndrome, a rare but potentially fatal condition, in these children.

Sip warm liquids.

A cold remedy used in many cultures, taking hot liquids, such as chicken soup, tea or hot apple juice, could be soothing and could relieve congestion by increasing the flow of mucus.

Add moisture to the air.

A vaporizer or cold mist humidifier can add moisture to your home, which can help relieve congestion. Change the water daily and clean the appliance according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not use steam, which has not been proven to help and can cause burns.

Try over-the-counter (OTC) cold and cough medications.

For adults and children over the age of 5, over-the-counter decongestants, antihistamines, and pain relievers may provide relief from symptoms. However, they will not prevent colds and will not shorten their duration, and most have side effects. Experts agree that it should not be given to the youngest. Abuse and abuse of these drugs can cause serious harm. Take the medications only as directed. Some cold remedies contain several ingredients, such as a decongestant and an analgesic. Read the labels of the cold medicines you take to make sure you do not take too much.

Cold remedies that don't work

The list of ineffective cold remedies is long. Some of the most common ones that do not work include:

Antibiotics.

These attack bacteria, but they are of no help against cold viruses. Avoid asking your doctor for antibiotics for a cold or using old antibiotics that you have on hand. You will not heal faster and the inappropriate use of antibiotics contributes to the serious and growing problem of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Over-the-counter cold and cough medications in young children.

Over-the-counter cold and cough medications can cause serious side effects and even death in children. The FDA warns against their use in children under 6 years.

Cold remedies with conflicting evidence

Despite ongoing studies, the scientific panel is still unaware of popular cold remedies, such as vitamin C and echinacea. Here is an update on some common alternative remedies:

Vitamin C.

It seems that, in most cases, taking vitamin C does not help the average person to prevent colds. However, taking vitamin C before the onset of cold symptoms can shorten the duration. Vitamin C may be beneficial for people at high risk of colds due to frequent exposures - for example, children who attend a group of daycares during the winter.

Echinacea.

The results of studies to determine if echinacea prevents or reduces colds are mixed. Some studies show no benefit. Others show some reduction in the severity and duration of cold symptoms when taken early in colds.

Different types of echinacea used in different studies may have contributed to the difference in results. Echinacea seems to be more effective if you take it when you notice cold symptoms and continue for seven to ten days. It seems to be safe for healthy adults, but it can interact with many medications. Check with your health care provider before taking echinacea or any other supplement.

Zinc.

There's been a lot of talk about taking zinc for the cold since a 1984 study showed that zinc supplements prevented people from getting sick. Since then, research has yielded mixed results for zinc and colds.

Some studies show that zinc lozenges or syrup reduce the duration of a common cold, especially within 24 hours of the first signs and symptoms of the common cold. Zinc also has potentially harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider before considering the use of zinc to prevent or reduce the duration of colds.

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