12 Ways To Treat A Common Cold

 

A common cold is one of the most common form of illness that affects people .There are several ways that have been tested and proved to be effective in treating a cold. Listed below are 11 common methods that are used in treating a common cold.

Have Plenty of fluids

Fluids help in thinning out the mucus which makes the flow of the mucus outside the body an easy process .Drink a lot of warm water to clear the blocked nostrils and sooth your sore throat. Fluids such as water help in preventing dehydration. Therefore, it is important to drink 10 or 12 glassed a day when you have a cold.

Get Enough Rest

When you have a common cold, it is not necessary that you take a day’s off from work or college .But, it is extremely important to get enough rest. When at home, relax yourself, watch television, have a good sleep and maybe read some books. If you are feeling really sick, skip your daily workout routine and relax yourself in bed.

Use Sesame Oil

The nasal passages when dry are the places where the cold viruses grow. Most doctors advise on using saline drops to keep the inside part of the nose moist. There have been several research work done and the people who use sesame oil have had greater improvement in the dryness of the nasal passage than those who use saline drops. Do not let the drops of oil get inside your nose directly, take some on your finger and rub it inside your nose.

Drink Tea

Having a cup of tea when suffering from a cold is known to give tremendous relief by loosening the passages of your nose .For centuries, this remedy for common colds has been tested and proved to be effective. It is recommended to have tea which contains spices and herbs that comprise of aromatic oils which posses antiviral properties ,Ginger tea is a good example. However, you can also use garlic, mint, thyme or mustard.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has been used effectively in treating a common cold as it helps to loose the nostrils and release the mucus which creates a blocked feeling in the nostrils. Chicken soup comprises of cysteines which are helpful in thinning out the mucus in the nostrils. The nutrients present in the chicken soup are easily absorbed by the body.

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It is better to consume the broth based soups compared to the creamy type of the chicken soup as the creamy ones add to the congestion. Include a lot vegetables in your chicken soup to make it power packed filled with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. If you are preparing the soups on your own, avoid using much salt as it leads to water retention.

Spicy foods

Spicy foods are effective in reducing congestion which is caused due to a common cold. When a person is suffering from a cold, the tasting ability is reduced. Therefore, spicy foods are excellent as they satisfy your taste buds as well as reducing the congestion. To treat the common cold, try to have some Indian or some Chinese stir fries as they are spicy foods. However, these kind of foods can cause excessive burning in your mouth if you are not accustomed to spicy foods.

Zinc

When consumed on the onset of a cold, It is effective in preventing or in reducing the intensity. Consume foods such as cashews, yogurt, milk, almonds, beans, oysters and crab which are high sources of zinc in order to find quick relief. Foods which are rich in zinc are best because by consuming more zinc that is required by the body can lead to many side-effects. The daily requirement of zinc is around 40 mg for an adult.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is effective in treating a common cold once acquired but is not found to be too helpful in preventing one. The daily recommendation of Vitamin C is around 90 mg for adults and around 60 -75 mg for children .A generous serving of fruits and vegetables in the form of salads at every meal is enough to meet your daily needs. The foods which are rich sources of Vitamin C are oranges, tomatoes, broccoli tomatoes, and grapefruit. Taking a Vitamin C supplement is good but it is recommended to consult your doctor before consuming it as very high doses are known to cause severe diarrhoea.

Steam inhalation

Place a bowl of steaming water on a table, and position your face over the bowl covering your head with a towel. Inhaling the steam will loosen the mucus that is responsible for causing the blockage in the nasal and chest. However, it is not advisable to allow children to use this method as they can burn themselves. Gargling Gargling with salt water is one of the most used home remedies for treating a sore throat which is caused by a cold. To perform this, take a glass of water and mix around half a teaspoon of salt in it and gargle.

Bioflavanoids

Bioflavanoids help in boosting the immune system thereby helping your body to fight colds effectively. They combine with the vitamin C which are present in the plants and work as an antioxidant. The sources of bioflavanoids are the white core which is found in citrus fruits , cherries, grapes and oranges. Quercetin , the form of bioflavanoids which are very concentrated are present in foods such as broccoli ,read onions and yellow onions etc.

Protein rich food

Protein is very important for the body as it helps the body to build tissue and also repair it. They also help the body to fight against several viral and bacterial infections. The anti bodies and the cells in the immune system depend on protein strongly. The deficiency of protein the diet causes fatigue, weak immune system and weakness. The sources of protein must be lean beef, chicken, eggs, fish .etc

Following these tips will surely help to bring relief to you if you are suffering from a common cold.

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