With a common cold, we can combat the annoying symptoms quickly and effectively with home remedies instead of resorting to chemicals. Here are the best tips!
The most important home remedy for colds: drink plenty!
Cough tea is the classic home remedy for the common cold. Sometimes it contains medicinal plants that loosen mucus and make it easier to cough up - such as aniseed, thyme or cowslip. Sometimes it contains herbs that soothe the cough, such as ivy, marshmallow or ribwort. Sufficient cough tea also helps to ensure that the patient drinks enough fluids. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to prevent the mucous membranes from drying out and increases the liquefaction of mucus in the airways.
Inhalation is a household remedy for colds
Inhalations with camomile and salt have also proven effective: they moisten the airways and make breathing and coughing easier: camomile has a disinfectant and anti-inflammatory effect, salt loosens the mucus. Alternative: Inhalation with essential oils. Eucalyptus, peppermint and thyme are particularly suitable home remedies for colds.
Wraps have been somewhat forgotten, but as a home remedy for colds they help due to their temperature and ingredients: curd and potato wraps are particularly effective for sore throats, coughs and hoarseness, vinegar wraps have a fever-reducing and disinfecting effect.
Colds: home remedies for the throat and pharynx
If the throat and pharynx are affected, gargle solutions come into play - for example with sage to combat inflammation. Cold baths with additives such as eucalyptus, mountain pine, spruce needle and silver fir provide warmth, clear the nose with their essential oils and relieve aching limbs. Please note: Do not stay in the bath for longer than twelve minutes at a maximum water temperature of 38 degrees. And do not use if you have a fever!
One of the best (and certainly the tastiest!) home remedies for colds is homemade chicken soup. The ingredients block inflammatory cells and the cysteine it contains reduces swelling of the mucous membranes.
But if, despite all the tried and tested home remedies for colds,you still get a fever that hasn't gone away after three days or your symptoms persist for a week, you should see a doctor.