Home remedies for common cold

The common cold is an infection of the upper respiratory tract which may be caused by any one of up to 200 strains of virus. These are spread either by inhaling droplets coughed or sneezed by others, or, more probably, by direct handto-hand contact with sufferers. When infection occurs, the walls of the respiratory tract swell and produce excess mucus, giving rise to the typical cold symptoms of stuffy or runny nose, throat discomfort, malaise, and occasional coughing. Colds can produce fevers of up to 102°F (39°C) in infants and children, but such fevers in adults indicate that the infection is probably influenza. The incubation period is from 1–3 days, after which symptoms occur, and most colds run their course in 3–10 days. Infants and elderly people are susceptible to complications such as sinusitis, ear inflammations, and pneumonia.

In conventional medicine, colds are treated with rest and fluids, in addition to antihistamines, decongestants, and cough medicines, as needed. Aspirin is recommended.

Symptoms
• sneezing and runny nose
• mild fever
• headache
• coughing and a burning or sore throat

T R E AT M E N T

Ayurveda

Brown 4 tablespoons of coriander seeds in a frying pan,

then boil with 4 cups of water, with 4 slices of root ginger.

Reduce to 2 cups of liquid, strain, and drink. 

Chinese Herbalism

Plantain seed, peppermint, mulberry, honeysuckle, and

skullcap may be prescribed to address weakness of the

Lung, Cold, and Wind.

Traditional Home and Folk Remedies

Barley water with lemon and honey will encourage

healing and shorten the duration of a cold. 

Cinnamon is an excellent warming herb, and can be

added to food and drinks, or as an oil to a vaporizer, to

treat and prevent colds and flu.

Fresh garlic, eaten daily, will discourage the onset of

a cold. Garlic will also work to reduce fever.

Honey, eaten fresh or added to herbal teas, will

encourage healing and prevent secondary infections

occurring.

Steep lemons in hot water, and a little honey; drink

regularly in the cold season, or during a cold, to restore

yourself and prevent infection. This will also treat coughs.

A mustard poultice on the chest or mustard added to a

foot bath will act as a decongestant.

Herbalism

Ginger promotes perspiration and helps soothe the throat.

The herb echinacea will encourage immune response,

and acts as a natural antibiotic. 

Peppermint helps to reduce the symptoms of a cold.

Ginseng powder, added to any warming herbal tea,

will boost the immune system and help the body to fight

the infection

Aromatherapy

Tea tree and lemon oils help to fight infection. Massage,

in a light carrier oil, into the chest and head, or place in

the bath or a burner. (See pages 148 and 140.)

Lavender oil in the bath will help you sleep, to aid

recovery—particularly good if there is a cough.

Eucalyptus oil can kill bacteria and soothe inflamed

mucous membranes. 

Homeopathy

Aconite, in the first stage of a cold.

Belladonna, for colds with a high temperature and

great thirst.

Mercurius, for colds that begin with a sore throat,

with swollen glands.

Gelsemium, for flu-like symptoms, weakness, and

achiness.

Allium, for streaming nose and eyes where the

discharge makes the nose red raw.

Pulsatilla, for runny nose with thick, yellow or green

mucus. 

Nat. mur., for colds with a crop of cold sores; sneezing

and watery eyes.

Dulcamara, when the nose is stuffed up with catarrh

in rainy or windy weather.

Bryonia, if you feel like a bear with a sore head. 

Vitamins and Minerals

Citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C, which will help the body

to fight infection. 

Zinc is known to reduce the duration of a cold; suck a

zinc lozenge at the first signs

Royal jelly acts as a tonic and an antiviral agent.

Both ginger and coriander are useful in treating colds.

To make a decoction, brown 4 tablespoons of coriander

seeds. Once the seeds are browned, add 4 cups of water and

bring to the boil. Add 4 slices of root ginger and reduce the

liquid to 2 cups and strain. Drink to reduce a fever