These days, colds and flu symptoms are feared to be COVID 19 markers. Body aches, fever, chills, and nasal congestion are all coronavirus indicators but can also indicate a standard, run-of-the-mill cold.
Having a cold can be just as uncomfortable as any other illness, but luckily, there are plenty of home remedies that will ease your symptoms and nurse you back to health. Give it a few weeks, though – if you don’t see any improvement, make an appointment with your health practitioner.
The Medical Society is passionate about proper health and nutrition for both children and adults. The Medical Society covers you and your family for whatever unforeseen illnesses may come your way, offering affordable healthcare for adults. Starting from R89 a month, we cover our members for unlimited nurse-room visits, as well as dietary advice from professionals.
Vitamin C supplements and foods
Vitamin C is a longstanding home remedy for colds and flu. Supplements like Medlemon, Corenza C and Vitamin C capsules are a medical bag staple.
We get natural vitamin C in limes, oranges, grapefruits, leafy greens and lemons.
Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble nutrient. It acts as an antioxidant and helps to protect cells from the damage caused by free radicals.
Fresh lemon juice in a cup of tea may reduce phlegm. Hot or cold lemonade can help with that too. The drinks do not clear up your cold completely. They only provide vitamin C to your body’s immune system. It relieves upper respiratory tract infections and other conditions.
Garlic
The smell of garlic may put you off, but it contains an allicin compound, which may have antimicrobial properties. By adding garlic to your diet, in any form, you can reduce cold symptoms. It may even help you avoid getting sick in the first place.
Research is still in process to determine the potential cold-fighting benefits of garlic. This doesn’t mean that you must put a stop to adding garlic to your diet. It is not harmful. Many people have found that chewing garlic helps fight throat infections. It also cleans the tongue and clears out any bacteria in the mouth. Many suggest that you add it to a bowl of chicken soup. It will enhance the flavour and work well with the broth to get you back to health!
It may not be a cure-all, but a bowl of chicken soup with vegetables can slow the movement of neutrophils in your body.
Neutrophils are white blood cells that assist with protecting your body from infection. Slow movement allows them to concentrate on the areas of your body that need the most healing.
According to a Healthline study, chicken soup reduces the symptoms of upper respiratory infections. This type of soup is low in sodium with nutritional value and keeps you hydrated.
Ginger
It is a simple, old remedy. Raw ginger root slices in boiling water can soothe your cough or sore throat. It may even ward off nausea.
Honey
Research shows that honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. When you put honey in tea with lemon, it’s the perfect combination to ease a sore throat. Honey is also known to suppress coughing. Don’t give honey to a child younger than one year old, though. Honey contains botulinum spores. They are harmless to adults and older children but a hazard to an infant’s immune system.
A study found that giving children 10 grams of honey at night reduces cough symptoms. This results in better sleep quality and minimises cold symptoms.
Echinacea
For more than 400 years, people have used the herb and root of the Echinacea plant to treat infections. The ingredients include flavonoids – chemicals with therapeutic effects on your body. They can boost your immune system and bring down inflammation.
There have been mixed reviews of the herb’s effectiveness at fighting a cold. One study suggests that Echinacea may lower your risk of developing a cold by more than 50%. The review continues to mention that it may also reduce how long you have a cold.
As an adult, you can take one to two grams of Echinacea in your tea. It can be done three times a day, but no longer than a week.
Probiotics
Probiotics are already a part of your body – keeping your gut and immune system healthy. The ‘friendly’ bacteria and yeast are also found in some foods and supplements. Research indicates that probiotics reduce your chance of falling ill with an upper respiratory infection.
Yoghurt is a nutritious source of helpful bacteria. Eat as a healthy snack, which provides protein and calcium.
Do more research
Home remedies for colds are effective and affordable and easy to get your hands on. Some remedies may seem weird, but there are communities of people who believe in their effectiveness. There are loads of over the counter meds that you can chat about with your pharmacist.
Eat a balanced diet of loads of fruit, veggies and lean meat and remember to stay hydrated. Water is a key element in keeping the body’s functions at peak condition.
