Home Remedies for Head Colds
You have an itchy, scratchy throat, stuffed up sinuses and feel tired and generally “icky.” Most likely you have the common cold, which is caused by one of hundreds of common viruses. Our home remedies for head colds can shorten the duration of a cold, but it won’t knock it out completely. You’ll just have to let this tiresome virus run its course, but with the right home remedies this will happen in just a few days rather than a few weeks!
Practical Home Remedies for Head Colds
You have to be practical when you have a head cold; your body will fight off the virus as best as it can, but pushing yourself too much will make your body work overtime. Instead, rest and relax so that your body’s natural immune system can focus on the virus. Lots of rest, including naps during the day and relaxing on the sofa for a day or two, will help you fight your cold. You should also drink lots of liquids to loosen up nasal congestion and keep your throat moisturized. Although you may be tempted to sniff a lot, it’s best to blow your nose frequently. This actually flushed the virus out of our system; but be sure to wash your hands after disposing of those tissues so you don’t pass the virus on to someone else!
Hot packs over your sinuses are a nice, relaxing hot shower will also loosen up congestion and help you get rid of the mucous that clogs your sinuses during a head cold. Just be sure you get completely dry after your shower and wear warm clothing so that your body won’t have to fight to keep you warm while fighting the cold.
Kitchen and Bath Home Remedy for Head Colds
If your throat is irritated, try a soothing gargle of salt water. This will calm the scratchy feeling and lubricate the throat while clearing out any mucous from post-nasal drip. You can also make your own gargle by boiling about a tablespoon of raspberry leaves, then letting it cool to room temperature and adding a teaspoon of honey.
There are to supplements you can take to shorten the duration of cold. These common home remedies for head colds are vitamin C and zinc. You can take up to 500 mg. of vitamin C four times a day until your cold symptoms are gone, but cut back to the normal recommended dosage when you’re fully recovered. Zinc lozenges will soothe your throat and work with your immune system to help combat the common cold. If you don’t like the metallic taste of zinc, try one of the natural zinc lozenge formulas that contain honey.
You can mix several common home remedies for head colds right in your kitchen. Warm ginger tea is simple and effective and you can enjoy a cup up to three times a day. You could also try squeezing the juice of one whole lime into a cup of warm water, stirring in a teaspoon of honey, and sipping in the morning or afternoon.
Those reliable favorites garlic and onion help shorten both the duration and severity of colds, so keep them in mind for cold relief. Try crushing a clove of garlic and mixing the juice with the juice from a quarter of an onion, then dilute them in a bit of water and take up to four times daily. The many antioxidants will improve immune system function and help combat the virus.
A teaspoon of turmeric powder stirred into on ounce or two or warm milk is an effective home remedy for head colds that has been used for generations. This is safe and gently enough for children and will shorten the length of their misery by several days.
If your sore throat continues and gargling isn’t help, try coating the throat with honey to calm the nerve receptors. Just two teaspoonfuls will work for an adult, coating the throat, promoting salivation and providing powerful antioxidants. For children, be sure to adjust the dosage down to the appropriate amount ( ½ teaspoon is sufficient for children around four years of age) and don’t give honey to children younger than one year old.
And don’t forget the chicken soup! It turns out your grandmother was right. Chicken soup is full of essential nutrients and antioxidants for the immune system and is soothing to a sore throat. The aroma and steam also help loosen up congestion and even helps with the minor aches and pains of a cold. Home remedies for head colds owe a lot to our ancestors, who have been treating head colds successfully at home for generations.