A cold is burdensome and reduces the joy of life. However, to get rid of the disease, also known as a flu-like infection, quickly, you do not have to immediately resort to the “chemical club”, but can get relief with gentle home remedies.
What helps against the common cold?
A tasty chicken soup can help against inflammation and make a cold go away faster. Contrary to what is often thought, colds are not caused by too much cold or drafts, but because you are infected with certain viruses (sometimes bacteria in addition). However, hypothermia is one of those factors that can weaken the immune system, which can promote the development of an influenza infection. Other factors that can lead to a weakening of the body’s defenses include stress, lack of sleep, drug abuse or malnutrition. To prevent colds from occurring in the first place, it is advisable to lead a conscious lifestyle with sufficient sleep, little stress and a balanced diet. Regular consumption of health-promoting foods such as garlic, onions or ginger can also help to prevent a flu-like infection from the outset. If you do catch a cold, the symptoms of the infection can be varied and can manifest themselves, for example, as a cough, cold, sinusitis, sore throat, hoarseness, fever and aching limbs. In order to combat the symptoms quickly, one can, for example, resort to gentle home remedies. Often, one’s own kitchen already has valuable remedies for the common cold in the form of certain herbs and vegetable tubers. In addition, a few simple measures can help the body recover more quickly from a cold. In general, the following applies to a flu-like infection: get enough sleep, drink plenty of fluids, avoid restlessness and keep the body – especially the feet – warm. In addition, it is important: If the cold does not improve despite treatment with home remedies or alternative remedies, a doctor should be consulted!
Quick help
The various symptoms of a cold can be quickly and effectively combated with simple home remedies: a dry irritating cough, for example, can be relieved with herbal teas (e.g. with thyme, ivy or marshmallow). A cough with viscous mucus, on the other hand, can be relieved with freshly brewed onion tea, among other things. For a stuffy nose and headache, inhaling mint oil or taking a steam bath with chamomile can provide quick relief, while a sinus infection can benefit from nasal irrigation with salt. A full bath with essences that stimulate circulation (such as menthol, eucalyptus or spruce needle oil) is capable of relieving aching limbs and unclogging blocked airways – but do not take a full bath if you have a fever. Fever is generally considered a sensible reaction of the body and should not be suppressed immediately – however, if the body temperature rises above 39°C, one can try to lower it again, for example, with moist calf wraps or the intake of lime blossom tea. For sore throats and hoarseness, potato or quark compresses and gargling with chamomile or sage infusions can be used to combat the symptoms. For colds, freshly prepared chicken soup (not from a can!) also helps – in the meantime, it has even been scientifically proven that this tasty home remedy works against inflammation and makes it subside more quickly.
Alternative remedies
Other alternative remedies can also be used to relieve colds: Red light, for example, can be used to treat sore throats and sinusitis – but it is important to pay close attention to the associated application instructions and contraindications (e.g., on maximum exposure time and eye protection). Other alternative remedies that can be used to treat colds can be found in homeopathy, for example. Here, for example, the active ingredient Aconitum can be used for fever, which is particularly indicated when the patient is plagued by dry heat with chills, irritable cough and hoarseness. Belladonna, meanwhile, is useful for febrile conditions accompanied by sweating, pulsating pain, and clammy hands and feet. Both agents, as well as phytolacca and apis, can also help with sore throat. For runny or stuffy nose, the use of Allium cepa, Euphrasia, or Luffa operculata, respectively, and, in smaller patients, Sambucus nigra may be helpful.However, it is advisable to consult an expert before using homeopathic remedies.
