Every person suffers from a cold from time to time. Different regions of the body can be affected. These include the nose, sinuses, throat, lungs and ears.
Correspondingly, common symptoms are a cold, cough, hoarseness, a runny or blocked nose and earaches. General symptoms such as fever, headache, aching limbs and fatigue are also common. Not every cold needs to be treated with medication. Often, simple household remedies are sufficient.
These household remedies are used
- Onion
- Honey
- Different kinds of cold tea
- Garlic
- Steam inhalation
- Calf wrap
- Chicken soup
- Tea tree oil
Effect The onion is a simple and common household remedy for colds. It contains many different substances, including the so-called flavonoids. These have an anti-inflammatory effect and can thus protect against the various infectious agents that cause colds.
They relieve colds, coughs and earaches and are particularly effective for colds that occur in winter. Onions are often used as a tried and tested household remedy, especially for children. How do I use the household remedy?/What do I need to know?
There are different ways of using the onion, which vary depending on the symptoms. If earache occurs, an onion can be cut into pieces and wrapped in absorbent cotton. The whole thing is placed on the ears and held in place by a cap or hair band.
Also in case of sore throat, the onion can be wrapped around the neck in the form of slices in a cotton scarf. For coughs, a cough syrup with onions can also be made. For this, the onion should be finely diced and then mixed with honey and a little boiling water in a glass.
The whole thing should steep for a while to make a uniform mass. Other interesting articles:
- Home remedy for sore throat
- Home remedy for earache
Effect Honey is also a well-tried household remedy. It has various ingredients which are anti-inflammatory and have an antibacterial and anti-viral effect.
Thus honey can be used as a household remedy against many symptoms that occur with a cold. It is often used, for example, for coughs and is particularly effective for dry, irritable coughs. How do I use the household remedy?
The easiest way to use the household remedy is to dissolve a spoonful of honey in tea, which allows the effect to unfold well. In addition, different types of honey can be particularly good for different complaints. Clover honey, for example, helps to dissolve mucus and sage honey helps against sore throats.
Effect Potatoes can be used as a household remedy for colds. The reason for this is the potato’s ability to store heat particularly effectively and for a long time. Therefore, potatoes in the form of potato wraps are often used for colds.
How do I use the household remedy? It is mainly used for sore throats and inflammation of the bronchi. For this, a few potatoes can be boiled and then wrapped in a kitchen towel.
Then the potatoes are mashed and the compress is wrapped around the neck after the liquid has drained off. Here it provides sufficient heat for many hours. There are different kinds of teas that can help against colds.
These include herbal teas as well as specially blended teas for colds. They are available in supermarkets and drugstores. Effect The effect of the tea is based on the one hand on the heat and on the other hand on the supply of the liquid.
This allows germs in the throat area to be removed. Furthermore, the mucous membranes of the throat and pharynx are sufficiently moistened. This strengthens the immune system, since many substances are produced in the mucous membranes that serve to fight the pathogens that cause colds.
In addition, the blood circulation is stimulated, which additionally strengthens the immune system. Depending on the type of tea, different substances are contained which are effective against the common cold. The ready-to-drink cold teas sold in drugstores often contain substances such as marshmallow, liquorice root and aniseed, which are particularly effective against sore throats.
Furthermore, ginger tea, for example, is particularly good for swollen mucous membranes, pain and inflammatory processes. It also increases the flow of saliva and thus promotes further moistening of the mucous membranes. Sage tea is also used for sore throats and promotes blood circulation in the throat area.Effect As a well-tried household remedy, the eucalyptus plant has many effects that can help against the symptoms of a cold.
In the form of oils, eucalyptus can have an expectorant effect. It also has a cough-relieving effect and has a soothing effect on colds. The ingredients include cineol, alpha-pinene and limonene.
These have an expectorant effect, especially in the case of persistent mucus in the paranasal sinuses. Furthermore, eucalyptus has an anti-inflammatory effect. How do I use the household remedy?
It can be sucked in the form of sweets or taken as a capsule. Another form of application is inhalation of the oil. Effect Salt water rinsing is a simple and effective method of clearing the nose through a nasal shower.
It causes the swollen and irritated mucous membranes around the nose to subside. This allows the nose to be freed and the irritation and associated pain to subside. What do you need to consider?
Salt water rinsing should be avoided in case of excessive swelling of the nasal mucous membranes, as well as in case of nosebleeds. The reason for this is a possible additional irritation of the mucous membranes. If there is a strong accumulation of mucus, the prior application of a nasal spray can provide relief.
How do I use the household remedy? The saltwater rinse can be purchased as a ready-made solution in a pharmacy or drugstore. If you prepare the solution yourself, we recommend a composition of 9g common salt per liter of water.
For correct use, a device for nasal rinsing should be purchased. During use, care should be taken to ensure that the valve is closed. When applying to the nose, the head should be slightly folded back and the mouth open.
Then the valve can be opened again and the solution flows in through one nostril and out through the other nostril. In this regard, we also recommend the article: “Home remedy for a blocked nose” Effect Garlic is considered to be a medicinal plant in various diseases. The effect on colds is not yet fully explained, but is probably based on several ingredients of garlic.
These include vitamin C and various minerals, such as selenium. The sulphides contained in garlic also have an anti-inflammatory effect and combat the pathogens. How do I use the household remedy?
The application can take place in different forms. Garlic can be chewed and eaten raw as a peeled clove. Alternatively, the garlic clove can be peeled and poured over with hot water to make garlic tea.
How do I use the household remedy? The principle is quite simple, the hot air with the small particles of evaporating liquid cleans the respiratory tract and frees the sinuses. However, it is not recommended to inhale the remedy yourself using a saucepan.
This can easily lead to scalding and the vapor cannot be controlled so easily. This can cause irritation of the eyes and mouth, which increases the symptoms rather than alleviating them. Therefore, a steam inhaler should be purchased from a pharmacy.
To intensify the effect, a towel can also be placed over the head during inhalation. Effect Steam inhalations exist in various forms and are especially effective in dissolving mucus. Accordingly, they are mainly used for treating rhinitis and blocked sinuses.
Various substances are available for steam inhalation. The simplest variant is the inhalation of a saline solution, which can also be prepared independently in the concentration of 9g per liter of water. Camomile oil is particularly effective against bacteria and for colds.
Eucalyptus loosens and dissolves stubborn mucus. Caution should be taken with essential oils, as they can additionally irritate the respiratory tract. How do I use the household remedy?
A cold bath is a very simple and pleasant way to counteract a cold. It is important that the cold bath is only taken at the first signs, such as a scratchy throat and a tingling in the nose. In the case of a pronounced cold with cough, rhinitis and fever, the bath tends to be counterproductive as it strains the body.
At the right time, the amount of water and the temperature should also be taken into account. A three-quarter bath for a quarter of an hour at approx. 35°C is recommended.
Additional essential oils, such as thyme oil, can further enhance the effect. Effect Calf compresses are particularly helpful for colds, which are accompanied by fever and headaches and aching limbs. The principle of cold calf compresses is based on warming the body.When applying the cold compresses in the calf area, the sympathetic nervous system is first activated, as the body cools down.
This includes an activation of the circulation and a deepening of breathing. After a few minutes the calf compress is warmed by the body’s own temperature. Now the opponent of the sympathetic nervous system is activated.
The parasympathetic activation causes a stimulation of the blood circulation and calming of the body. The latter is also the reason why the calf compresses are often used in the evening. How do I use the household remedy?/What do I need to know?
It should be noted, however, that the calf compresses should not be applied when fingers and toes are cold, as they can then strain the circulation. If warm compresses are preferred, they should rather be applied directly on the neck or chest area in case of corresponding complaints. For optimal effect, calf compresses should consist of three layers: the inner cloth is best made of linen and should first be dipped in approx.
20°C cold water for adults. The middle cloth is for catching and absorbing liquid and should therefore be made of terry cloth, for example. The outer cloth has an insulating effect and thus keeps the temperature constant.
Effect Chili is a somewhat unusual but effective household remedy for colds. The reason for this is its pungency. The responsible ingredient is called capsaicin and is also found in cayenne pepper, for example.
The pungency triggered by capsaicin promotes the blood circulation in the mucous membranes. This leads to the activation of the immune system on the one hand and to the dissolution of mucus on the other. Accordingly, chili is especially recommended in cases of nasal and sinus congestion.
It can be added to various foods as a spice. Effect Chicken soup is an ancient and well-known household remedy that can be helpful for colds. The exact cause has not yet been clarified.
It is suspected that chicken soup has an anti-inflammatory effect. In addition, it could be that the various vitamins and minerals it contains strengthen the immune system positively. Finally, the supply of heat and liquid also has a beneficial effect.
How do I use the household remedy? There are various recipes for making a chicken soup. Making it yourself by cooking a chicken with soup vegetables makes it taste good.
Effect Tea tree oil contains various ingredients that can help relieve the symptoms of a cold. These include cineol and terpinene, among others. These substances have an anti-inflammatory effect and combat the pathogens that cause the common cold.
Thus tea tree oil can be used for coughs, hoarseness and local inflammatory reactions in the area of the throat and pharynx. How do I use the household remedy? Depending on the nature of the complaint, Tea Tree Oil can be used in different ways.
These include rinsing the throat together with warm water or inhaling in the case of a cold. Rubbing the affected areas can also be helpful. Related articles:
- Home remedy for sinusitis
- Home remedy for hoarseness
