Disease – home remedies for colds

Who doesn’t know them: Home remedies like chicken soup, honey, and Co. are often used for colds and flus to help the body fully recover as quickly as possible. It is not always clear whether these well-known remedies really help. Nevertheless, they are used by many, and let’s be honest: if the relief is noticeable, it is definitely worth a try.

Here are some of the most common home remedies used to treat colds:

chicken soup

Chicken soup is probably one of the most popular home remedies for colds and the like. A classic recipe includes chicken soup, soup vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and garlic, noodle soup, and spices and herbs such as parsley and thyme. Soup provides essential nutrients to help you get back on your feet quickly. Besides, their warmth is a real blessing.

tea

Like chicken soup, tea in the form of a hot liquid helps with colds by dilating blood vessels and stimulating blood circulation. If you need to soothe a sore throat and cough, plantain, altea and mallow will help, elderberry, linden blossom, ginger and chamomile have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Breathe in

Inhalation is also a popular way to combat sore throat and cough. It should moisten the irritated mucous membranes of the nose and bronchi and thus bring relief. The easiest way is to inhale pure hot steam. However, salt or herbs are also often added or inhaled directly with herbal tea or similar. However, especially at the beginning, we advise you to be careful because of the heat.

honey

This old home remedy is said to relieve coughs. If honey coats the irritated mucous membrane of the throat, many people find it helpful during illness. That’s why there are many over-the-counter honey-based cough drops. Also, honey is often added to hot tea, where it also serves as a sweetener. calf wrap

Calf wrap is also a famous cold remedy. It is often used for fever, but should not be used if the patient has cold feet or even chills. To wrap the calf, soak two cotton kitchen towels in warm water and wrap them as tightly as possible around each calf. After that, each wrap should be covered with a dry towel. According to the principle of evaporative cooling, it should slightly lower the body temperature in case of fever. The wrap can be changed after about ten to fifteen minutes.

onion syrup

Onions contain many valuable substances that are said to have a health-improving effect. They are good for the immune system, have an antibacterial effect and are good for digestion. Not surprisingly, onion syrup is also a popular home remedy for cold and flu symptoms. Here’s how it’s done: One or two small bulbs are peeled, diced, and placed in a sealable jar along with two tablespoons of sugar. The jar is closed, shaken and left to infuse. A juice is formed, from which adults can take one or two teaspoons three times a day.

cold bath

Especially when a cold starts, many people find baths useful. Even warmth can help with minor body aches and discomforts. However, if you have a fever, high blood pressure, or heart failure, a warm bath will put even more strain on your circulation. You can also add botanicals such as thyme, eucalyptus, or other essential oils to a cold bath. They can be purchased at drugstores or pharmacies. The bathing temperature should be from 35 to 36 degrees, but not higher than 38-40 degrees.

gargle

Gargling is also one of the most famous old home remedies. It is designed to relieve sore throats and urges to cough, as the mucous membranes in the throat area often become dry and tense during a cold. Salt water or warm sage or chamomile tea is usually used for gargling. Salt and chamomile are said to have disinfectant and anti-inflammatory properties.

food

Eating healthy is always a huge plus, not just when you have a cold. However, a varied and balanced diet provides the body with the most important nutrients to fight the viruses that cause colds and coughs. In general, it is important to drink plenty of fluids, at least two liters of water per day. The immune system also needs the vitamins and minerals found in carrots, broccoli, apples, etc. to be able to fight off colds effectively. Potatoes and cereals also contain substances important for health. The fiber found in plant-based foods promotes healthy digestion, thereby supporting bowel function, which in turn is critical to the proper functioning of the immune system. Foods such as garlic, onions, leeks and chives can also be very helpful: they contain sulfides that can inhibit the spread of pathogens.

Although many people swear by this or that home remedy, and its effect can alleviate the symptoms of the disease, it certainly cannot replace a visit to the doctor in case of persistent symptoms and illness.