Top 10 Home Remedies for the Common Cold

While there's no cure for the common cold, there are simple ways to prevent the symptoms that come with it. Before it gets worse, treat a cold with these 10 best home remedies.

1. Ginger tea

It proves to dry up a running and dripping nose and expels phlegm from the respiratory tract, reports Indian Times. Ginger is also known to speed up the recovery process. You may eat raw ginger or drink ginger tea several times a day.

2. Milk and turmeric

Besides ginger tea or masala chai, warm milk and turmeric mixture is a popular and effective way to fight a cough, according to Indian Times. This mixture can be consumed by children too. Simply boil milk and add one-half teaspoon of turmeric power and one-half tablespoon of ginger powder.

3. Lemon, cinnamon and honey

Prepare a syrup of lemon, honey and cinnamon to prevent a common cold. Put some honey in a pan, fill it to half and use a double boiler until it is thin. Then, add a pinch of cinnamon and add lemon. Have this syrup to fight a cold, according to Indian Times.

4. Garlic

Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties that can be very helpful in getting rid of cold symptoms, reports Top 10 Home Remedies. Garlic is good for the immune system and helps open up respiratory passages, and also helps flush toxins out of your body.

You may boil four to five chopped garlic cloves in a cup of water and add one teaspoon of honey. Drink it two to three times a day.

5. Chicken Soup

Chicken soup has many essential nutrients and vitamins that help treat common cold symptoms, reports Top 10. The high antioxidant properties in chicken soup speed up the healing process too.

For best results, make homemade chicken soup using organic vegetables and chicken.

6. Water

Drink lukewarm water to fight a common cold, cough and sore throat. Drinking warm water reduces the inflammation in the throat. The American Lung Association recommends drinking eight glasses of water every day to fight off the common cold, reports Everyday Healthy.

7. Pepper

According to Top 10, Pepper is one of the most readily available natural treatments for various symptoms of a common cold. The capsaicin present in pepper helps thin the mucus and provide relief from congestion. Simply put pepper on your food when you eat a meal. You can also gargle with a teaspoon of black pepper mixed in a glass of warm water.

8. Cinnamon

This helps the pain of a dry or a sore throat, according to Top 10. Just mix a tablespoon of powdered cinnamon and two cloves in a glass of boiling water. Allow it to simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain and drink it while it is still warm.

9. Honey and Brandy

Drink a teaspoon of brandy and honey to ease a cough. The brandy keeps you feeling warm while the honey fights off cold, reports Indian Times.

10. Spiced Tea

Simply add tulsi, ginger and black pepper while preparing your regular tea, suggests Indian Times.

Check the video below for another home remedy recipe: