When we think of the word “natural”, we usually think of some rare plant or fruit. But, it should not be forgotten that natural cold remedies are also possible and are just as effective as conventional medications. The reason for this is that natural products don’t pose side effects like those found in conventional medicines. Some people might find it strange that you can get ill from drinking tea, apple cider vinegar, sage, eucalyptus and peppermint. Well, there is good news for you. A lot of home remedies for colds are available and they do not cost a fortune.
If you are wondering where to find such herbal cures, look no further. They are readily available on the internet, in health food stores and in bookstores as well. However, before you jump into anything, you must ensure that it is natural and safe. Before you venture out into experimentation with natural remedies, it would be ideal to understand what they are and how they work.
The most common cause of colds is the virus that makes us feel sick. This virus is known as the Epstein Barr virus or the Epstein-Barr syndrome. It is responsible for around 70 percent of all acute and chronic cases of acute lower respiratory infections. It does this by causing inflammation of the mucous membranes and organs that it infects.
These symptoms include fever, cough, chills, sore throat, headache, fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and swollen glands. These symptoms can make getting out of bed in the morning tough. Fortunately, there are several remedies that you can try at home. You can try some of these herbal remedies to see if they will help.
One remedy that is quite popular and has been used since ancient times is ginger. You can take advantage of the many benefits of ginger by infusing it in your warm water before getting into bed at night. Ginger gives you instant relief from cold symptoms. If you prefer a more sedative way of dealing with a cold, then you can drink ginger tea or take ginger capsules that you can buy over the counter.
Another herbal cold remedy is lavender. Lavender is one of the most common herbs used in natural cold remedies because it helps to soothe the throat as well as the other body parts which are affected by the cold. It is effective against both upper and lower respiratory infections and coughs and sore throats.
You can make a tea with ginger and honey to drink. This can be drunk two to three hours before going to bed. If you do not want to make a tea, then you can use the fresh grated ginger. Make sure that the ginger is not red and black though, because it will not taste very good.
Herbal cold remedies can also be taken in the form of teas. There are many herbal teas available in the market. Some are made with green tea, others with chamomile and still others with peppermint. You can choose one that blends well with your taste and your budget. Make sure that you eat lots of green leafy vegetables as these are rich in antioxidants.
Another way to remedy your cold is to use natural ginger extract. Ginger is good for your health as it reduces fever. Just boil it into a cup of water or milk and add honey to it. Drink this a few times a day and you will feel better in no time. Other remedies for a sinus cold include peppermint, licorice and capsaicin powder from chili peppers.
Cold sores, headache and sore throat can also be remedied using herbal medicines. Peppermint oil is good for headaches and cold sores. You can make a compress with it and apply to the affected area. Other herbal cold remedies include Echinacea and Goldenseal.
Apart from these remedies, you can also go for natural cold pills. These pills are made from a combination of natural ingredients like ginseng, white willow bark, burdock root and licorice roots. They work well to treat a sinus cold and other respiratory ailments. If you find these remedies to be effective, you should take at least one of these pills each day.