8 Tips To Treat Colds The Natural Way

The common cold strikes again!  It is a pesky illness that doesn’t have a cure.  The good news is that you don’t have to suffer from it.  There are many over-the-counter medications that can help treat the symptoms you have. If you don’t want to take medications, there are many natural ways to help treat your cold. In this post you will read about 8 tips to treat colds the natural way.

1-  Blow Your Nose

Blowing your nose regularly when you have a cold is important.  It is important because blowing your nose gets rid of the mucus.  However, if you blow too hard you can give yourself an earache. The best way to blow your nose is to carefully cover one nostril and blow the other one softly.  

2 – Get Rest

When you first start feeling sick, it is important to get rest.  This will help save your energy so you can fight your immune system.  Battling a cold is a lot of work for your body. So the more energy it has the better.

3 – Gargle

Having a sore throat can be painful.  Gargling can help relieve the pain of a sore throat.  Taking a teaspoon of salt and dissolving it in warm water and then gargling it can help moisten a sore throat.  It is best to do this 4 times a day. You can also try to gargle with an astringent.  You can put one tablespoon of lemon juice and one teaspoon of honey in warm water.  Once the mixture is cooled down to room temperature you can gargle it.

4 –  Drink Hot Liquids

When you have a cold the membranes that line your nose and throat are inflamed.  Drinking warm liquids like tea or soup help soothe it.  It can also help with with nasal congestion and  prevent dehydration.

5 –  Steamy Shower

Taking a steamy shower will help you unwind and moisturize your nasal passages.

6 – Use Hot or Cold Packs For Your Congested Sinuses

Using either hot or cold compresses can bring you some comfort.  You can purchase reusable warm and cold packs from the store.  An alternative method is to place a washcloth under warm water or place a moist wash cloth in the freezer.

7 – Prop your head up

Propping your head up on a pillow will assist with the drainage of the nasal passages.

8 – Do Not Fly

Flying with cold can hurt your eardrums because of the pressure changes during takeoff and landing.  If you have to fly, ask your physician about using a decongestant and take a nasal spray before takeoff and landing. Chewing on gum and swallowing can also relieve the pressure on the ears.

These 8 tips can help you feel relief from your cold.  Remember if your symptoms get worse and it doesn’t seem like just a cold, visit your physician immediately.