There is no specific cure for the common cold, partly because it is caused by many types of rhinovirus. However, you can use natural ways to reduce cold symptoms. The goal of natural treatments is for the immune system to do its job. To support the immune system, you can use vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other nutrients.
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Method 1 of 5: Using Herbal Medicine
Step 1. Check with a doctor
Before using herbal remedies, you should check with your doctor first. Herbal remedies can interfere with the effectiveness of certain medical medications, and some should be avoided before surgery. Check with your doctor whether the herbs you are going to use are safe for curing the common cold.
Step 2. Try garlic
Garlic has antibacterial and antiviral properties, and is believed to reduce the severity of colds because it can boost the immune system. Use garlic as a seasoning. Add a clove or two to the chicken soup. Make sure the garlic is cleaned and chopped, then let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to remove the allicin content in it.
Garlic should be used often when a new cold appears. While you can take supplements, fresh garlic is still the most effective
Step 3. Use echinacea
Echinacea is an herb that helps treat cold symptoms early on. This herb is also believed to reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of a cold. Brew 1-2 grams of dried echinacea root or put 15-23 drops of pure extract in warm water, and drink up to three times a day.
- If taken directly, you need 300 mg, three times a day.
- Side effects are very rare, but if they do exist, they are usually nausea and headaches, and allergic reactions.
Step 4. Consider using elderberry
Elderberry is an herb that helps boost the immune system. This herb is also antiviral. Soak 3-5 grams of dried elderberries in one cup of boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink three times a day.
Elderberry has been clinically tested to cure influenza and has been shown to be effective. The products tested were commercially available, including Sambucol and Nature's Way
Step 5. Use ginger
Ginger is a root plant that has antiviral and antibacterial properties. Ginger also helps reduce mucus production. You can add ginger to food and drinks, or use it as a supplement. However, make sure not to exceed 4 grams of ginger per day from all sources.
Ginger is safe for pregnant women and children, but pregnant women should not exceed 1 gram per day. Dosage for children varies. Ask your pediatrician to be sure
Step 6. Try sage
Sage is an herb to relieve sore throats. Sage can be brewed in drinks or included in cooking. Add 1 tsp. dried sage into one cup of water.
You can drink sage water or use it as a mouthwash for sore throats
Step 7. Use eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is an herb that is found in many cold remedies, such as lozenges, cough syrups, and rubbing balms. You can use eucalyptus as a liquid extract, dried leaves, or fresh leaves. Eucalyptus oil can also be applied topically to relieve nasal congestion, loosen phlegm, and relieve sinus problems. Dried leaves can also be brewed with water to drink.
Do not ingest eucalyptus oil unless recommended by your doctor. Excessive use of eucalyptus concentrate can cause poisoning
Step 8. Try min
Min and its main active ingredient, menthol, are great for curing colds. Min helps loosen phlegm and relieve throat irritation. This herb is contained in cold remedies and ointments, as well as in drinks. You can buy mint tea bags or use dried mint leaves to brew.
Min in essential oil form can be inhaled or used in steam treatments
Step 9. Use ginseng
Ginseng helps reduce the severity of cold symptoms and also prevents the pain that usually accompanies it. Do not exceed 400 mg per day.
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid ginseng.
- Ginseng interacts with many types of medications. So, talk to your doctor before using it.
Step 10. Drink herbal tea
Hot drinks can help thin mucus. Green tea contains antioxidants. You can also buy herbal teas with special formulas for curing colds. Take a look at the ingredients list and look for the herbs listed above.
Method 2 of 5: Trying Healing with Food
Step 1. Drink water
When you have a cold, make sure your body's fluid needs are met. Try to drink 9-13 glasses every day. For a sore throat, try drinking warm water.
- The amount of water needed varies depending on gender, age, height, weight, and other factors. However, the general guidelines above should suffice to ensure you are properly hydrated, especially when you are sick.
- Add honey to the water to help fight infection. In addition, try also adding lemon as a source of vitamin C.
Step 2. Use honey
Honey can reduce the chances of catching a cold. Consumption of honey also makes you feel better when you have a cold. Swallow a tablespoon of honey when sick.
Honey can also be added to tea, hot water, or food
Step 3. Eat nutritious food in small portions
Choose solid foods that are easy to digest in small, but frequent portions. This method provides a constant supply of energy that helps the immune system. Nutritious food is needed to help the immune system, not as a source of energy for activities.
Make sure you reduce activity. Even if your energy is increased due to nutritious food, you still need to rest
Step 4. Eat more protein
To boost immunity, add quality protein to your diet, such as skinless fish and poultry. Noodle soup and chicken can be chosen because they provide quality protein and other nutrients that help the immune system and function as antiviral agents.
- Also, add nutrient-rich ingredients to the soup, such as brown rice and vegetables. Chicken soup is believed to reduce mucus production and boost immunity.
- Eggs are also a great source of protein. Try the omelet. Eggs provide not only protein, but also iron which helps the immune system. In addition, eggs are easy to digest. Try adding spinach or mushrooms which contain essential nutrients. Add chopped chili peppers or powder to loosen and speed up the discharge of mucus.
Step 5. Eat antioxidant-rich foods
Antioxidants are believed to help the immune system. Examples of good sources of antioxidants are red chilies, oranges, berries, and green leafy vegetables.
Step 6. Take probiotics
There is some research showing that probiotics, also called good bacteria, help fight and prevent colds. In addition to treating intestinal infections, probiotics are also believed to help fight other infections. To get the benefits of probiotics, choose yogurt with an active culture of Lactobacillus.
You can also use probiotic supplements
Step 7. Use vitamin and mineral supplements
There are many vitamins and minerals to help the immune system, which can be taken directly in food or as supplements. Among them:
- Vitamin A and beta carotene, which are contained in carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes.
- B complex vitamins, such as riboflavin and vitamin B6, which boost immunity. Green leafy vegetables are also a great source of B vitamins.
- Vitamin E which is an antioxidant. An example is avocado.
- Vitamin C from foods, such as citrus fruits and orange juice, as well as tropical fruits such as papaya and pineapple.
- zinc. Limit your zinc intake to 15 or 25 mg per day. Do not use nasal sprays that contain zinc as they are associated with hearing loss.
- Selenium, which is an essential mineral. Limit intake to 100 mg per day.
Step 8. Rest
In the meantime, take a break from school or work. Take the time to rest at home without doing anything. Don't clean, work, exercise, or exert a lot of energy. Rest helps speed recovery, and by staying at home, you won't infect many people.
Method 3 of 5: Making a Natural Nose Spray
Step 1. Find a small 30–50 ml spray bottle
If you are going to use it for a baby or small child with a stuffy nose, also have a rubber syringe ready to remove mucus smoothly and efficiently.
Salt water spray can be used as often as needed, for adults, children and infants
Step 2. Choose salt
A brine can be made from sea salt or table salt. If you are allergic to iodine or don't know if you have an iodine allergy, use non-iodized salt.
Step 3. Bring the water to a boil
To make a solution, boil 250 ml of water until it boils. You can use tap water or distilled water. After boiling, let stand until warm.
Step 4. Add salt
Add tsp. salt into the water. Total tsp. salt will produce a salt solution that matches the amount of salt in the body.
- You may need to try a salt spray with a higher concentration than your body's content. To make it, add tsp. salt. This will help if your nose is severely blocked, there's a lot of mucus, and you're having trouble breathing or blowing your nose.
- Do not use high concentrations of saline on infants or children under 5 years of age.
Step 5. Finish making the solution
After adding the salt, mix well. Make sure the salt dissolves in the water. Then, pour it into a spray bottle.
If your nose hurts, add tsp. baking soda. It will reduce the sting in the nose
Step 6. Use
Insert the spray head into the nose. Then, spray the salt water once or twice into each nostril, as many times as needed.
For babies and young children, spray once or twice, and wait two to three minutes. Then, gently lift the head and use a rubber syringe to drain the nasal mucus
Step 7. Store the rest in the refrigerator
Put the remaining salt solution in a container with a lid, and store in the refrigerator. Warm it up before using it again. After two days, throw away any unused solution.
Step 8. Use a neti pot
This natural treatment is used to remove mucus in the same process as a salt water spray, called nasal irrigation.
- Neti pots can be purchased at pharmacies or drug stores.
- Make a solution of tsp. kosher salt and 1 cup water. After that, put it in a neti pot.
- Stand in front of the sink, tilt your head to one side, place the end of the neti pot into one nostril. Pour the solution into it and let it out again from the other nostril along with the mucus.
- Refill and repeat for the other nostril.
Method 4 of 5: Using Hydrotherapy
Step 1. Try taking a shower
Use warm water, then follow with cold water. You can also just use cold water. Bathing can reduce the duration and frequency of cold symptoms because cold water can increase the number of white blood cells that help fight colds. Start with warm water, then gradually use as cold water as you can hold, from your feet, hands, and working your way up.
- Make sure you also water your back. In addition, do not forget to flush the chest.
- Do not use water that is too cold for children or the elderly, or people who are weak due to illness, have heart disease, wear medical devices that stick to the body, are pregnant, have lung disease, or are very weak overall. Just use plain water.
- After that, wrap the body with as many towels as needed. Get into bed and stay under the covers until you are dry.
Step 2. Try wet sock hydrotherapy
This treatment aims to reduce fever and treat colds. You will need 100% wool and 100% cotton socks. Soak the socks in ice water. Then squeeze. Warm feet in warm water. Then dry. Feet should feel warm and red. After that, put on the wet cotton socks earlier. Cover with wool socks.
- After putting on your socks, get into bed. Wear it overnight.
- This approach usually begins to relieve nasal congestion within 30–60 minutes. You can do it twice every night if symptoms do not improve.
Step 3. Use steam
Steam can open the nasal passages, and help thin and expel mucus. The trick, boil water until it boils. Add a drop or two of echinacea, thyme, mint, oregano, ginger, or garlic essential oil. Start with one drop for every liter of water. After adding the oil or herbs, simmer another minute, then turn off the heat and remove the pan from the heat.
- Echinacea is believed to boost the immune system, contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties.
- Min is a natural decongestant.
- Thyme and oregano can boost the immune system and have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Both of these herbs also improve circulation by opening blood vessels.
- Ginger has antiviral properties and improves blood circulation.
- Garlic is also an antiviral and boosts immunity.
Method 5 of 5: Understanding the Cold
Step 1. Watch for symptoms
There are many symptoms that accompany the common cold. Among others are:
- Dry or irritated nose
- Itchy, sore, or irritated throat
- Snot that is green or yellow
- Nasal congestion and severe sneezing
- Headache or body aches
- Watery eyes
- Pressure on the face and ears due to clogged sinuses
- Reduced sense of smell and taste
- Cough or hoarseness
- Restless or easily annoyed
- Mild fever, usually in infants and toddlers
Step 2. Heal medically
Common medical advice given to people with colds is to get plenty of rest, drink plenty of water, and gargle with warm salt water. You can also use cough drops, throat sprays, or over-the-counter cold and pain relievers.
Step 3. Visit a doctor
Usually, colds do not need to be treated by a doctor. However, some symptoms are sometimes severe enough that you or your child need medical attention. See a doctor if:
- You have a fever higher than 38°C.
- Children aged six months and under have a fever. Call the doctor immediately, especially if the child's fever reaches 40°C.
- Symptoms last more than 10 days.
- Symptoms include severe or unusual symptoms, such as a severe headache, nausea or vomiting, or difficulty breathing.
