There is no absolute cure for the common cold, but there are things you can do to temporarily relieve some cold symptoms, such as a sore throat or stuffy nose. A glass of alcohol can make you feel better, but you have to remember that taking too much (as with any other drug) can have the opposite effect and make you feel worse. Read this article to find out how mixing some hot drinks can help soothe a sore throat and clear a stuffy nose.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Find Out How Alcohol Can Help
Step 1. Drink a glass of alcohol mixed with honey or lemon to soothe a sore throat
Honey and lemon are antibacterial. The lemon will remove the mucus, while the honey will help moisten the sore throat and make it feel better. You can also drink:
- Hot toddy, which consists of a mixture of liquor, water, honey, herbs, and spices.
- Hot tea mixed with a glass of whiskey or brandy.
- For more ideas, click here.
Step 2. You can relieve a stuffy nose by drinking hot alcoholic beverages
The steam will dilate the blood vessels in the nose, thereby helping to expel mucus. The best drink to help relieve a stuffy nose is hot toddy tea. The tea in this drink will help you fight the flu because the tea contains antioxidants.
Step 3. Try drinking a glass of alcohol to help you fall asleep
Getting plenty of rest is very important to fight off the flu and help you recover so that you can get back to normal. When you are sick, you should try to rest for 8-10 hours for your body to recover. Unfortunately, sometimes we find it difficult to fall asleep when we are sick. This is where the role of warm drinks, such as hot toddy, will come into play.
Studies show that the quality of sleep caused by drinking alcohol will not be as good as the quality of regular sleep, because alcohol is more likely to wake you up at night
Step 4. Don't drink too much alcohol as a preventative measure
Many studies show that, although the flu cannot be cured with alcohol, consuming alcohol in moderation can increase the body's resistance to flu attacks. One study said that drinking 8-14 glasses of red wine a week reduced the chance of catching a cold by 60%.
Method 2 of 4: Mixing Drinks That Can Cure the Flu
Step 1. Relax with a hot toddy
Pour 30 milliliters of whiskey and 1-2 tablespoons of honey into a cup, then squeeze the juice from 3 lemon wedges. Add 240 milliliters of boiling water and stir. Put 8 to 10 cloves in the lemon wedge and into the cup.
Hot toddy is great for putting you to sleep. This drink can help relieve a stuffy nose by dilating blood vessels. Don't drink too much or you will get dehydrated which will make your cold worse
Step 2. Make hot toddy tea
Bring 240 milliliters of water to a boil and add teaspoon of ground ginger, 3 whole cloves, 1 cinnamon stick, and 2 bags of green or orange tea. Simmer for 5 minutes then remove the tea bag. Reheat this drink in the oven for 1 minute. After that, add 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Finally, pour 30-60 milliliters of whiskey. Stir everything with a spoon and drink while hot.
Step 3. Make rum-berry tea
Brew some herbal berry tea with 180 milliliters of boiling water for 2-3 minutes. Remove the tea bag and add 45 milliliters of white rum, tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey. Stir all the ingredients and garnish the drink with a twisted lemon zest (or some grated lemon zest).
Step 4. Mix the honey-ginger-lemon tonic with a little whiskey
Peel the ginger root 2.54 centimeters long and cut into small pieces. Add these pieces to 240 milliliters of water along with the juice of half a lemon and 1 teaspoon of honey. Bring this mixture to a boil in a small skillet and then pour it into a cup through a sieve. Add 30 milliliters of whiskey and mix. Drink this tonic while it's hot.
Step 5. Make cough syrup from bourbon
Pour 60 milliliters of bourbon and a squeeze of half a lemon (about 60 milliliters) into a cup. If you want a less strong drink, add 60-120 milliliters of water. Put the cup in the oven and heat it for 45 seconds. After that, add 1 tablespoon of honey and stir, then heat again for 45 seconds. Drink cough syrup while it's still hot.
Never drink more than one serving of bourbon cough syrup, as this will irritate your throat and nose and make the blockage worse
Method 3 of 4: Knowing the Risks
Step 1. Drink in moderation
All of these mixtures cannot be a substitute for actual medication or time off. Drinking too much alcohol will not only lead to liver damage, but also worsen flu symptoms such as stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough. These drinks are only good to make and drink occasionally.
Step 2. Be careful, alcohol can weaken the immune system in the human body
Studies show that drinking too much alcohol will weaken the human immune system, making humans more susceptible to disease. When you have fallen ill, your immune system is weaker than usual; this means that drinking alcohol when you are sick may make it harder for your body to recover.
Step 3. You should know that alcohol can dehydrate you
When you are sick, you must meet your body's fluid needs by drinking plenty of fluids; this will help relieve sore throat and nasal congestion. Certain types of fluids, such as alcohol and caffeine, can actually dehydrate you, making your symptoms of stuffy nose, sore throat, and coughing worse.
Step 4. You must know the risks of taking cold medicine with alcohol
Some drugs contain ingredients that react strongly and negatively when mixed with alcohol. If you are on medication (including taking prescription and non-flu-related medications), make sure you read the warning labels. Most drugs cannot be mixed with alcohol. Taking the drug at the same time as alcohol will cause some of the following reactions and problems:
- Immediate reactions such as: dizziness, drowsiness, fainting, nausea, and vomiting.
- Long-term problems such as: heart problems, internal bleeding, liver damage, and breathing problems.
Step 5. Find out which drugs can cause negative reactions when mixed with alcohol
Most cold remedies contain ingredients that should not be mixed with alcohol, and here is a list:
- Allergy, cold, and flu medication
- Cough medicine
- Pain relievers in muscles and fever medicine
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB)
Step 6. Watch out for allergic reactions caused by drinking alcohol
Sometimes, this kind of allergy can make flu symptoms worse. Common allergic reactions include nasal swelling and blockage that gets worse. Certain alcoholic beverages, such as red wine, contain high levels of histamine, which can cause mucus to build up, making stuffy noses and colds feel much worse.
If you are allergic to wheat, rye, and barley, you should stay away from alcoholic drinks made from these ingredients. For example: beer, bourbon, gin, whiskey and vodka
Method 4 of 4: Taking Care of Yourself
Step 1. Get enough rest
The body is working hard to fight the virus and recover from it, so avoid exercising. Exercise will drain energy from the body (even though your body has very little energy) so that the flu will heal longer. Therefore, try to sleep for 8-10 hours.
Step 2. Let the sun and fresh air into the room
Open the curtains and windows just a little. The sun's rays will kill any bacteria, and the fresh air will repel mold and germs.
Step 3. Drink plenty of fluids but stay away from caffeine or alcohol for a while
While some hot alcoholic drinks can help relieve some cold symptoms, consuming too much of them can actually make your condition worse. Coffee, black tea, and alcohol dehydrate the body and make the throat feel much drier. Choose the following fluids to drink:
- Water
- Teas that do not contain caffeine, such as herbal teas and berry teas
- Fruit juice
- chicken soup
Step 4. Take regular medicines that can be obtained over the counter at the nearest pharmacy
Make sure you don't drink it with alcohol. Medications such as cough syrup, pain relievers/pain relievers, and nasal decongestants can help relieve more bothersome cold symptoms.
Step 5. Use rubbing alcohol to clean and disinfect anything you touch
At the end of the day, spray everything you touch frequently, such as doorknobs, light switches, computers, and cell phones, then wipe them clean with paper towels. You can also use over-the-counter alcohol or vodka.
Tips
- Drink lots of water. Water will maintain the availability of body fluids and reduce the risk of hangovers the next day after drinking alcohol.
- Also consider doing other treatments that can be done at home, such as getting enough rest and drinking chicken soup.
Warning
- Make sure you read all warning labels on any medications you take before consuming alcohol. Mixing drugs with alcohol can have serious consequences.
- Do not use alcohol to treat children, people with weak immune systems, or people who don't want to drink alcohol.
- Alcohol can dehydrate you, which can worsen flu symptoms such as stuffy nose and sore throat. Make sure you drink plenty of water to prevent this from happening.
- While alcohol can relieve some cold symptoms, drinking too much of it will make them worse.
- Drink in moderation. Alcohol is not a substitute for drugs or actual medical treatment.
