6 Simple Home Remedies for Cold Relief

The cold might be common, but it sure is annoying as well. No one likes being stuffy and sniffling throughout the holiday season, but there are certain things you can do to ease the effects of a cold without incurring too much cost. Luckily, most home remedies for colds are easy and do not require any special ingredients, but they can make a big difference in soothing your symptoms and clearing it up much faster.

1. Trying to Get Rid of a Cough? Try Some Honey

Believe it or not, honey is a very powerful ingredient when it comes to battling colds. It is packed with antiviral, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties that can come in handy, and helps boost your immune system too. Honey is especially useful in fighting off coughs, and can also help in extinguishing any secondary bacterial infections that may tag along with the cold. Plus, the best part about honey is that you can add it to everyday food and beverages to get an extra immunity boost and knock out some of your symptoms. Add two tablespoons of honey to either warm, boiled water or green tea. Looking for an extra punch? Adding a bit of lemon can also provide some relief. You can add in a bit more honey if you want to your water or green tea, and sneak in an extra cup or two of tea for some extra relief.

2. Steam It Out

Another simple and easy way to get some quick cold relief? Steam! Breathing in steam can help decrease both nasal congestion and sinus pressure temporarily. While some people prefer to breathe in steam while taking a hot shower, there are alternatives as well. You could transform those ordinary showers into a spa-like experience with ESSIO - the world's first essential oil diffuser designed to be used in the shower. Or, simply fill a pot with boiling water, place a towel over your head and breathe it in. This can be done multiple times a day to ease symptoms as needed, without any risks. Another option to make it more effective include adding a few drops of essential oil such as eucalyptus, but this is not wholly necessary. If you are interested in adding some eucalyptus oil, 3-7 drops should suffice.

3. Up Your Garlic

Another unlikely superfood, garlic can actually be very effective in fighting off the cold as well...so don’t be afraid to eat more garlic when experiencing symptoms! One recommendation is to mince two cloves and let them sit for at least 15 minutes. This allows the active compounds in the garlic to develop, and be more effective. You can then mix it with olive oil, salt, and use it as a spread on food of your choice for a simple (and yummy) way to relieve some of your cold symptoms. How does it work? Allicin, one of the key components of garlic, has a lot of antioxidant and antifungal properties that work well in reducing symptoms.

4. Hot Cocoa

Perhaps a little unconventional, but hot cocoa is fast gaining popularity as a cold remedy. A recent United Kingdom study found that an ingredient in cocoa, theobromine, can be just as effective at suppressing coughs as popular medicines such as codeine. Scientists think this might be because theobromine acts on the vagus nerve (which is what is responsible for spurring coughs) but either way, hot cocoa is a yummy way to stave off a cold. Ideally, your cup of cocoa should be made with low-fat milk, and dark chocolate, aiming for at least 70%. This way, you get all of the antioxidant benefits, and the hot milk can help you sleep a lot better.

5. An Onion... In Your Socks?

If garlic is not your cup of tea, then this might be the unconventional cure for you. An often-quoted historical remedy, it lingers because there is some truth to it. Slicing an onion and putting it in your socks can help boost your immune response and fight off your cold. Allicin, also found in garlic, is full of antibacterial qualities, but it gets a special boost thanks to the presence of sulfur that is naturally present in onions.

6. Warm Salt Water Rinses and Gargling

Simple, fast, and most importantly, effective, a warm salt water rinse can do wonders for a cold. It is useful for easing nasal congestion, but can also help remove lingering virus particles and bacteria that might be causing further symptoms. WebMD provides a simple recipe: Mix ¼ teaspoon of salt with ¼ teaspoon baking soda into about 8 ounces of warm water. Generally, the recommendation is to use something like a nasal irrigation kit (basically, something that lets you squirt water into the nose). However, if you do not have those handy, no fear. Studies have found that even gargling with warm water and salt can relieve cold symptoms. All you need is a ½ teaspoon of salt with warm water, gargle for a few seconds and spit out. You can repeat as needed, and it is a quick way to find some relief from the cold.