Fighting the cold with home remedies

With the temperature falling below the freezing point, the winter this year has been termed as the coldest in eight years. The cold breeze during the evening adds to the winter woes. Every year around this time, people are more vulnerable to catching cold. And with the mercury level dipping more this year, it’s wise to stay warmer and safer from cold viruses.



The Week brings you some simple home remedies that can keep you away from common cold, cough, and flu. These home remedies can help strengthen your body’s immune system and keep the winter viruses at bay.[break]



Garlic

Garlic is said to help boost the immune system and keep you from getting cold. Taking 1-2 cloves of garlic everyday even though you don’t have any symptoms of common cold, cough or flu helps the body’s disease-fighting power.



Chewing garlic can result in bad breath for many hours; so while consuming garlic, you have to be careful with the method. You can cut the cloves in small pieces, which also activates the allicin in garlic that helps combat the cold virus. The chopped pieces can be used alongside breakfast dishes, or you can also make yourself a cup of garlic tea.



More hot fluids

If you’re suffering from common cold, cough or flu, you’re losing moisture every time you sneeze or blow your nose. So it’s necessary that you stay more hydrated during such times. Hot drinks such as tea, fruit drinks or soups can be a good help to keep yourself away from cold diseases. Even plain hot water can be of much help. Hot fluids are also said to soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line the nose and throat. Avoid coffee, tea with caffeine and alcohols, as these liquids may cause dehydration.



Honey

Honey is known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that help fight infections from viruses, bacteria, and fungi. To ward off the cold viruses, honey can be taken directly or can be mixed with cinnamon before it’s used for hot drinks such as tea or plain hot water.

Apart from fighting against cold viruses, the honey-cinnamon mixture is also good to taste, especially preferable for kids. Honey warms up the body and coats and soothes an irritated throat.



Pepper

Black peppercorns are particularly high in piperine, a compound known for its anti-fever and pain-relieving properties. You can suck 2-3 black pepper seeds directly or you can also add it to a glass of hot milk for a quick relief against cold. You can also mix black pepper with ginger and vinegar, and the concoction is said to be very good in absorbing herbal medications into the body.



Rest and take it easy

When you’re attacked by cold viruses, it is best, as suggested, to stay warm and rested. Resting and keeping yourself warm when you come down with a cold or the flu helps your body’s immune system to work against the viruses. And when the body is undergoing the immune battle, it tends to lose energy fast. So by lying down under a blanket or by staying warm, you can help cure your cold faster.

Related story

Home remedies to remove blemishes on your face