How To Ease Your Cold Symptoms Without Drugs

Suppose you have a cold, but don't feel like running out to the store to get medicine for it. Or, suppose you take prescriptions that don't mix well with cold medicine. Or, suppose you haven't found a cold remedy that works without bad side effects. If you're in this position, you might think that you just have to suffer through a cold. Well, think again! While there is no cure for the common cold, there are ways you can lessen the suffering without drugs or artificial chemicals. Here are a few home remedies for your cold symptoms.

Instead of using nose spray to unclog your stuffy nose, use saline instead. Mix ¼ teaspoon baking soda and ¼ teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water. Fill a bulb syringe (or the Neti pots or nasal douches from the pharmacy) and squirt the salt water mixture into each nostril about three times. You'll want to plug one nostril while irrigating the other. Salt water helps break up the mucus; if you've ever had your nose run while swimming in the ocean, that's why. Next time you go to the store, stop by the pharmacy and pick up one of the many brands of saline nose spray. There is also a saline-menthol wash called Alkalol that does wonders in clearing clogged sinuses. Most pharmacies carry it, and it usually only costs a few dollars.

While we're talking about salt water, you can also use it as a gargle to help soothe a sore throat. Use the same mixture mentioned above, but leave out the baking soda.

Another natural substance that can help with a cold is steam. The steam from a long, hot shower can loosen mucus common with colds. You could also use a humidifier or lean over a bowl of hot water with a towel draped over your head. Of course, the steam from Mom's chicken soup can help too!Another advantage of steam is that it adds moisture; colds thrive in dry conditions, so having a bit of moisture in the air can help.

As for foods, anything with a lot of Vitamin C is good. If orange juice is too much for your sore throat, foods such as peaches, strawberries, tomatoes and broccoli are also rich in Vitamin C. Also, tea or other hot liquids help to keep nasal passages moist. Many people use tea in their honey because honey helps soothe sore throats. The fact that it tastes great makes it all the more helpful!

Finally, the advice your mom gave you still holds true. Rest, stay warm and drink plenty of fluids. You may want to avoid caffeinated beverages, though, because the caffeine can have a diuretic, dehydrating effect. Sleep with your head elevated. Also, keep a positive attitude. It's not easy to be positive when you feel awful, but an 'I can beat this cold' attitude is strangely helpful. There's still no consensus among doctors about how the mind can affect the body, but a good attitude certainly couldn't hurt.