11 Effective Home Remedies for Common Cold

Read this article to know the best Home Remedies for Common Cold. First of all let me tell you what is Common Cold?

Common Cold is the inflammation of the upper respiratory tract which is caused by viral infection. This is a very general problem which affects people mostly during monsoons. Common cold viruses cause inflammation of the upper respiratory area, which results in the variety of symptoms.

Common cold infections are so prevalent that there can be very few people who break out the infection each year. More than 200 diverse viruses are known to cause the symptoms of the common cold.

Common Cold Symptoms

The main symptoms of common cold are Runny nose, Sneezing, Tearing, Blocked nose, Sore throat, Cough and Headache.

Here is a list of some useful Home Remedies for Common Cold:

Home Remedies for Common Cold:

1) Dilute lime juice with honey to drink is the top application in cases of common cold attacks and this remedy is also fine Home Remedy for Common Cold.

2) Normal intake of Gooseberry in the winter season helps to boost body immunity against attack of common cold and cough.

3) Peppermint tea may also benefit during the common cold.

4) Ginger: (Zingiber officinale) Ginger extracts taken numerous times a day is a superb Home remedy for Common Cold and to treat coughs that accompany common colds.

5) The roots of the bitter gourd plant are used in folk medicine to treat a cold. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an identical amount of honey or tulsi leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for colds. This is another effective Home Remedy for Common Cold.

6) In a cup of milk boil 1 tbsp of pepper powder with a pinch of turmeric. You can add some sugar for better taste. Drink this mixture once a day for three days.

7) Garlic soup is an old Home Remedy for Common Cold to reduce the harshness of a cold, and should be taken once daily. The soup can be made by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Five drops of garlic oil mixed with a teaspoon of onion juice, and diluted in a cup of water, should be taken two to three times in a day. This has also been found to be very useful in the common cold treatment.

8) For dry and stuffy nose, try usual saline or salt water nasal drops made by adding 1/4 teaspoon of table salt to about 4 ml lukewarm water. Make a fresh solution each few days keeping it in fridge. Use a clean dropper to fill 1 to 2 drops in each nostril about 3 to 4 times daily for common cold .

9) Lemon can be used successfully to treat common cold, as it raises the body resistance. Take one glass of warm water and pour some limejuice and a tsp of honey in it and take this once or twice daily. This is a good Home Remedy for Common Cold.

10) A tablespoon of carom seeds (ajwain) crushed and coupled in a muslin cloth and can be inhaled whenever nose is blocked.

11) 3-4 tsp onion juice with 3-4 tsp honey taken daily avoids cold. By: Tom Alter

Cold Sore Symptom Identification - Best Cold Sore Treatment Ideas

A cold sore is a blister which appears on a person's lip or the edge of the mouth and is caused by infection with the HSV (herpes simplex virus). Such blisters will usually break open and weep clear fluid and then crust over and finally disappear after a few days. In this article we will look at cold sore symptoms.

The other such symptoms which will be related to a cold sore as well as the blister are:-

1. A sore mouth which makes eating, drinking and sleeping uncomfortable. Unfortunately many who suffer with cold sores find them painful.

2. You may have a temperature or fever.

3. You could suffer from a sore throat.

4. The lymph nodes in your neck will have become swollen.

5. Small children who have cold sores will drool more than usual.

Although you may no first develop a cold sore when you first become infected with HSV and if you do develop them when you are first infected these are normally more severe than any later outbreaks that may occur. With the first outbreak of cold sores they will often spread to any part of the mouth and not just be situated at one particular location.

Once a person has become infected with HSV it will remain in the body and may cause cold sores to return throughout your life. Most people who suffer from cold sores will have between 3 and 4 outbreaks a year although some may even suffer more than 1 cold sore attack each month.

Those core sores which are recurrent usually develop where a person's facial skin and lips meet and it takes between 6 and 48 hours before a cold sore becomes visible. The first real symptoms that a person will feel when a cold sore is about to happen is a tingling, or burning, or itching, or numbness, or tenderness or in somes cases pain around the affected area and this is called the prodromal stage.

Things which may cause a cold sore to return include such things as exposure to sunlight especially to the lips, stress, fatigue, another infection (such as a cold or flu), a food allergy, an injury that has happened to your lips or gums or you immune system may be impaired. Also women whose hormones are changing which can be caused by their menstrual cycle or because they are pregnant and result in cold sore symptom issues.

As you see the cold sore symptom can be varied and it all depends on the person who has actually been infected by HSV. Stay out of the sunlight if you get one on your lips or use spf 30 on the spot on your lip it occurs.

By Dee Cohen

How to Use Honey to Help Fix Your Cold

Over the centuries, many cultures have used honey to treat colds, as well as upper respiratory ailments. In fact, a 2007 research study by the Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics reported that honey will help children suffering with colds to cough less and sleep better. Another study showed that eating honey every day will reduce the length of the common cold. In this study, individuals who were given two ounces of raw honey each day and it actually reduced the duration of their cold symptoms by two days.
Honey contains several antibacterial and antioxidant properties that work in helping individuals to recover faster from their colds. Raw honey was used in these studies, and it is the type to use instead of pasteurized honey because natural honey keeps its beneficial antibacterial properties. It's important to note that honey should never be given to children who are under the age of one year. Listed below are some quick and easy remedies on how to use honey to help fix your cold.
1. Honey and Lemon Tea - Perfect for soothing your cold!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of raw honey
1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 cup of boiling water
Directions:
Add the lemon juice and honey to a mug or tea cup. Add boiling water and stir. Optional - add a half teaspoon of fresh ginger. This simple drink can be consumed as often as you like because all of the ingredients are natural. A variation to this recipe just uses the honey and water combination to make honey tea. You could also add honey to your favorite tea because it will make your tea more soothing to your throat.
2. Honey Gargle For Sore Throats - You'll get relief fast!
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of raw honey
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder
1 cup of hot water
Mix all three ingredients together. You can gargle with this mixture several times a day to soothe your sore throat.
3. Honey and Lemon Cough Syrup - Tastes great!
Ingredients:
1 & 1/2 cups of raw honey
1 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
Directions:
Mix together all of the ingredients and then heat the mixture until it is steaming, do not boil. Transfer the syrup to a clean jar when it has cooled down. Children can be given a tablespoon of this natural cough syrup as often as they need it because it contains no harmful chemicals.
4. Homemade Honey Cough Drops - Natural, sweet flavor that is very effective!
Ingredients:
1 cup of raw honey
1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder - optional
Boil the raw honey to 300 F degrees. Drop by 1/2 teaspoon amounts onto parchment paper or you could pour the mixture into small candy molds. Wait until it has completely cooled down before removing from the molds or parchment paper. Enjoy!
When you have a cold it is important to keep your body hydrated because this will help loosen the congestion that has been caused by the virus. Honey has proven it can strengthen the immune system so it should be part of your daily diet. It certainly makes sense to have a little raw honey every day because it will not only make you feel more energetic, but also help you to stay healthy.
By Laurel P Abell 

10 of the Fastest Ways to Clear a Stuffy Nose

If you don't know how to stop a stuffy nose, all you need to do is try some of the techniques below and you will surely find some relief.
Step 1: Keep your head elevated. When you're in bed, be sure to use more than one pillow so your head is raised. This is done so the mucus doesn't collect in your sinuses and allows your nose to dry. Standing or walking can also help clear your nose.
Step 2: Use a hair dryer. Turn on the hair dryer and breathe its hot air. The idea is similar to covering your face with hot towels. The hot air will dilute the mucus. This is similar to being in a sauna without increasing the temperature of your entire body.
Step 3: Purchase products like Tiger Balm containing high levels of menthol and camphor. Vicks VapoRub can also be used, but Tiger Balm is much better. Rub it gently on the nose area, chest and throat. Tiger Balm can cause the skin to become hot and red, but it's not dangerous. The steam rising from the menthol and camphor will warm the face and nose so that the respiratory tract becomes more relieved.
Step 4: Use a Nasal Spray. Spray works very well and will not go into your throat. Sprays can be found easily at grocery stores and drug stores. However, keep in mind that the use of many sprays is only a short term fix, because they are addictive.
Step 5: Use items that stimulate the olfactory. Squirt some essential oils, like peppermint, eucalyptus or rosemary on a handkerchief and breathe the smell. You can also spread peppermint oil on the part under your nose. The smell may sting but it will help to relieve your stuffy nose.
Step 6: Use vinegar mixed with hot water. Add vinegar into water, boil and then smell the fumes. Be careful with the sharp smell and stinging.
Step 7: Cough drops. This is just a reminder. Now days cough drops come in a wide range of flavors, so you're almost guaranteed to find some that you like.
Step 8: Massaging the bridge of your nose. Massage the area between your eyebrows and the bridge of your nose. This will help to break up the mucus. Repeat the massage as often as necessary.
Step 9: Chewing gum. Chewing gum, especially peppermint scented, will help relieve your nose. This activity can be done anywhere and without side effects. The only drawback is if you wear braces, this may not be for you.
Step 10: Open your vehicle's window. Open the window of your vehicle slightly when you drive. This may be less convenient than using the AC or heater, but you need to replace the air inside your vehicle which will provide fresh air for your nose.

By Christopher R. Taylor