Simple Remedies for the Common Cold

Although there's no such thing as a cure for the common cold there are some things you can do to help relieve the symptoms associated with it. The symptoms of the common cold are varied but by using herbal remedies and taking a holistic approach you can help your body along.

There are many pre-made herbal remedies available from the drug store or herbal shop or you have the possibility of putting together herbs yourself. Some of the most common ones can be found growing in the wild or you may even have them in your own backyard.

One of the most excellent remedies you can take and which you can make at home once you have gathered together a few ingredients consists of five herbs. Golden seal, Garlic, Chaparral, Echinacea and Chineseastralagus root can all be combined together to make an excellent remedy to ease suffering of many of the symptoms associated with the cold.

Echinacea is known for its powerful anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and is one of the most common and widely used of herbs today. Golden seal root is known for its properties in being able to dry mucus and Chaparral will relive and soothe the respiratory tract and bronchial tubes. Garlic has excellent anti-bacterial properties along with anti-viral ones and is said to work particularly well with the influenza virus as well as the common cold, while the astralagus root is known for its ability to give the immune system a good boost.

The juice from a lemon is said to be one of the most powerful and easiest home remedies for the common cold, and is most beneficial if there is a fever alongside the cold. Lemon juice is rich in essential Vitamin C and this will ensure that the body's resistance to germs and viruses is increased. The remedy is simply made by squeezing the juice of one lemon into a glass of hot water and adding a teaspoon of honey as a sweetener.

The next home remedy is just as easy to purchase, Ginger root, if you take roughly ten grams of root and chop it before adding boiled water then allow it stand for a few minutes before straining out the root. The infusion can taste a little bitter so if necessary add a little honey or sugar. This infusion can be made up twice a day and drunk while hot.

The spice turmeric is great for colds when they are associated with a sore throat, mix � teaspoon of the powder into a glass of warm milk and drink this once or twice daily. If you want to relieve the stuffiness associated with a head cold then place some turmeric powder in a ladle pour a little milk over it and then hold over the burner of a stove, inhaling the steam that comes from the mix. This is an excellent way to ease congestion that allows you to breathe easier.

Peppermint, pine or eucalyptus oil is also great inhaled to relieve the stuffiness in the head and ease the chest.