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What are the Different Types of Cold Remedies?

E.A. Judkins
E.A. Judkins

A cold can cause a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, an itchy or sore throat, and nasal congestion, along with a slight fever, headache, mild body aches, and fatigue. Research studies abound as to the efficacy of many different types of cold remedies, but surprisingly little has been concluded. While there is no proven cure for the common cold, there are many different remedies that will help alleviate its symptoms.

Chicken soup is one of the most universal cold remedies, and it often works. By speeding up the movement of mucous through the nasal passages, it can help to decrease congestion. Also, anything that limits the time the virus spends in contact with mucous membranes may help reduce symptoms and duration. This includes nasal rinsing, the use of saline nasal sprays, and frequent nose blowing.

Honey is a cough suppressant and may help relieve a sore throat.
Honey is a cough suppressant and may help relieve a sore throat.

Humidity is a great cold remedy. The cold virus thrives in dry air, which is why wintertime is cold season. Nasal congestion may be broken up by inhaling the vapors from a bowl of hot water or a hot shower. These have the added benefit of helping relieve a drippy nose. To relieve congestion at night, a humidifier in the bedroom can help, as can sleeping with an extra pillow under the head.

Tea leaves, which can be used to make a gargle for a cold.
Tea leaves, which can be used to make a gargle for a cold.

Sinus pressure, pain, and congestion can be lessened with hot packs placed on the sinuses. Over-the-counter cold medicines containing decongestants can also be used, although these do have side effects that should be weighed. The ingredients label of all medications should be read carefully so as to avoid overdosing, since many commonly contain a pain reliever. Raw, red noses can be relieved with mentholated rub applied under and around the nostrils. This will also help open up breathing passages.

Tea and chicken soup are favorite remedies for colds.
Tea and chicken soup are favorite remedies for colds.

Sore throats can be soothed by gargling with a salt water solution, while throat tickles call for a thick gargle made with honey, or an astringent gargle, such as those made with tea containing tannin. Drinking fluids will also keep the throat moist and soothe irritation, as well as help to break up congestion and prevent dehydration. Caffeinated beverages should be avoided, as they worsen dehydration.

Chicken noodle soup can help alleviate nasal congestion.
Chicken noodle soup can help alleviate nasal congestion.

Honey may aid sleep and calm nighttime coughs, especially in children, although those under the age of one should never be given honey. As is the case with most illnesses, the body needs time to allow the immune system to fight the germs. Resting and staying warm help the body focus its energy on getting well.

While the above cold remedies have been shown to help alleviate symptoms, there are many that have either not been researched, or whose studies have ended in inconclusive or conflicting results. These include such popular supplements as echinacea, goldenseal, vitamin C, and garlic. Zinc also belongs in this group, and users should be aware that zinc nasal spray has been linked in some cases to the loss of the sense of smell. Astragalus root has long been used in Chinese medicine to boost immunity and prevent colds, but it is not recommended once a cold has already started. As with all herbal supplements, a doctor should be consulted before they are used, as many of them conflict with or interfere with the efficacy of many commonly prescribed medications.

There is no cure for the common cold, but there are some remedies that can help relieve symptoms.
There is no cure for the common cold, but there are some remedies that can help relieve symptoms.

There are some cold remedies that are proven to have no effect. Antibiotics treat infections caused by bacteria; the common cold is caused by a virus, on which antibiotics have no effect. Antihistamines, similarly, are not designed to treat a cold. While some of the cold symptoms may be alleviated, the side effects generally outweigh the benefits, and there are many more effective remedies.

Vitamin C, which can be found in most citrus fruits, is an excellent way to heal a cold.
Vitamin C, which can be found in most citrus fruits, is an excellent way to heal a cold.

Experts are gradually moving away from recommending the use of over-the-counter cough medications, especially in children. Most simply do not contain enough of the ingredient that relieves coughing to be very effective, and that ingredient that may be harmful to children.

Discussion Comments

Laotionne

@Feryll - Use honey for your sore throat. That's the best treatment I have found, and it really does work to soothe the pain.

Feryll

I can handle almost all of the symptoms of the common cold without too much discomfort. The only symptom that really bothers me is the sore throat. Once I get a sore throat, I feel absolutely miserable. Cough drops help some, but I have yet to find any cold relief remedy that fully relieved my sore throat.

Sporkasia

@mobilian33 - Most families have some type of alcoholic elixir that has been passed down through the generations. In my family, the beverage of choice for a cold remedy was brandy instead of whisky. My grandmother would put brandy in virtually any drink for medicinal purposes. At least she said she was doing this for medicinal purposes.

As a rule, children in the family were not allowed to drink anything stronger than a coke, but an exception was made for brandy when a cold or some other type of respiratory infection was involved. There is nothing better, in my opinion, than a cup of tea with a splash of brandy to cure whatever ails you, including the symptoms of the common cold.

mobilian33

My father had a cold remedy that he swore by when I was little. He would mix rock candy and whiskey in a jar and let it stand for a couple of days. Then once the mixture had been in that jar for a couple of days Daddy would say it was ready to be used. Whenever anybody in the house started to feel sick with a cold, Mama would give him or her a couple of teaspoons of the miracle medicine in the jar.

We would sometimes take it as a preventive medicine during the winter months just to make sure we didn't get sick. Looking back, I can't say how well the mixture actually worked to keep us from getting sick, but I can remember that it made me feel all warm inside, and the taste wasn't bad once the sugary candy mixed in with the alcohol.

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    • Honey is a cough suppressant and may help relieve a sore throat.
      By: Jaimie Duplass
      Honey is a cough suppressant and may help relieve a sore throat.
    • Tea leaves, which can be used to make a gargle for a cold.
      By: ivan kmit
      Tea leaves, which can be used to make a gargle for a cold.
    • Tea and chicken soup are favorite remedies for colds.
      By: MSPhotographic
      Tea and chicken soup are favorite remedies for colds.
    • Chicken noodle soup can help alleviate nasal congestion.
      By: leungchopan
      Chicken noodle soup can help alleviate nasal congestion.
    • There is no cure for the common cold, but there are some remedies that can help relieve symptoms.
      By: emde71
      There is no cure for the common cold, but there are some remedies that can help relieve symptoms.
    • Vitamin C, which can be found in most citrus fruits, is an excellent way to heal a cold.
      By: volff
      Vitamin C, which can be found in most citrus fruits, is an excellent way to heal a cold.
    • Hot packs can relieve sinus pressure.
      By: bloomua
      Hot packs can relieve sinus pressure.
    • A cool mist humidifier can break up nasal congestion.
      By: Lusoimages
      A cool mist humidifier can break up nasal congestion.
    • Resting and staying warm may allow the body sufficient time to fight the germs associated with a cold.
      By: CandyBox Images
      Resting and staying warm may allow the body sufficient time to fight the germs associated with a cold.
    • Nasal congestion can be broken up by inhaling steam from a hot shower.
      By: carol_anne
      Nasal congestion can be broken up by inhaling steam from a hot shower.
    • People suffering from a cold need lots of rest to recover.
      By: psd photography
      People suffering from a cold need lots of rest to recover.
    • Coughing, nasal congestion and fatigue are symptoms of the common cold.
      By: Zsolt Biczó
      Coughing, nasal congestion and fatigue are symptoms of the common cold.
    • The use of a saline nasal spray can help reduce symptoms and the duration of a cold.
      By: Ken Hurst
      The use of a saline nasal spray can help reduce symptoms and the duration of a cold.