Nothing is quite as debilitating as a lingering cold. If you have a family, it can seem like you’re passing it back and forth for weeks. While colds are a virus that can’t (and shouldn’t) be cured with an antibiotic, there are still remedies that can help you get through the worst of it and get back on your feet.
Here are five ways to treat a cold naturally:
Eucalyptus Essential Oils
Eucalyptus is that overpowering scent that makes Vicks such a great tool to have on hand when you’re congested. The pungent aroma opens the airway, making it possible to get the rest you need to recover from your ailment.
Apply eucalyptus oil topically with a carrier oil before bedtime or blend baking soda with a bit of water and a few drops of your eucalyptus oil until it takes on the consistency of wet sand. Put the mixture in an ice cube tray or silicone mold and freeze for an hour. Pop one of these into the shower and get the full spa treatment that will open your airways and help you feel better.
According to Made with Oils, there are other essential oils that can help you get over your cold as well. Create your own cold busting blends and shower melts for a DIY natural remedy.
Honey and Lemon Tea
Don’t scoff at the simplicity of honey and lemon tea: there’s science to back up this easy concoction. First and foremost, honey is rich with antioxidants that nourish the body. Manuka honey from New Zealand even has antiviral properties! Lemon is rich in vitamin C, which is one of the key vitamins required for cold prevention.
Finally, hot water will help open up nasal passages, clear any blockages from the throat, and hydrate you. As drinking enough water can be challenging with a stuffed up nose, drinking an abundance of honey and lemon tea can make up the difference.
Elevated Sleeping
Rest is the most important thing you can give your body when you’re unwell. However, it can be difficult to sleep when you feel congested or keep coughing yourself awake. By creating an elevated sleeping environment, you’ll be able to assist with proper drainage and keep your nasal passage mostly clear. At the very least, it will help you offset the impacts of post-nasal drip.
Get a few extra pillows to prop yourself up while sleeping or set up camp on the couch for a few days, using the arms as support for your back.
Eat Well
Eating enough can be challenging when you have a cold since congestion often impacts the effectiveness of the taste buds. Rather than eating junk food that you can’t taste, prioritize an intake of healthy soups and fruit. Eat enough to give your body the energy it requires to fight off your illness.
Sweat it Out
There’s some evidence that suggests sitting in a sauna can help prevent a cold. Others swear by the idea of sweating a cold out through exercise, steam bathing, or applying eucalyptus to the feet while wearing socks to bed. If you’re adequately hydrated, don’t be afraid to get moving a bit and see if you can help sweat it out. At the very least, you’ll reduce your congestion levels.
Getting adequate hydration and rest are the best things you can do for your body when cold and flu season hits, but it doesn’t hurt to try a few natural remedies to lend a helping hand.
