Is there a natural way to cure a cold?
Everyone wants to know is there a natural way to cure a cold? The answer is no. A cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat and will usually last 1-10 days. Common symptoms include:
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Congestion
- Slight body aches
- Mild headache
- Sneezing
- Low-grade fever
- Generally feeling unwell
There is no cure for the common cold but there are ways that you can provide natural cold relief. Some of these ways also help the bodies naturally defenses to speed healing and increase immune response.
How to Help Relieve Cold Symptoms
- Sleep with head elevated. This will help drain nasal passages and help move along mucus
- Warm or cold packs. around nasal passages. This will help relieve congestion
- Sinus rub. Take your pointer fingers and rub in a circular downward motion. Start at the bridge of the nose and rub on either side. The circular helps to open the nasal passages.
- Blow your nose. Blowing your nose will help rid the body of mucus and the bacteria in it. It will also help relive sinus pressure.
- Drink hot beverages. Hot teas and hot honey and lemon will help sooth a sore throat, break up mucus, and relieve congestion.
- Boost the immune system. Zinc and vitamin c have both been shown to stimulate the immune system and aid in quicker recovery.
- Essential oils. Some oils are great for easing congestion and have antimicrobial properties. My favorites include lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree. *** ALWAYS CHECK FOR AGE APPROPRIATE OILS***
- Honey and Lemon Both honey and lemon have antimicrobial properties and antioxidants that aid in relieving cold symptoms and speed up healing. Honey also helps to coat and sooth a irritated throat. One of my favorites is a homemade cough syrup that has both honey and lemon in it. I sometimes give it to by the spoonful or add it to a nice hot tea. You can find the recipe for it below. ***DO NOT GIVE HONEY TO CHILDREN UNDER 12 MONTHS***
Homemade Cough Syrup
Homemade cough syrup with soothing honey, lemon juice, and ginger. Sure to help even the yuckiest of coughs
Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy-Moderate
Estimated Cost 30$
Materials
- 3/4 cup Raw Honey
- 1/4 extra virgin olive oil
- 2-4 tablespoons organic lemon juice or you can substitute raw apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup fresh grated ginger
Tools
- Grater
- Bowls
- Measuring Cup
- Measuring Spoons
- Mason Jar
Instructions
- Grate Ginger
- Place 1/2 cup grated ginger in a small pot.
- Add 3/4 cup honey to grated ginger
- Add Olive oil
- Bring to a slow boil
- Allow to cool
- Add Lemon Juice
- Add cinnamon(optional)
- Pour in airtight container
- For best potency cover and allow to infuse for at least 8 hours. If needed right away you can skip this step and go straight to #10
- Strain the syrup
- Pour it in a clean jar and place in the fridge.
- It should be good for 4-6 weeks
Notes
If you have alot of chest congestion a 1/2 tsp of cayenne pepper added will help loosen it up.
I like to add cinnamon to mine but it is optional
Adding a tablespoon to a hot tea is delicious or you can just take a spoonful by itself
I’ve had this before with whiskey added, and boy, that gave it a kick! Great information for a natural way to treat colds this season!
I’ve been looking for some great recipes to boost my immune system! Thanks for sharing!
This is a great post and it comes in perfect timing as we are dealing with colds right now. It’s the worst when the kids are sick but these are wonderful remedies to try. I especially like the recipe for the homemade cough syrup! Thank you!
I need to make this for my boys when they have a cough. This would do a great job of coating the throat.
This looks like a such a good yet practical recipe to try! It’s that time of year, and I always love natural remedies. thanks for sharing!
Love this post! I am pregnant, so I can’t take a lot of the medications that help you manage your way through a cold. So far I’ve been lucky this season, but I suspect at some point I might become stricken with “the bug”. Honey and lemon is THE BEST!
I love that there is a natural remedy for a cold. I have tried lemon and honey and it definitely helps.
I always prefer home remedies and this one certainly sounds a good one.I will try it next time I get a cold and cough.
I adore honey and lemon when I am sick! I will also add lemon to my chicken soup!
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Oh that sounds yummy i have never thought to add it to my soup i will have to try that. Thanks for the tip!!
I drink warm lemon water every.single.day. It is one of the most important parts of my morning routine. I’ll definitely have to try this recipe out one day! Thanks for sharing!
There are so many misconceptions about colds and how you catch or cure them. Thank you for shedding light on the subject and some great natural ways to soothe the symptoms.
It’s nice to have natural remedies to help feel better and support your immune system when you are sick. I like to use natural products when I can. Thanks for the recipes!
I just got over my cold! I will save the honey cough syrup as I was looking for some natural cough remedies.
I am into holistic wellness so this is up my alley. I love making honey ginger tea raw honey is best!
You have offered some great tips for natural ways to combat a cold. I love natural remedies for curing a cold. I will save your recipe because I know I will be using it. Thank you for all the great tips.
Lemon and honey is my go too when I am sick! Especially in green tea! I will drink like 6 cups a day. I love it!