Natural cold remedies that can be used in place of a more expensive, artificial remedy for a sore throat or cough are plentiful. You may already have many of these on hand at home or in your medicine cabinet. There are also herbal teas and oils that can be used as well. Many people even enjoy drinking steamy water to soothe a sore throat.
Some of these natural cold remedies that you may already have on hand or in your medicine cabinet include: yogurt, nasal irrigation, ice, a vapor rub, hot milk, and steamy shower. If you are suffering from a sore throat or cough, you can also use one of these as a home remedy. Yogurt is soothing to a sore throat and has a pleasant flavor. The yogurt that you buy in the store can be applied to the affected area to relieve the pain, and some brands even have a medicinal purpose.
Nasal irrigation is also an effective natural cold treatment. When you are having a cold, your sinuses become inflamed and swollen. To relieve the swelling, you can take a warm saline shower or you can use a special irrigation device. You can purchase these products at your local drugstore. It is a good idea to purchase a hydrated facial wash to use before you go to bed.
Ice works very well for a sore throat or cough. The coolness of the ice helps to relieve the pain, while the salt balances the pH levels of the body. You can purchase an ice pack at your local drugstore. This is perhaps the easiest way to relieve cold. You simply cover up your head with the ice and lay it down overnight. An hour or so before you think you will feel better, remove the ice and resume your normal activities.
Another great all natural cold remedy is a hot tea. Tea tree oil is one of the best natural treatments for a sore throat. All you have to do is boil five cups of water and pour the mixture into a pan filled with half water and half hot water. The resulting mixture is good for sore throats. Alternatively, you could use the same procedure for an antibiotic sore throat.
Cold sores can be treated using Cayenne pepper. Cayenne pepper contains a substance called capsaicin which stimulates your body’s production of human immunoglobulin, which helps to fight virus and bacteria. To use Cayenne pepper, boil a small amount (less than a cup) into a saucepan and bring to a boil over low heat. Allow the mixture to cool down and then treat cold sores by rubbing the paste into the affected area.
If you are suffering from sinus problems, you may want to try a natural cold remedy that will relieve congestion and help clear the sinuses. Hot tea bags are another effective home remedy that can be used for sinus problems. The extract of hot tea tree oil can be directly applied to the nasal cavity to help relieve congestion and mucus build up. If you wish to use this remedy, you should first wet the tea bag in water to prepare it prior to application.
Other natural remedies include using yogurt, natural supplements (especially Vitamin C), honey, lemon juice, Cayenne pepper, and olive leaf/grapefruit seed extract. These are some of the most popular natural cold remedies that have been proven effective by clinical studies. Of course, natural treatments take time to work. You may also want to consider consulting with your doctor prior to trying any natural remedies.