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Hot Drinks to Make a Cold Feel Better

If you can't get relief from a cold and your symptoms are keeping you awake all night, try a hot drink. According to Web MD, hot drinks help ease congestion, prevent dehydration, and heal the inflamed membranes of your nose and throat. Herbal tea, chicken stock and other hot drinks may provide relief and help you get the rest you need to feel better in the morning, without the grogginess associated with cold medicine.

  1. Herbal Tea Drinks

    • Herbal teas have long been used for medicinal purposes. Because herbal tea mixes often include dried fruit and herbs, they have the antioxidants and vitamins you need to fight a cold, such as Vitamin C. Different herbal teas also offer different properties for specific cold symptoms. Chamomile, for example, can relieve pain and help you relax, while peppermint tea is known to help stomach aches and sore throats.

    Hot Alcoholic Drinks

    • If your cold is so intense that you can't sleep at night, try drinking a hot toddy, a traditional home remedy that grandmothers swear by. A hot toddy is simply one cup of herbal tea mixed with a teaspoon of honey and a shot of whiskey or bourbon. The warm glass of herbal tea can help ease your cold symptoms, while the alcohol may help you sleep. Web MD advises against using too much alcohol, which can inflame the membranes of your nose and throat.

    Chicken Stock

    • If your cold is so bad that you've lost your appetite, chicken soup can help ease your symptoms and provide nourishment. A study at the University of Nebraska Medical Center revealed that the ingredients in chicken soup work together to inhibit the production of mucus, according to PreventDisease.com. In addition, the carrots, celery and chicken fat can provide vitamins and nutrients needed by those suffering from a cold.

    Hot Medicinal Drinks

    • If none of the natural remedies are working, you may need an over-the-counter medicine to help your cold symptoms. Theraflu is available in a powder form that you mix with hot water and drink. It contains acetaminophen, antihistamine and other ingredients to suppress your cough, dry up mucus and help you sleep.

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