Natural Cold Home Remedies

Taking over-the-counter medications are highly effective when battling a cold. However, medications can present side effects such as drowsiness. There are ways to treat the common cold with natural remedies and relieve common symptoms such as sore throat, congestion, sneezing and coughing.

Relieve Mucus Congestion

• Congestion in the head, nose and throat are typical with colds, and the accumulation of mucus can trigger head pressure and breathing difficulties. Turn on a humidifier to moisten dry air in your home and help promote mucus drainage to quickly relieve congestion. If a humidifier isn't available, a steam shower or sitting in the bathroom with the hot water running can also break up congestion and restore breathing.

Soothe a Sore Throat

• A dry, scratchy throat can develop when fighting a cold. But rather than take pain medication to ease inflammation, drop a pinch of salt into a warm glass of water and gargle the saltwater mixture several times a day to help relieve throat irritation. Hot liquids also help get rid of sore throat pain. Sip on chicken soup or drink decaf herbal teas.

Vitamin C

• A strong immune system helps you fight the common cold and decreases the length of your illness. Taking a daily multivitamin or supplements such as echinacea can decrease your risk of becoming sick. But once you've caught the cold virus, taking between 500 and 1,200mg of vitamin C a day can help strengthen your immune system and get rid of the virus faster. Supplements, orange juice, fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of vitamin C.

Stop Coughing

• Constant coughing with the common cold can disturb sleep and cause chest pain. Relieve coughing naturally by combining hot water, lemon and honey in a glass; drink the mixture as need while fighting a cold. Start with a little lemon and honey, and add more as needed until you achieve the desired taste.