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Head Cold Remedy

A head cold, also known as the common cold, affects the upper respiratory tract, or the nose and throat. The buildup of phlegm in the nose and sinuses may make your head feel big or swollen. Other symptoms of a head cold include sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, fever, cough, congestion and tiredness. If you think you have a head cold and it has not gone away or gotten better within a two weeks, contact your doctor.

  1. Saline Nasal Spray

    • Saline nasal spray can be purchased at your local grocery store or drugstore. Saline nasal spray is not to be confused with other over-the-counter medicated nasal sprays, which may contain harsh chemicals that dry your nasal passages, causing you to use this nasal spray more frequently. Saline nasal spray contains only salt water, which will not dry out the sinuses. Before using a saline nasal spray, blow your nose to rid your sinuses of any phlegm. Then, place the tip of the spray in your nose and squeeze the bottle while breathing in. Repeat with each nostril.

    Breathing Chamomile Steam

    • Chamomile tea and steam will work to soothe cold symptoms like an inflamed throat, congestion and a tight chest. Purchase chamomile tea bags at your local grocery store. When your chest and head feel congested, fill your bathroom or kitchen sink with warm water and stop the drain. Place a clean, dry towel over the back of your head as you lean over the sink. Stretch the towel over the sink so it blocks your head inside with the steam. Breathe slowly, alternating through your nose, then through your mouth. Repeat as necessary for chest or head congestion. This remedy especially helpful for nighttime, when congestion may make it difficult to sleep.

    Zinc

    • According to Elson Haas, M.D., director of the Marin Clinic of Preventive Medicine, zinc may not work for everyone, but it does help reduce the duration of a cold to an average of four days for some sufferers. Zinc is found in some foods, including beans, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, nuts and whole grains. You can also purchase zinc oxide in a tablet at your local vitamin store or drugstore. Eight milligrams is the recommended daily allowance of zinc for an adult woman, and eleven milligrams is the daily recommended dosage for an adult man.

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