Home Remedies for Congestion & Colds

As conventional wisdom has it, there's no cure for the common cold. Once you catch it, you just have to endure it. Colds usually go away in a few days, so treatment aims at containing the symptoms and making the patient more comfortable as he waits it out. Thousands of cures exist, some dating back thousands of years. The Mayo Clinic and other medical authorities have isolated a few home remedies that make effective treatments, particularly for congestion, which is often the worst part of a cold.

Chicken Soup

• Chicken soup may be one of the oldest known cold remedies, but scientists have only recently isolated the reasons why. The soup soothes inflammation by blocking the progress of inflammatory cells called neutrophils. It also aids in the flow of mucus, clearing the nasal passages and helping the patient breathe. In addition, a hot bowl of soup creates humidity, which cuts down on dry throats.

Liquids

• Along with soup, drinking a lot of juice and water helps keep your body hydrated. This moistens mucus, soothes a scratchy throat and prevents dehydration. Experts suggest drinking 8 to 10 glasses a day when you have a cold. Adding lemon juice or honey to water works well, especially if you heat it up. Don't drink caffeinated beverages like coffee or soda, or any alcohol; they're diuretics, which cause you to urinate more frequently and dehydrate your body. Herbal teas or mint teas work well, but stay away from other kinds of teas, which can dry you out. In addition, avoid milk, which aids in the production of mucus---the last thing you want when suffering from a cold.

Humidity

• As with chicken soup, humidity eliminates the dry conditions in which cold viruses thrive. It also helps loosen the mucus in your nose and throat, allowing you to clear it more easily. Use a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist, and take a hot shower to clear your sinuses. If you don't want to take a shower, heat up a pot full of water, then lean over it and drape a towel over your head while you inhale the steam.

Rest and Exercise

• Exercise may sound counterproductive---and too much can wear you out---but a mild bit of walking every day can help strengthen your immune system when you're fighting a cold. Spend 15 minutes engaged in leisurely exercise---outdoors in the fresh air if it's not too cold, or on a treadmill set to a low setting. Take it easy the rest of the time. Get another family member to perform household chores and keep work to a minimum while you give your body a chance to recover.