Kick that Cold! Natural Remedies to Ease What Ails You

Kick that Cold with Natural Remedies

Welcome to sniffle season! It’s no secret that wet socks and the chilly blasts of winter can leave you feeling icky. If you’re anything like us, you’ve been struck with a runny nose, scratchy throat and flagging energy. If you’ve managed to dodge the cold and flu bullet thus far, congratulations! But for those of you that haven’t, here are some effective natural remedies to kick that cold all the way back to 2010.

Tea time. Call us old school, but tea is one of the best natural cold remedies around. Not only is it quick, cheap and easy, but remarkably effective. Drinking hot liquids relieves nasal passages, helps prevent dehydration, and can soothe a scratchy throat.

Plus, drinking tea rich in antioxidants and calming agents (think Green Tea and Chamomile) will have you feeling better in no time. While you’re under the weather, avoid teas with high caffeine content as they can prevent you from getting your necessary rest.

With a grain of salt. Having trouble swallowing without cringing in pain? We know the feeling. Instead of gritting and bearing the discomfort, try gargling with salt. The antibacterial and cleansing properties of salt can help speed up the healing process, helping you munch down on your favorite snacks again in no time.

Try dissolving a teaspoon of salt into a cup of warm water, and gargling with the solution for at least 30 seconds.

Z is for Zinc. Recent studies tout zinc as THE natural cold remedy – and we partially agree. Although not a cure, zinc has been shown to lessen the severity and duration of a cold. The trick? To be effective, you must ingest zinc ON the day you start feeling sick – don’t wait! Zinc is available in multiple forms and is found in over-the-counter products such as tablets, lozenges, and syrups.

Stinking rose. Deemed “the stinking rose”, garlic’s medicinal properties are renowned worldwide. It is used as a natural remedy for multiple ailments, one of the most popular being the common cold. Garlic contains allicin, a compound which has demonstrated antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an ideal cold-fighter. Try adding garlic to whatever it is you may be eating, or, if you’re not into the flavor of this pungent bulb, garlic is available in capsule form.

FeelGoodNow Contributor: Lucy Anne Kagan

When she isn't studying food policy or working with non-profit Apple Seeds Inc., to educate children about healthy eating habits, Lucy spends her time in a cowboy hat, riding pretty ponies through the wilderness. She has a propensity for running and wishes she lived in a world where fast food was non-existent, naps were mandatory, and all cows ate nothing but grass.


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