Darrick Robles Last year it was largely canceled due to the Corona measures . Now it’s back: the annual flu and cold season. Anyone who has cold symptoms such as a cough, sore throat or fever should – especially during the pandemic – stay at home if possible, keep your distance from others and take it easy. Then the immune cells can do their job in peace. What else you can do: Make the symptoms more bearable with effective home remedies.
Back again: The common flu infection
Respiratory infections are typical for the cold season. On average, adults have about 3 colds (also: flu infections) a year. The widespread disease is triggered by droplet infection with rhinoviruses, which are mainly lurking in buses, trains and offices. Cough, runny nose , hoarseness, headache and body aches are the typical symptoms. That’s not pleasant. Luckily, there are some traditional home remedies that you can use to relieve cold symptoms – even without medication from the pharmacy.
What helps with cough, runny nose and hoarseness?
1. Vitamin C
Hot lemon is the classic for colds. One fruit contains a good 25 mg of vitamin C and thus covers a quarter of the daily requirement. The catch is that vitamin C is destroyed in heat. It is best to let the water cool down a bit and then add the freshly squeezed lemon juice. Incidentally, citrus fruits are not the only vitamin bombs. Rose hips, sea buckthorn, strawberries, peppers and kale contain at least as much vitamin C per 100 g. There are a number of foods that you can use to boost your immune system .
2. Ginger
Ginger root has long been considered a natural remedy – and this has now been scientifically proven. Even small amounts help with nausea, which often occurs with the flu . Hot ginger tea is also good for a sore throat. In contrast to the lemon, the hot tuber can also develop its effect in hot water.
3. Hot showers and baths
Hot-cold gets your circulation going, but you prefer to save the alternating showers for healthy times. If you have a cold, take a hot shower. The hot steam helps to clear the sinuses. Unless you’re running a fever, take a hot bath with menthol, thyme, or eucalyptus oil. The soothing scent relaxes, the warmth is good for aching limbs and lets you fall asleep better in the evening.
4. Inhale chamomile
Speaking of a stuffy nose: You can also clear it by inhaling. Add a handful of chamomile flowers to a bowl of boiling water (or 20ml of chamomile flower extract to 1L of water). Then put a towel over your head and inhale for 10 minutes. An inhaler is even more effective. Breathe in slowly and deeply to allow the vapor to reach your airways well. Chamomile essential oils can have an expectorant effect. Tea tree oil is also suitable for inhalation because of its antiviral properties. By the way, it’s not salt.
5. Onion Honey Syrup
Coughing fits are one of the most unpleasant side effects of a cold. You already have the best home remedy in the kitchen cupboard: onions can have an anti-inflammatory and expectorant effect. A spoonful of honey in the evening has been shown to relieve coughs and hoarseness and ensure a peaceful night’s sleep. The best cough syrup works like this: peel the onion and cut into small pieces, add 2 tablespoons of honey, leave to stand overnight, drain off the liquid, done. Caution with small children: Under 1 year honey is taboo.
6. Eat soup
It doesn’t always have to be chicken soup – ramen, borscht and alphabet soup also work. The main thing is hot and well seasoned. This is how you supply your body with the fluid it needs for the immune response. Agitators such as chili, paprika or pepper have a sweat-inducing effect, heat stimulates blood circulation. The soup also provides valuable fats and carbohydrates that will get you back on your feet.
7. Gargle with salt water
This ancient home remedy only needs 2 ingredients: water and salt. Regular gargling has been shown to prevent mild upper respiratory infections. The salt forms a barrier against pathogens in the throat area. If you’ve got it, gargling with saline can relieve a sore throat . ENT doctors recommend doing it several times a day. This will get rid of thick mucus in your throat faster.
8. Fresh garlic
Pure garlic is even better than capsules. The nutrient-rich tuber stimulates the circulation and can support the immune system in the fight against pathogens. Thin slices of fresh garlic taste great on bread with butter, honey and thyme. In a double pack with honey, it not only relieves cold symptoms. If consumed regularly, it can also support your immune system in the long term.
9. Potatoes instead of a hot water bottle
Homemade mashed potatoes are the best thing that can happen to a hungry stomach on a cold day. What many do not know: The bush is also good as a breast wrap. Such a potato wrap keeps warm more evenly and longer than a hot water bottle. Boil the potatoes, mash them, let them cool down a bit, wrap them in a tea towel and place them on your chest and enjoy the cozy warmth. If the compress is too hot, put another cloth in between. Get well soon!
No improvement in sight?
A cold usually goes away in a week. If symptoms worsen, get medical attention. The same applies if you have a high fever over 40 °C and antipyretic drugs are not helping enough. You should also have a doctor examine you if you have accompanying symptoms such as breathing difficulties, a rash , diarrhea or vomiting .
Our doctors will explain to you via video consultation about possible treatment steps – and whether you need medical treatment on site. If necessary, they issue prescriptions, referrals and sick leave. The following applies to all home remedies: They can provide relief, but cannot replace medical treatment.
