Feeling the first symptoms of a bad cold?
Don't let it drive you nuts and act fast!
Take action before it's too late with these simple, home remedies.
These home remedies will help clear your nose and soothe your sore throat fast.
Here is our selection of 10 natural and effective remedies to fight the common cold. Watch:
Drink plenty of fluids. Why ? Because drinking decongests the bronchial tubes, moistens the throat and prevents dehydration.
Don't know what to drink? Drink water, herbal teas or ginger tea.
A good chicken broth is also an effective grandmother's remedy!
What is fumigation? It's quite simple. It is the fact of breathing water vapor with essential oils in it.
The active molecules, inhaled through the nostrils, thus easily penetrate the respiratory tract.
Breathing in steam unclogs your nose. Hold your head over a bowl of boiling water and breathe slowly through your nose.
Check the steam temperature:the goal is not to burn yourself. Add a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil to clear your nose.
You can also use a humidifier in your bedroom. Or just take a hot shower with the door closed to keep the steam out. You can even add Vicks Vaporub tablets to it.
Blowing your nose regularly is much better than sniffing and swallowing mucus. But know that it is important to do it the right way.
If you blow too hard through your nose, you risk pushing the germs contained in the phlegm up to your ears.
These germs can then cause an ear infection. Not great!
The best technique to blow your nose without risk? Press one finger to one nostril as you blow gently to empty the other. Not that hard, is it?
Saline sprays as well as sea water are effective liquids to help decongest your nose quickly.
The recipe for this is very simple. Mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free salt and one of baking soda.
Place the mixture in an airtight container. Put 1 teaspoon of this mixture in about 250 ml of warm boiled water.
Then fill a syringe, or a bulb like this, with this solution. Tilt your head over the sink and gently pour the salt water up your nose.
Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while pouring the mixture into the other nostril. Let the liquid drip off. Then do the same in the other nostril.
Always use boiled or sterile water when making this mixture. Otherwise, you could have an infection. Also remember to rinse the bulb after each use and let it air dry.
It is especially important to rest when you feel the first symptoms of a cold or flu.
This helps your body focus all of its energy on fighting that attacking infection. This battle exhausts your body.
So stay warm under the covers! Unless you have a fever because at that time it is advisable not to cover up too much.
This home remedy is very effective in lubricating your irritated throat and relieving it quickly.
Try half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in 250 ml of hot water 4 times a day.
To calm a constantly itchy throat, use one of these 16 gargles.
Hot liquids are very effective in relieving congestion and soothing your irritated throat.
If your nose is so stuffy you can't sleep at night, try this hot toddy recipe our grandmothers used.
Here is the simple recipe:put 1 teaspoon of honey and a small glass of whiskey or bourbon if you wish (adults only!) in a cup of hot water. Then drink slowly.
But take it easy and limit yourself to 1 toddy a day. Too much alcohol inflames the membranes of the nose and throat.
Remember:Alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health. Consume in moderation.
Put a small cotton ball soaked in this balm under your nose. This will open the airways.
Menthol, eucalyptus and camphor are ingredients that can help unclog your nose and avoid this discomfort.
To discover: 18 Magical Uses of VapoRub Everyone Should Know.
Take a small damp towel (or washcloth) and heat it for 30 seconds in the microwave.
Test the temperature to make sure it won't burn you and put the hot towel over your sinuses to help decongest them.
You can also use a mini-hot water bottle like this one for even more efficiency.
Sleeping with your head up is also a good tip for better breathing during the night. This prevents your nose from clogging up too quickly.
If you find that your head is too high with 2 pillows, you can also place the pillows between the mattress and the box spring to create a more gentle slope.
