12 Easy & Effective Home Remedies for Cold ,flu & Cough

You can find many home remedies for cold, flu, and cough on the internet. Here we also discuss some which are tried and tested for ages.

Are you excited to know what home remedies mean?

Home remedies are inexpensive treatment or cure for a health issue that uses natural or easily accessible ingredients that can be found at home. Home remedies are often passed down through generations and are based on traditional knowledge and practices. They are usually made from herbs, spices, fruits, vegetables, and other natural ingredients that have medicinal properties.

Symptoms for having Cold, Flu & Cough

Knowing the symptoms can help you determine the root cause of the problem, and then apply the appropriate remedy to address it.

Cough, flu, and cold are three different illnesses that have some overlapping symptoms, but also some distinct differences. Here are some common symptoms of each illness:

Common Cold

• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Sore throat
• Cough
• Mild to moderate fever
• Headache
• Body aches

Flu

• High fever (usually above 100.4°F or 38°C)
• Muscle or body aches
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dry cough
• Headache
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sore throat

Cough

• A persistent cough (can last for weeks)
• Chest discomfort or pain
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing or a whistling sound when breathing
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Fatigue

Home remedies for Cold & Flu

There are several natural methods that may help relieve the symptoms of a cold, including:

Home Remedies for Cough and Congestion

There are several home remedies for cough and congestion that help in relieving the symptoms of Cough, some are :

Use Cloves

Cloves have natural antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties, which make them a popular home remedy for cough. Here are a few ways to take cloves for cough:

• Clove tea: Boil 2-3 cloves in a cup of water for a few minutes, then strain and drink the tea while it’s still warm. You can add honey or lemon for flavor and additional soothing effects.
• Clove and honey mixture: Crush a few cloves and mix them with honey to make a paste. Take 1 teaspoon of the mixture every few hours to soothe cough and sore throat.
• Clove steam: Boil a handful of cloves in a pot of water, then remove from heat and inhale the steam by holding your face over the pot and covering your head with a towel. This can help relieve congestion and cough.

It’s important to note that cloves may interact with certain medications, so if you are taking any prescription medications, it’s always a good idea to consult with your healthcare professional before using cloves as a home remedy. Additionally, if your cough persists or worsens, or if you have any underlying medical conditions, it’s always a good idea to seek medical attention.

Chicken Soup

Chicken soup is a popular home remedy for cold and flu, and it has been used for centuries to help relieve symptoms and speed up recovery. Here’s a simple recipe for chicken soup:

Ingredient

1. 1 whole chicken (about 3-4 lbs.)
2. 8 cups water
3. 2 cups chopped vegetables (such as onion, celery, and carrots)
4. 2 cloves garlic, minced
5. 1 teaspoon salt
6. 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
7. 1 bay leaf
8. 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
9. 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
10. 1 cup uncooked egg noodles (optional)

Instruction

1. Put the chicken in a big pot and fill the pot with water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
2. take out the chicken from the pot and set it aside to cool it down. Skim any foam or fat from the surface of the broth.
3. Add the chopped vegetables, garlic, salt, black pepper, bay leaf, thyme, and rosemary to the pot. For about 30 minutes simmer it, or until the vegetables are tender.
4. While the vegetables are cooking, remove the skin and bones from the chicken and shred the meat into bite-sized pieces.
5. Add the shredded chicken to the pot and simmer for another 10-15 minutes.
6. If desired, add uncooked egg noodles to the pot and simmer for an additional 8-10 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through.

Serve the chicken soup hot, and store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Chicken soup can help soothe a sore throat, relieve congestion, and provide important nutrients and hydration to support the immune system during cold and flu season.

Use Ginger for Cough and Congestion

Ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help reduce inflammation in the airways and alleviate cough and congestion. You can take ginger in several ways, such as:

• Ginger tea: Steep sliced or grated fresh ginger in boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Strain and add honey to taste. Take this twice a day.
• Ginger and honey paste: Grate fresh ginger and mix it with honey to make a paste. Take 1-2 teaspoons of this paste several times a day. All the mucus will clear either through vomit or through stool. This home remedy for cough will work like a magic. All the mucus will clear either through vomit or through stool. This method will work like a magic.
• Ginger and lemon juice: Mix ginger juice, lemon juice, and honey in equal proportions. Take this twice a day

Researchers  have not investigated many of the compounds in ginger. So when taking ginger, it’s important to note that these remedies are not suitable for everyone, and may interact with certain medications. It’s also important to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or if your condition persists or worsens.

Use honey for cough and congestion

Honey can help soothe the throat and reduce coughing, because it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can take honey in several ways, such as:

• Straight honey: Take 1-2 teaspoons of honey several times a day.
• Honey and lemon tea: Add honey and lemon juice to hot water and drink it several times a day.
• Honey and cinnamon: Mix honey and cinnamon to make a paste. Take 1-2 teaspoons of this paste several times a day.

Turmeric milk

Turmeric milk, also known as golden milk, is a popular home remedy due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here’s how you can take turmeric milk for cough and congestion:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger powder
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

Directions:

• In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
• Add the turmeric powder, cinnamon powder, and ginger powder to the milk, and whisk until well combined.
• Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes on low flame, stirring occasionally.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the mixture cool slightly.
• If desired, add honey to sweeten the milk to taste.
• Strain the milk through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any lumps or spices.
• Drink turmeric milk while it’s warm.

You can drink turmeric milk once or twice a day to help alleviate cough and congestion. However, it’s important to note that turmeric may interact with certain medications, so it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or if you are taking any medications.

Saffron

Saffron has been traditionally used as a natural remedy for cough and congestion due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Here’s how you can use saffron for cough and congestion:

• Saffron milk: Add a few strands of saffron to a cup of warm milk and drink it before bedtime. Saffron milk may help soothe the throat and reduce coughing.
• Saffron tea: Add a few strands of saffron to a cup of hot water and let it steep for 5-10 minutes. You can add honey or lemon juice to taste. Saffron tea may help alleviate congestion and reduce inflammation in the airways.
• Saffron water: Soak a few strands of saffron in a cup of hot water for 15-20 minutes. Strain and drink the saffron water several times a day. Saffron water may help fight off infections that can cause cough and congestion.
• Saffron syrup: Mix saffron strands with honey to make syrup. Take 1-2 teaspoons of saffron syrup several times a day. Saffron syrup may help soothe the throat and reduce coughing.

It’s important to note that saffron is a potent spice and should be used in moderation. Also, saffron may interact with certain medications and may cause side effects such as allergic reactions and gastrointestinal upset in some people. It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or if your condition persists or worsens

What foods can help boost the immune system during cold and flu season?

Foods that can help boost the immune system and maintain your health, during cold and flu season include citrus fruits, garlic, ginger, honey, green tea, and chicken soup. These foods contain vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients that can help strengthen the immune system and fight off illness.

Precautions

When considering taking any home remedies, it’s important to keep in mind the following precautions:

1. Consult with a healthcare professional: Before trying any home remedy, it’s important to talk to your healthcare professional, especially if you have any underlying medical conditions or are taking any medications that could interact with the remedy.
2. Do your research: Make sure you thoroughly research the remedy you plan to use, including any potential side effects, risks, and contraindications. Don’t rely solely on anecdotal evidence or hearsay.
3. Follow instructions carefully: Make sure you follow the instructions for the remedy carefully, including dosage, frequency, and duration of use. Avoid exceeding the recommended dose or using the remedy for longer than recommended.
4. Use high-quality ingredients: Make sure you use high-quality ingredients when preparing your home remedy. Avoid using expired or contaminated ingredients, and consider purchasing ingredients from reputable sources.
5. Watch for allergic reactions: Be aware of any signs of allergic reactions, such as swelling, itching, or difficulty breathing, and discontinue use immediately if you experience any symptoms.