How to cure a cold

Don't you just hate it when you catch a cold? The constant headache, the runny nose, the sore throat, the almost-deafness, etc...the list just goes on. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

So, due to the permanent weather change just round the corner and the instability of the immune system at this particular time of year, I decided to write a post on one of the things I hate the most – the so-called “Common Cold”. Plus, I am having a terrible cold myself at the moment.

I've done some googling for you and found the 10 most popular cold remedies. To tell you the truth, there turned out a few things I've been doing wrong (I also wanted to share with you a couple of things I do myself). I won't tell you what they are yet, well, at least not before we take a look at the whole list. So here is what I got for '10 best ways to cure a cold':

1. Consume many liquids

As a first cure from cold try to consume a lot of water, juices and drinks (e.g. Tea and herbs in general). Liquids prevent the «drying» of our throat and nose, they help the mucous membranes glands to remain open and so it is easier to clean.  Liquids are also very valuable when you have fever. In this case there is increased risk of loss of liquids with dehydration. In addition, the hydration of the body contributes to the removal of toxins produced from dead cells, which increases the agency fighting the virus. (I try to drink as much lemon and honey tea as I can, also my all-time favourite – ginger tea. Just put 1/3 teaspoon ground or raw ginger, a piece of lemon and 1-2 teaspoons honey in a cup, add hot, but not boiling, water and drink while still pretty hot.)

2. Water vapour and hot baths

Water vapours and hot baths are the most common home cures for cold. Some people are standing in the bathroom with running hot water; others inhale the vapours over a pot with boiling water. It is believed that the steam can facilitate congestion. The virus is also susceptible to very high temperatures, so it is possible that the steam can «kill» the virus through the nasal cavities. (I inhale the vapours over a pot with hot water and some kind of mentholy ointment dissolved in the water. Do this a couple of times and you'll be as good as new. It works for me in any case :P)

3. Avoid coffee and alcohol

Try to avoid drinks containing caffeine and alcohol because those substances tend to dehydrate our body and this is not what we want while we are cold.

4. Hot Soups

Many people consider a warm soup as the best cure the cold. The advantages of such a traditional cure comes from the broth, which keeps the body hydrated and it also helps with the vapours. It is therefore likely that any kind of hot broth will bring the same benefits. Research made for the consumption of chicken soup while in a cold showed that the ingredients of chicken soup can actually reduce the swelling of the nasal cavities and help in the faster cure from common cold. Also chicken soup can give the protein from chicken, a substance necessary for our body to build antibodies to fight viruses. (ever since I was a child, one of the only things I enjoyed in having a cold was the yummy chicken soup lol)

5. Use a humidifier

These devices are a good method to make more humid air. This may help to keep nasal cavities of liquid and thus avoid the blocking of the nose. When using the humidifier make sure to clean them regularly to block the possibility of transferring mould in the air. (Never heard of this before today)

6. Rest

One of the most important factors in getting cure from cold is a good sleep and generally relaxing. You need to get some good rest in order for your body to resist the cold virus better, faster and more efficient. If you have fever you should definitely stay home, switch off your mobile and try to relax. Most people tend to try and overcome cold with out resting. Experts’ advice is to STAY AT HOME and relax for two days in a warm environment. Typical temperature could be 24-25 Celsius. (!!!!!!!)

7. Wash your mouth with salt water

It may sound like an advice from your grandmother but practice has proved that washing your mouth with salt water is one of the cures for sore throat. Dissolve half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water and make five to six gargles. These will definitely relief your sore throat. (Or I just sometimes use baking soda instead of salt)

8. Do not smoke

Although you should stop smoking for a number of reasons, smoking when you are cold has additional disadvantages. Smoking can aggravate the symptoms of cold, while aggravating can also be passive smoking.

9. Watch your diet

Although it is not proven that diet can help you cure from cold, eating fruits and vegetables full of vitamin C can help you overcome faster from cold. Vitamin C strengthens the protection of the body, protects it from virus diseases and contributes to better functioning of white blood cells, the role of which is to fight viruses. Other food, which can assist you in recovering faster from cold, includes:

Garlic
Honey
Peppermint
Oranges, lemons, grapefruit, parsley, celery, cauliflower
Foods containing zinc
(Love the lemons, oranges, celery and peppermint)

10. Do not Exercise

Avoid exercise and all sorts of physical activity, for 3-4 days in order to give your body a chance to save forces for fighting the virus. (Now this is one of the things I have, supposedly been doing wrong. For the last, well, 12 years I think, once I felt the first signs of a cold approaching, I would exercise like crazy. I would jog and train more than usual and be good as new in 2 days. Even though my coach wasn't too happy with me training in such a state, it all paid off in the long run. But again, it works for me, it might not for you, so don't risk it. And of course, this is all true for the times when I don't miss the signs of the coming cold, which is exactly what happened this time).

So here you are, the 10 best ways to cure a cold. Please note that I am no expert or doctor, so unless you trust Google, you might want to do some research of your own. As they say, “Trust but verify”. 

I really hope that this 'short' post of mine was of any help, and please look after yourselves, after all, health is one of the most precious things one has in life. Don't hesitate to consult the doctor.
Keep warm, and those of you already with a cold, get well soon. Take care guys. Cheers ;)

Just love this picture for some reason, makes me laugh every single time :P