Text: Olga Lukinskaya

It may seem that medicine just stumbled over a cold. Organ transplantation has become a routine, a new generation of effective drugs for the treatment of cancer has been created, but every winter we continue to sneeze, cough, wallow with fever, and no effective treatment has appeared. On the Internet, disputes flare up about whether to bring down the temperature of children, whether a new medicine with unproven effectiveness helps, whether it is possible to bathe a child with a cold. We understand what ARVI is, how modern medicine treats it, and why people in Russia are so afraid of colds.

What is a cold
and is it related to the cold

The condition, which in English sounds simple - "common cold" (common cold), in Russian is usually called the abbreviation ARVI - an acute respiratory viral disease. From the transcript, it is clear that a cold is acute (not chronic), affects the respiratory system (respiratory system) and is caused by a virus. The situation is complicated by the fact that there are at least three hundred such viruses, and there are no specific antiviral agents. Symptoms of SARS are known to everyone: snot, cough, sore throat, weakness, fever, which can be expressed more or less and appear in different combinations.

Although it is popularly believed that colds are caused by cold, there is no scientific evidence for this. The cause of ARVI is a virus, and the increase in colds in the cold season is explained by the fact that an environment favorable for infection is developing. Many people breathe the same air indoors with closed windows (i.e. without sufficient ventilation), passing viruses to each other, and heating helps dry out the mucous membranes. A couple of years ago, scientists were able to demonstrate a more active reproduction of the rhinovirus in a cell culture cooled to 33 degrees, but it is not known whether this effect is observed in animals or humans and whether the nasal mucosa can cool to such a temperature in normal life.

Why are colds treated in different countries
differently

The Soviet habit of treating colds with something like sacred awe has survived to this day. In Russia, the patient generally “likes to be treated” and maintains a vicious circle of ineffective prescriptions: people often think that a good doctor should definitely prescribe more drugs. What these drugs are is often a big question. Even an associate professor or professor at a medical school may well talk at lectures about treatment with methods that are devoid of a scientific basis.

Soviet medicine taught many people the habit of calling an ambulance at a temperature of 39 degrees or going to the hospital "just in case." When we get sick, we go to extremes: we don’t walk, we don’t swim, and we stay at home until the symptoms disappear completely. In the West, the attitude towards diseases and their prevention is simpler. For example, in England you can observe how children in shorts and golfs are taken outside to play snowballs. As a result of this approach, children quickly (during the first couple of years of life) exchange all possible viruses, are immunized and gradually stop getting sick.

If it was not possible to avoid infection, then they hardly begin to sound the alarm. In Europe and America, snot and cough are not considered a disease, and children are taken to school after 1-2 days without a high temperature. Arriving at a Spanish kindergarten for a child, you can hear from the teacher: “There was a temperature of 38, but since it did not rise to 38.5, we did not call and bother you.” In France, adults kiss each other on the cheeks when they meet, and then they can admit that they have a cold. What can we say about hospitalization - it is expensive and is provided only if there are strict indications.

Is there an effective prevention of SARS?

One of the types of ARVI is influenza caused by the virus of the same name; influenza can be severe and lead to serious complications (up to death). But there are vaccines against the flu, unlike other colds. This is the most effective means of preventing influenza. Vaccination should be repeated annually, preferably in the fall. In Russia, the cost of vaccination is covered by the compulsory health insurance system, and in 2016 in Moscow, it was possible to get vaccinated at mobile vaccination points located in about twenty-four metro stations. It is especially important not to forget about the annual vaccination if you have children, elderly parents, if someone in the family suffers from chronic diseases. During pregnancy, it is also recommended to get vaccinated against influenza if the vaccination season coincides with the second or third trimester. The vaccine is safe for pregnant women and protects not only the mother but also the baby for several months after birth.

There are no vaccinations against other acute respiratory viral infections, but, fortunately, they are not as difficult and dangerous as the flu. Given that the main cause of the common cold is a virus, it is advisable to avoid close and poorly ventilated rooms with a large number of people for prevention. It is clear that for a person who uses the metro every day, this is a utopia, but at least at home (and, if possible, at work), you need to open windows more often and ventilate the room. Do not forget about such basic aspects of a healthy lifestyle as physical activity, not smoking, a varied diet, sufficient fluid intake, good hygiene (washing hands, using disposable handkerchiefs), . Vitamin C does not prevent the common cold, although it may shorten its duration, according to some reports.

Do I need to treat a cold

The common cold is known to go away in a week if treated, and in seven days if not. A week is an average indicator, and ARVI usually lasts from a couple of days to a week and a half, and there really is no specific (aimed at destroying the virus) treatment. But this does not mean that you cannot alleviate your condition and reduce the severity of symptoms. The basics of treating a cold are rest, fluid intake, rinsing the nose with saline, or "sea water" sold in pharmacies (they are the same thing). Breathing is facilitated by humid and cool air, so it is worth ventilating the room more often. Steam inhalations are good for moisturizing the mucous membranes, but should not be torture like sitting over a pot of hot potatoes; just breathe over a humidifier or in the shower. can save the mucous membrane of the nose and throat from drying out and increased susceptibility to viruses, and at the same time improve the condition of hair and skin. While studies have not shown the beneficial effects of hot inhalations and saunas for colds, cool, moist air is known to relieve nasal congestion and coughs.

At high temperatures, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are effective. It is believed that at temperatures up to 38.5 degrees, antipyretics can not be used. In the end, an increase in temperature is a sign of the activation of the immune system, the body's defense system. In children, the temperature can quickly rise even to 39–40 degrees, but if you manage to lower it with paracetamol, then you don’t have to worry; in the early days of a cold, fever can be persistent, and then paracetamol and ibuprofen are prescribed every four hours, alternating between them. Very often, to reduce the heat, it is enough to undress and take a warm shower, and then allow the body to air dry. Due to the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, NSAIDs also relieve symptoms such as headaches and muscle aches.

It is important to fight dehydration, because when the temperature rises, the body loses fluid. Doctors recommend drinking more water and clear liquids such as tea, broth, apple juice. Temperature - at your discretion; cold drinks and ice cream do not complicate the course of a cold and even often help to eliminate a sore throat. But if warm tea with raspberries is the only thing you can force yourself to drink during SARS, drink it to your health (especially since raspberries contain salicylates, aspirin derivatives). The main thing is to prevent dehydration.

With a blocked nose, vasoconstrictors based on oxymetazoline or xylometazoline (like Otrivin or Nazivin) can be used, but they should be treated with caution. On the packaging of most of these drugs, you can now find a recommendation not to use them more than twice a day and for more than three days, and for children under six years old in Europe, vasoconstrictor drops and sprays are not allowed at all. Don't forget to rinse your nose with saline. Antihistamines (antiallergic) drugs also help relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, which often causes nasal congestion. Many complex cold remedies (like Fervex in Russia and DayQuil in America) contain both NSAIDs, an antihistamine, and an expectorant component. These over-the-counter products are also safe during pregnancy when taken in a short course.

What Not to Do When You Have a Cold

Do not take antibiotics unless prescribed by a doctor. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial rather than viral infections, so they are at least useless for a cold. Remember that the green color of the snot does not indicate the bacterial nature of the infection, but is due to the accumulation of leukocytes. No need to try to strengthen the immune system with over-the-counter “immunomodulators” or “immunostimulants”. Interferons and other agents that affect the immune system are effectively used in serious diseases such as multiple sclerosis or melanoma. But the uncontrolled use of drugs "to strengthen the immune system" for colds, at best, will not be beneficial, and at worst, it can harm the immune system.

There is no need to panic and call an ambulance, even if the high temperature in an adult or child persists for several days and decreases only for a while after taking antipyretics. This is a normal course of a cold, in which the body is actively fighting a foreign virus. You need to seek emergency care if the fever persists for more than five days, does not go away under the influence of NSAIDs, and also if you observe convulsions or dehydration in the child. Difficulty breathing and wheezing is also a reason to see a doctor. Try not to endure SARS, and especially the flu, "on your feet", because peace is one of the important conditions for a speedy recovery.

When you catch a cold, you feel tired and exhausted. Your throat is sore or sore, your nose is stuffed up; sometimes you feel hot and may even turn red; at other times, you may have chills, aches, and tremors in your body. Experiencing all these cold symptoms can be very frustrating as they cause discomfort and interfere with your daily life.

Getting rid of a cold is also quite difficult, since most doctors prescribe only medicines that lower the body temperature or, at most, bed rest.

So, how to quickly cure a cold at home in a day? In this article, we will discuss 16 Natural Methods and Remedies to Help You Get Rid of a Cold. All of these time-tested remedies work effectively and quickly, so you can feel better the very next day.

What is a cold and how does it develop?

Everyone catches a cold sometimes. Children tend to get up to 6-8 colds a year due to weaker immune systems. We get colds because of microscopic microorganisms called germs that we introduce into the body from contaminated surfaces, such as doorknobs, or even by shaking hands with infected people.

Cold – it is an infectious disease that can spread from person to person. Coughs and sneezes that occur with a cold spread the bacteria and viruses that caused the illness, causing the infection to spread further (especially in the fall and spring).

Viruses also enter the body through sputum, saliva and nasal secretions.. If you touch your face, eyes, or mouth with infected hands, then these microorganisms enter your body through these openings. The main type of pathogens that cause the common cold are rhinoviruses..

Our bodies have the ability to fight most pathogens quickly; however, in some cases, they cannot immediately cope with the infection, which causes cold symptoms, such as:

headache
chills (trembling with fever)
runny nose
nasal congestion
sore throat
cough
increase in body temperature
general malaise
muscle pain
fatigue

Sometimes a cold can get worse and turn into a bacterial infection. such as ear infections, pneumonia, or a strep throat infection. These infections must be treated with antibiotics. Cold symptoms can occur 12 to 72 hours after infection.

Who can catch a cold?

Almost everyone suffers from a cold from time to time. However, people with weaker immune systems are more likely to become infected. School-age children are also more likely to get colds because they are in close contact with other infected children. Older people with weaker immune systems can also get colds up to 3-4 times a year.

Standard cold treatment

Most health officials generally recommend drinking plenty of fluids and staying in bed to get rid of a cold. You or your child may also be prescribed fever-reducing medicine. If a cold has caused a complication in the form of a bacterial ear infection or sinusitis (frontal sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.), the doctor may prescribe antibiotics.

How to quickly cure a cold with natural remedies at home

Let's now discuss how to treat a cold at home quickly and effectively.

1. Increase your vitamin C intake

Vitamin C is an antioxidant vitamin that boosts immunity and fights free radical damage caused by toxins and pollutants. Regular intake of vitamin C can help fight colds, flu, and other chronic infections.

Studies have shown that a high dose of up to 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day can help fight bronchitis. At the first sign of illness, take vitamin C and continue taking it for several days. even though you feel better. If you develop diarrhea, reduce your dose and take up to 1000 mg daily until you feel better.

2. Drink lemon juice

Lemon juice is one of the best natural remedies for colds. Drinking vitamin C-rich lemon or lime juice will help you quickly cure a cold.

At the first sign of a cold, squeeze a whole lemon into a glass of warm water and add some honey. Drink this drink at least 6 times a day until you feel better. Lemon juice reduces toxicity in the body and strengthens the immune system, which begins to fight bacteria and viruses more effectively. This helps to reduce the duration of the cold and you start to feel much better.
You can also use roasted lemons to cure a cold in 1 day. Simply toast 2-3 lemons in a hot oven until the peel is cracked. Once this starts to happen, extract the juice and sweeten it with honey. Drink a teaspoon of this remedy before meals and again at bedtime to quickly cure colds and coughs. For a very bad cold, take sweetened lemon juice 3 times a day.
For chills and fever, slice half a dozen lemons. Add slices to boiling water. Boil the mixture for at least 30 minutes. Strain. Drink a teaspoon of lemon tea every two hours until the chills subside.

3. Eat hot soups

If you don't know how to cure a cold in 1 day, you can use this time-tested method. You can have any homemade hot soup you like, but garlic and chicken soup work best.

garlic soup

Garlic has antimicrobial properties, which helps you suppress cold-causing pathogens. Garlic also has antiseptic and antispasmodic properties. Its use reduces aches and pains that usually occur at the onset of a cold. Here is the garlic soup recipe:

Ingredients:

2 liters chicken or vegetable broth
8-10 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
2-3 tablespoons of olive oil
3 medium onions (finely chopped)
2 cloves (spice)
½ teaspoon ground smoked paprika
5 sprigs of thyme
2 bay leaves
3 medium tomatoes (chopped)
sherry vinegar

Cooking method:

Heat oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic and sauté it until it turns brown. Now you can remove the garlic from the oil.
Now add the onion to this oil. Fry it until it turns brown. You can re-add the garlic at this point, after mashing it with a spoon or blender.
Add the remaining spices and tomatoes, and fry.
Once the tomatoes are soft, add the chicken/vegetable broth.
Boil for 30 minutes.
Add some sherry vinegar to your soup for a special flavor.
Drink this soup 3-4 times a day to quickly get rid of a cold.

Apart from eating garlic soup, you can also include garlic in all your meals. If you can tolerate its taste, you can also consume raw garlic.

Chicken soup

You can also drink chicken soup at the start of a cold. Actually: chicken soup is one of the best folk remedies for fighting colds and coughs. This remedy was even used in ancient Egypt to prevent fevers and colds. While it may not directly cure this disease, it will definitely make you feel better.

The fact is that when you are sick, you do not want to eat anything. By drinking chicken soup, you can keep your blood sugar levels in the normal range. This will help you feel better and also give your body the energy to fight infection. You can make chicken soup a cold cure by adding other ingredients such as ginger, garlic and hot peppers that improve circulation and keep your white blood cells moving.

4. Ginger

Like garlic, ginger is another great natural remedy that can reduce the duration of a cold. Ginger will also help you if you have a sore throat or cough. Chop fresh ginger root and add it to a cup of hot water. Add some maple syrup, honey, or stevia to sweeten the tea. Drink this wonderful cold tea 3-4 times a day until you feel better. Ginger not only fights cold symptoms and acts as a decongestant; he is also excellent remedy for indigestion.

5. Steam inhalation

How to cure a runny nose and a cold in one day? Together with the other remedies listed in this article, steam inhalation will help you with this. This fantastic remedy for nasal congestion that usually accompanies a cold. To do this: boil water, put 2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil into boiling water, tilt your face over a pot of boiling water, cover your head with a towel and inhale hot vapors for 10 minutes. Inhaling the steam will help you get rid of a sore throat, runny nose, and persistent nasal congestion.

6. Drink plenty of fluids

Your body uses fluids to fight infections. So drink at least 8-10 glasses of fresh, clean water every day, and even more on sick days. This will help you get rid of bacteria and viruses through sweat and urine. Avoid sweetened sodas and fruit juices. Sugar reduces immunity, which will further weaken your body. You can also drink herbal teas, which should be decaffeinated.

7. Take Echinacea

If you want to learn how to treat a cold with folk remedies that also work flawlessly, try echinacea. Echinacea is one of the best herbal remedies to fight colds, coughs and flu viruses.. Today, echinacea is available in several forms such as tea, tinctures, or tablets. Do not take echinacea for more than 12 weeks.

Patients with autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus or multiple sclerosis should avoid taking echinacea. Also avoid using products based on this plant if you have allergic to chamomile or other similar plant families.

8. Sleep with your head up

When your nose is blocked, it can interfere with your sleep.. Sleeping with your head elevated can help you breathe much easier.. You can also use a humidifier in your bedroom to keep your nasal passages from drying out, which will also help expel mucus and speed up your recovery. Use two or three soft pillows or raise your bed an inch to help the mucus leave your nose more efficiently.

9. Gargle with saline

This is the best remedy for getting rid of the sore throat that accompanies a cold. Boil some water and add a teaspoon of sea salt to it. Dilute boiling water with cold water so that the saline rinse is warm. Gargle with this solution three times a day - this will help eliminate phlegm, reduce pain and inflammation of the throat. However, if the infection has penetrated deep into the tissue of the tonsils, then gargling will not be of much use.

10. Use Neti Pot

To relieve nasal congestion and accumulation of mucus and pus in the sinuses, you can use neti sweat, which is used to wash the nose. Fill the neti pot with warm water and add a teaspoon of salt to it. Tilt your head to the right side, place the spout in your left nostril and start pouring water into it. Water should come out of the opposite nostril. Do the same procedure on the other side. You may need to practice using the neti pot properly. After a few tries, you will become an expert! Use neti pot regularly to keep your nasal airways and sinuses clear of mucus.

11. Drink herbal teas

Many herbal teas can quickly relieve cold symptoms.

Tea with licorice. Fantastic remedy that helps to quickly cure a cold. Licorice has a sweet taste, but its natural sugar boosts energy, reduces sore throats, and also suppresses the cough reflex. To make licorice tea, boil water, pour into a cup and add a teaspoon of licorice root to it. Let the tea brew for a few minutes, after which you can drink it. Drink at least 2-3 cups of this tea in one day.
Tea with thyme (thyme). This excellent herbal remedy also helps fight coughs. Thyme is rich in antimicrobial compounds and also has an expectorant action that removes phlegm and mucus. It relaxes the airways and throat muscles, thereby reducing coughing. To make thyme tea, boil some water. Add ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves to water. (Make sure you buy medicinal thyme (thyme) and not the spice you can get at regular grocery stores!). Cover the cup with a lid, let it steep for 10 minutes and strain. Drink this tea three times a day for three days or until your cold is gone.
Mint tea. Great for treating colds and flu.
Tea with sage. This is an old German remedy for a quick recovery from a cold. Boil some water and pour it into a cup. Place a pinch of dry sage in the water, cover the cup with the saucer and leave for 5 minutes. Sweeten with honey and drink this tea hot before bed. Despite the rapid relief of cold symptoms, do this for 2-3 nights until the disease is completely gone.
Yarrow tea. Another amazing remedy for a quick cold cure.
Tea with tansy. It is a very good natural remedy for colds and coughs, especially at night. Take a teaspoon of tansy, put it in a glass and pour boiling water over it. Let the tea steep for 10 minutes. Drink hot.
Strawberry leaf tea. This tea also contributes to the rapid elimination of cold symptoms.
Tea with Monarda. This remedy has been used for centuries by the native Indians of North America to combat colds and coughs. Pour 2-3 teaspoons of dried monarda leaves with a glass of boiling water and let it brew. Drink a cup of this tea 3 times a day.

12. Use baking soda

To the best natural remedies, which can help you quickly get rid of a cold, applies to baking soda. You can use baking soda to fight a cold in a variety of ways. For example:

You can add some baking soda and salt to warm water and use this solution as a nasal rinse. Simply fill a clean syringe with this solution and flush your nostrils. This will help you get rid of allergens like mold and dust that can cause cold symptoms.
You can also drink warm water with baking soda added to make the body's internal environment more alkaline. When your body's pH shifts to the alkaline side, it helps it fight inflammation and infections more effectively.
You can also gargle with water containing a teaspoon of baking soda and 2 aspirin tablets. Gargling with this solution at least 3-4 times a day helps to quickly get rid of colds, coughs and flu.

13. Make a breast rub using essential oils

Buy high quality essential oils such as camphor, eucalyptus and menthol oil. These are natural decongestants that can help those suffering from chronic colds. Make your own chest rub with these essential oils. If the oils are highly concentrated, they can irritate the skin; so first try putting a small drop on your wrist and wait for 30 minutes. If there are no signs of irritation on the skin, then you can safely use these oils. Before applying the mixture to your forehead and chest, you can also dilute the oils using a little base oil such as coconut oil or corn oil. Also apply to temples, under nose, pulse points and neck.

14. Use a bow

Onions and onion juice are excellent remedies for a quick cold cure at home.

You can make an onion poultice by frying it in a small amount of oil and drying it first. Apply a poultice to the chest. Keep your body warm while using this remedy. Change your poultice frequently. You can also apply onion juice on your forehead and chest. Drinking onion juice frequently is also a proven natural way to prevent colds.
Another way to use onions to quickly relieve a cold is to inhale using onions. Add the crushed pieces to hot boiling water and boil until the onion smell starts to come out of the water. Make up water from the stove. Lean over a pot of water and cover your head with a towel. Inhale the onion vapors for 10 minutes. This remedy will help you sleep well at night and quickly get rid of the symptoms of a cold.

15. Use Vinegar

Vinegar is a great remedy for sinus congestion. Inhale the vapors of the vinegar as you heat it in a saucepan. This will immediately clear the blockage in the sinuses. You can also drink apple cider vinegar by mixing 1 teaspoon of this product with a glass of warm water and honey several times a day to quickly get rid of a cold. Make sure you only choose organic, unfiltered, and raw apple cider vinegar. This will balance the pH of the body and get rid of inflammation.

16. Use Turmeric

Turmeric helps fight inflammation, prevent colds and coughs, and even prevent cancer. There are several ways to use turmeric to fight a cold:

Take ¼ teaspoon of turmeric and mix it with a glass of warm milk. You can sweeten this mixture with sugar or honey. Drink this remedy before bed to get rid of colds and coughs overnight.
You can burn a piece of turmeric root and inhale the smoke that comes from it. This remedy helps to loosen phlegm and mucus, reducing nasal congestion caused by colds.
Eat some honey mixed with a teaspoon of turmeric every few hours to help relieve coughs, colds, and flu. This remedy eliminates the accumulation of mucus in the bronchi.
Make a chest rub consisting of ground turmeric, ghee, and black pepper. Apply this mixture to the chest and throat area. This will quickly cure irritation in the bronchi and clear the accumulation of mucus in the chest.

Treating a cold at home without pills quickly and effectively

Colds are an unpleasant phenomenon that can overtake any person in any situation.

The best way to deal with the disease is to take preventive measures. But, if it happened, and the virus showed itself, there are many ways to treat a cold at home quickly.

What is a cold, recipes for its treatment at home

Not every person, when the first symptoms of the disease appear, turns to the attending physician. Most often, treatment is carried out at home. With timely detection of the disease, timely treatment will prevent complications.

In an adult, the symptoms of a cold are different. Some feel a slight malaise, others suffer from severe aches throughout the body, pain in the head, joints, muscles, nasal congestion and dry cough.

A cold is almost always accompanied by a rise in temperature and a decrease in the protective functions of the body. In some cases, complications such as:

ORZ or.

There are a large number of folk recipes that will help to effectively cope with the disease.

Water procedures for the treatment of colds at home

Viral diseases can strike at any time. The highest peak of incidence occurs in the autumn-spring period.

Immunity is weakened due to lack of sunlight and insufficient amounts of vitamins consumed with food. The first symptoms of the disease in humans are:

runny nose and sore throat;
sore throat;
fast fatiguability;
fatigue and high fever.

Treating a cold at home includes:

washing the nasopharynx;
water procedures;
the use of various herbal teas and much more.

Baths are considered one of the most effective methods in the fight against colds. They are useful in diseases of the nasopharynx and the whole body.

Hot baths destroy pathogenic bacteria and help you recover faster.

Pour water into a small basin or bucket (40-42 degrees). To get the greatest effect, use mustard powder or sea salt. Then lower your feet into the water and hold them for about 10 minutes. Feet should blush a little. If the water cools down during the procedure, add hot water. After finishing the procedure, rinse your feet, dry with a towel, put on woolen or terry socks and go to bed. These baths are best done at night.
As soon as the first symptoms of a cold appear, be sure to take a shower. The water should be hot to warm the chest, face and neck well. If there are no heart problems, you can take a hot bath and sit in it for a while. Such procedures are well combined with hot tea.
Bath with the addition of ginger and garlic has a strong warming effect. Before pouring hot water into the bath, you need to pour salt, preferably sea salt (3 tablespoons). Separately grind the garlic and ginger until a mushy state. Boil the crushed ginger with boiling water and leave to infuse for half an hour. Lay the garlic in gauze and put it on the bottom of the bath. Then pour water, pour ginger infusion into it and lie down for about 15 minutes.

Antipyretics for colds, home treatment

Most often, a cold is accompanied by a slight rise in temperature. When pathogenic microbes and bacteria enter the human body, the temperature rises to fight them. If it does not rise above 38.5 degrees, you can alleviate your well-being with some folk recipes.

. This medicinal plant has a triple effect. It relieves inflammation, destroys pathogenic bacteria and promotes active sweating. Take dried herbs (2-3 tablespoons) and brew in half a liter of boiling water, leave for half an hour. Drink a decoction of 3 tbsp. 4 times a day.
Herbal teas also have an antipyretic effect and help to cope with the disease faster. For a decoction, take plantain grass (20g), linden (25g), as well as wild rose, chamomile, coltsfoot, 10 g each and brew with boiling water. Decoction to insist for 30 minutes, drink 3 times a day for 3 tablespoons.
Cranberries have a wide range of activities. It is diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial. From cranberries you need to make fruit drinks and drink in small sips in between meals. It should not be used by people with and.
Forest or garden raspberry. It effectively fights fever and has antiseptic properties, as it contains salicylic acid.
Poplar buds. An infusion is prepared from them and drunk by adding a piece of lemon and honey. It is also a good antipyretic.
If the temperature rises, take one tbsp. flowers or dried clover grass and brew with boiling water (200 ml). Let stand for about half an hour and add a little honey. The infusion promotes and the heat goes away.

Cough treatment for colds quickly at home

There are many ways to treat cough with old folk-tested remedies. They can be used both together with tablets and separately.

One of the main rules is to drink plenty of fluids. After all, drinking plenty of water helps to better thin and remove sputum. Mineral alkaline water (Borjomi) is suitable for this, as well as tea, fruit drink.

Do not forget about herbal preparations, which have expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties. With a dry cough, it is useful to do inhalations, with the addition of mineral water, essential oils or herbal infusions.

soda inhalation. In a glass of hot water, add 5 g of soda and a couple of drops of iodine, breathe for 7-10 minutes, covering your head with a towel. Baking soda helps to soften mucous membranes and thins out phlegm. Iodine is an excellent antiseptic, it kills germs and disinfects. The effect of the procedure will be noticeable in a day.
With a cold help well with the addition of various medicinal herbs, such as sage, St. John's wort, yarrow, marshmallow, plantain, wormwood. Linden flowers, chamomile, calendula, licorice root, birch buds and many others are also suitable. They are brewed in a glass of boiling water and added to a pot of hot water or an inhaler.
Another old and a proven method is inhalation over boiled potatoes. It is cooked in the skin and kneaded directly in the pan.

All inhalations should be done frequently, up to 7 times a day, no more than 10 minutes, and one hour before going out into fresh air.

Cough can be treated with decoctions, infusions of leaves and flowers of medicinal plants. The most popular herbs are sage, eucalyptus, coltsfoot, licorice root, etc. Foods that are always at hand also help fight coughs:

>Sage. It is useful for severe coughs and helps to remove phlegm from the bronchi. This will require a glass of milk and 1 tbsp. small leaves of sage. Pour in water, boil for 2 minutes and strain. Then add milk and boil again. Drink a decoction at night.
Make compresses on the chest with honey and salt. It will help get rid of a long cough.
If there is no temperature, rub your feet with alcohol or cologne before going to bed. Pour a little dry mustard powder into woolen socks and go to bed.
Wash the onion, grind to a mushy state, add a little goose fat. The resulting gruel should be treated with a chest before going to bed. Repeat this procedure for 7 days.

Ways to treat a sore throat at home quickly

With a cold in a person, in addition to the temperature, there may be pain in the throat and a runny nose ().

There are many proven folk recipes that will help get rid of sore throat without leaving home.

Inflammation is treated with rinses, irrigations and hot drinks.

At the first manifestations of painful sensations, you need to drink warm decoctions of herbs, juice from fresh or frozen berries, so that it warms up. For this, warm tea with lemon, a spoonful of honey, mint, ginger or chamomile is suitable. Add 5 g of butter to warmed milk and drink. It will relieve inflammation in the throat.
Instead of a tablet, you can suck on a clove of garlic or a lemon.
Rinse is another way to remove the inflammatory process. It should be done often, after meals. Combine sea salt and soda 1 tsp each, add iodine (2 drops), stir in 1 tbsp. warm water.
Make a rinse with infusion of medicinal herbs. 1 tbsp. chamomile and sage brew 200 ml of boiling water and leave to infuse for 25 minutes. Pass through a bandage or gauze. Gargle sore throat every 2-2.5 hours.
Beetroot juice is the best remedy for treating a sore throat. It must be grated with a grater, squeeze the juice. Mix with as much warm water as beetroot juice, and combine with tsp. vinegar (table).
or calendula. These are tinctures for alcohol, which are sold in pharmacies. Take 3 drops of tincture and dilute in 250 ml of warm water, gargle with this solution every 3 hours.
Furacilin is a good antimicrobial and antiseptic agent. It will help relieve pain in a short time. Take 1 ton of furatsilina and dissolve in a glass of water. Such rinsing is carried out up to 4 times a day.
You can relieve inflammation in the throat with a solution of sea salt at the rate of 1 tsp. 200 ml of warm boiled water.
Take dry burdock leaves (2 tablespoons) in a glass of water, cover and boil for 20 minutes, cool. Gargle a sore throat after eating several times a day.

Methods for treating a runny nose at home

A runny nose with a cold is one of the first signs of an onset of the disease. Folk remedies - first aid in the treatment of congestion and flow from the nose in a short time.

If a person has a fever, then the treatment of nasal congestion consists in bed rest and plenty of fluid intake.

With a runny nose and small secretions, warming up and washing the nasal mucosa can be done.

A prerequisite for the treatment of a runny nose is frequent and plentiful drinking: mineral, simple boiled water, berry fruit drinks, herbal decoctions and infusions, tea with a slice of lemon, rosehip broth, etc.
To cleanse the nasal mucosa, prepare drops. Peel a medium-sized onion, chop and squeeze the juice. Dilute it with boiled warm water and drip into the nose 2 drops up to 4 times a day.
Squeeze juice from fresh carrots, take the same amount of sunflower (deodorized) oil, a couple of drops of squeezed garlic juice and mix everything. Bury 2 drops 3 times a day.
Honey is a natural product that is a universal remedy in the fight against colds. Dissolve honey (1 tsp) in a glass of water at room temperature and instill 2 drops into each nostril every 4 hours.
Washing. To cleanse the nasal mucosa of microbes and relieve congestion, do rinsing with decoctions of calendula, chamomile, sage or green tea.
Ointment for relieving nasal congestion is prepared as follows. Pour a little pharmacy glycerin into a small glass container and drip 10 drops of iodine. Apply to the nasal mucosa 3 times a day.
Essential oils are also effective in dealing with nasal congestion and runny nose. If there is no allergy, drip 1 drop of essential menthol or camphor oil into the nose.
Squeeze juice from aloe leaves, dilute in warm boiled water, at the rate of 1 part juice and 1 part water. Bury in the nose 2 drops up to 3 times a day.
To cleanse the mucosa, take soda (1.tsp), a couple of drops of propolis tincture and dilute in 1 tbsp. water (warm). Rinse 3-5 times a day.
To reduce discharge from the nose, you can lubricate the mucosa with squeezed lemon juice.

Useful tips for treating colds at home

In conclusion, a few tips to help get rid of a cold effectively and quickly at home.

The main point in the treatment of the disease is not to interfere with the work of the immune system. With a slight rise in temperature, the human body itself begins to resist the infectious agent. In this case, it should not be knocked down.
Cough is a defensive reaction to microbes entering the body. You don't have to get rid of it completely. If the cough does not go away within 4 days, in this case it should be treated.
Another important rule in the treatment of colds is to drink plenty of water. It helps to thin phlegm, soften the mucous membrane of the throat and nose, improves blood circulation and the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
For a speedy recovery, you need to follow the correct daily routine and diet. Food should be balanced, with enough proteins, fats and carbohydrates. For the period of a cold, fried, spicy and salty foods should be excluded from the diet.

Higher education (Cardiology). Cardiologist, therapist, functional diagnostics doctor. I am well versed in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular system. Graduated from the academy (full-time), has a lot of work experience behind her.

Specialty: Cardiologist, Therapist, Doctor of Functional Diagnostics.

Everyone knows what a cold is: an unpleasant disease can unsettle at any moment, disrupting important meetings and forcing you to abandon the usual rhythm of life. The medical name for the common cold is ARI, that is, an acute respiratory disease that occurs due to exposure to pathogens. The main cause of a cold is a decrease in immunity, so it is important to choose the right treatment and preventive measures.

ARI is called a cold because the most common cause is hypothermia. It is enough to go outside immediately after a workout, swim in too cold water or walk around the apartment barefoot in the fall, so that after a few hours the first unpleasant symptoms appear.

ARI is most often manifested by pain and sore throat, sneezing, and a slight increase in temperature. Knowing how to treat a cold, you can achieve a reduction in unpleasant symptoms up to their complete disappearance in a few days.

The viruses that are the culprits of the disease are always present in the nasopharynx, but natural immunity prevents them from affecting the body. However, in some cases, natural defenses are reduced, and the disease takes over.

Weakened immunity can occur not only with hypothermia, but also in other situations:

Strong stress. Nervous shock and anxiety reduce the body's ability to protect, so they can lead to serious illness.
Constant fatigue. Lack of sleep, excessive stress during work also reduce resistance.
Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. Proper regular nutrition not only helps to control weight, but also helps protect against colds.

The common cold is often treated as a non-serious disease, and many try to carry it on their feet, trying to remove it with unpleasant symptoms. Such a “treatment” not only does not bring benefits, but can also cause very serious problems, since antibiotics do not help fight viruses, but worsen natural immunity.

When symptoms of the disease appear, it is important to distinguish acute respiratory infections from tonsillitis and flu in order to immediately take the right measures.

Their main differences:

Influenza, unlike a cold, develops rapidly: the temperature rises sharply to 38-39 degrees, weakness, headaches appear, and aching joints are observed. while there is no runny nose, which is one of the important differences from the common cold. Influenza is dangerous with complications, so it requires serious treatment.
For a sore throat (adenoviral infection) with difficulty swallowing, and the tonsils begin to become covered with grayish films. In addition, the temperature rises, lymph nodes increase, severe weakness is observed, pain in the eyes is possible.
The common cold is most often understood as rhinitis - which is manifested by a runny nose, a slight increase in temperature and a general deterioration in well-being. In addition, inflammation of the larynx. There is a sore throat, the voice becomes hoarse, a "barking cough" may join. Most often, the symptoms of a cold increase gradually with a deterioration in well-being, and often for the first few days people simply try to brush off the ailment.

olgapetrovaolga

Maria

I will say a banality, but autumn or winter without a cold is not a real thing. Few people have such strong immunity to do without this scourge. But there are no people who want to sit at home with not too severe symptoms in the form of a cough, runny nose and even a temperature. Therefore, keep a few tips on how to quickly cure a cold at home with folk remedies. They are suitable for both adults and children, we will talk separately about the treatment of nursing mothers and during pregnancy.

And the truth is, everyone wants to return to normal as quickly as possible. And if you start the fight against the symptoms of the disease in time, then it will be crowned with victory, in 1 - 2 days you can put yourself in full order and return to your usual way of life.

What is a cold? Acute respiratory disease (ARI), manifested as a result of hypothermia, reduced immunity, or contact with a sick person. If the cause of a cold is a virus, then the disease is referred to as SARS. And there are a lot of such viruses, at least 200 have been identified to date. In the group of viruses, the influenza disease stands apart, since its symptoms are slightly different from the manifestations of other colds.

Depending on the causes, the symptoms of a cold are sometimes different, but there are common ones that unite this group of diseases:

Lachrymation.
General weakness.
Runny nose.
Sneezing.
Cough, often dry.
Headache.
Sore and sore throat.
Temperature (not always).
Aching in the joints or muscles.

One of the symptoms of the disease is under the nose, the treatment of which I wrote in another article on the site. Read - will be a good help in treatment.

It is bad that at the beginning of the disease a person does not always understand that he is sick - a cold develops gradually. Therefore, the patient misses important hours for a quick cure, and aggravates his situation, enduring a painful condition on his feet.

If you start acting immediately, with the appearance of only a few signs, then it is possible to cure a cold in one day, well, a little more, because you will not allow the infection to gain strength and be distributed throughout the body.

How to quickly cure a cold at home

Surely, in your family piggy bank of recipes for quick treatment, there are many proven and very effective ones. It is only important to act as a united front and use everything at the same time, without neglecting the little things. I will outline the most important ways.

Get sick at home.

Many adults, referring to a not too serious condition and circumstances, tend to endure the ailment on their feet, trying not to fall out during the illness of their lives. And they make a big mistake. It is not at all necessary to endure bed rest, but you cannot tire yourself with work - a rested body resists diseases better. Relax, take advantage of the moment, stay warm. In addition, take pity on colleagues, acquaintances and fellow travelers in transport - spreading the infection further is not a good idea.

Sleep, wrapped in a warm blanket, read. Take a lot of time for sleep, because it is known that it is in sleep that the body fights the disease.

Be sure to dress warmly, do not forget about socks and a scarf around your neck.

Steam your feet.

In the absence of temperature, hot foot baths can be done, which contributes to a quick recovery from a cold. It helps adults well, the child can also steam his legs, but pregnant women cannot carry out the procedure.

In a basin of hot water, I throw a handful of ordinary or sea salt. There mustard powder. When the procedure is completed, there are two options for the development of events.
The first one is kind. I draw a grid on my feet with iodine, then put on my socks and dive into bed to keep warm. But there is a more extreme method of treatment that boosts the immune system well: from a basin of hot water, I move my legs to a basin of cool water for 3-4-5 seconds, no longer.
Water should not be icy, namely cool, room temperature, well, maybe a little colder. Then the legs for a minute - two return again to the basin with hot. After that, it remains to wipe dry, put on socks and head for the bed.

It helps to quickly cure a cold by rubbing the feet, which you can do in addition to the main treatment. For the procedure, take vodka, alcohol or the cheapest cologne and rub your feet and calves with active movements. It is better to do it at night shortly before bedtime, then immediately put on your socks and go to bed.

Healing drinks for a quick cure for a cold

Drink a lot. This advice is given by both doctors and traditional healers. And absolutely right. Drinking plenty of water is one of the first steps to take. To quickly recover from the manifestations of a cold, the body needs to be helped to get rid of all toxic substances: viruses and pathogenic bacteria.

Make sure you get enough fluid. In addition to ordinary water, it is very good for:

Herbal teas and decoctions.
Berry fruit drinks, in which there is a lot of vitamin C. Traditionally, viburnum, red and black currants are suitable (I always have a supply of white, I like it more), sea buckthorn, cranberries.
Plain hot tea with honey and lemon. And, do not forget - honey should be eaten with a spoon. Diluted in too hot tea, honey will lose most of its medicinal properties.
Mineral water, preferably alkaline, but without gas.

Traditional medicine, which you need to pay attention to with a cold - various herbs and plants:

Bactericidal, anti-inflammatory: chamomile, pine or spruce needles, thyme.
Diaphoretics that reduce the temperature: ginger, raspberry, linden.
Diuretic: leaves of strawberries, lingonberries, carrot tops.
Improve immunity: wild rose, red mountain ash, echinacea.

Do not limit yourself in the amount of fluid you drink. You can use up to 3 liters, or even more. True, swelling may occur. To remove them, add something diuretic, by the way, there are herbs that simultaneously expel excess fluid and work anti-inflammatory.

Vitamins for the treatment of colds

The importance of the intake of vitamins in the body of adults and children with a cold cannot be overestimated. It largely depends on whether the body will resist the disease. Especially important in our case is vitamin C, which ensures the production of interferon, which protects us from viruses.

Change and adjust your diet by adding many more fruits and vegetables than usual. The high content of vitamin C will improve immunity and recovery will come faster. A few tips about P read in another article.
Add apples, persimmons, citrus fruits and kiwi to the menu, pay attention to sweet peppers and sauerkraut.
Try to refuse fatty and carbohydrate foods, it takes a lot of energy to digest it, and it is needed to fight viruses.

How to quickly get rid of a runny nose with a cold

A runny nose almost always accompanies a cold, and each of us tries to quickly cure it. It is much easier to get rid of an incipient runny nose if you use rinsing with a special solution and drops. There are folk remedies for washing the sinuses that help to effectively treat the problem.

Infusion of calendula flowers, which is easy to prepare at home. To do this, pour a large spoonful of the flowers of the plant with boiling water and let it brew. Rinse your nose often with strained infusion.
The nose is also washed with potato juice, aloe, diluted red beet juice and onion.
A solution of soda helps well, half a teaspoon of which is diluted in a glass of warm water. The effect of adding table salt will improve the effect.

Is it worth it to bring down the temperature

On this issue, there are differences of opinion, and directly opposite. Someone advises not to shoot down, arguing that in this way the body fights the virus. Many are supporters of the fact that the temperature should not be allowed to rise high.

In fact, you need to carefully monitor the body's reaction to the treatment started and monitor the thermometer. If the indicators on it exceeded 38 degrees, the condition worsens - the muscles ache, the head is spinning and the eyes hurt, then you should not endure the condition for a long time. Take a pill, rub your hands and chest with water mixed with vinegar to stop the fever and reduce it.

I offer you a recipe for traditional medicine to reduce the temperature:

Grate a couple of raw potatoes and add a large spoonful of apple cider vinegar to it. Stir and make a compress on the frontal part of the head. The temperature will drop fairly quickly.

Treatment of a cold with folk remedies

Having gone through a lot of remedies for the quick treatment of colds offered by traditional medicine, I have chosen for you the most delicious ones that adults will like. Alcohol-free recipes can be offered to children, women who are expecting a baby, and nursing mothers.

Milk with honey and butter will reduce sore throats, help with coughing, improving sputum discharge. It is only important to remember: milk should not be taken hot; when warm, the remedy acts no less effectively. The advice is especially for children.
When starting a cold, it is useful to warm up a little Cahors by adding a pinch of black pepper, a little honey, and drink shortly before bedtime. The next morning you will get up like a “cucumber”.
The following recipe for a drink for the treatment of adults: heat a glass of any red wine almost to a boil, add a couple of slices of orange and lemon along with the zest. Send a pinch of hot red and black pepper. If you want to get mulled wine, flavor the drink with cinnamon and cloves.
Beer. For a long time, I had no idea that beer could also be healing. With a cold, you can cook something like mulled wine from it, replacing wine with a drink. Slowly heat the beer over low heat, first throwing in a little cloves, lemon peels and cinnamon. Separately, beat 3 egg yolks and 3 tablespoons of sugar until fluffy. Pour the foam into the hot beer and simmer until the beer is thick. You don't need to boil. Drink a delicious medicine in a glass, and a cold will disappear in just one day.
Mint. Prepare a healing mint elixir for the night: put a few mint leaves in a glass of boiling water, let stand for 10 minutes, and then add a spoonful of honey and a clove of chopped garlic. When mixed, pour in a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice. Drink a cocktail hot and go straight to bed.
Lemon. Make a decoction of several chopped lemons in 2 liters of water. Cool, add honey and drink several times a day.
A recipe quite well known in folk medicine: put a lemon in boiling water for a couple of minutes, and then grind it in a meat grinder along with the zest. Next, add 100 gr. butter and a couple of tablespoons of honey. The mixture will turn out to be pleasant to the taste, so it is also suitable for children. Take a large spoonful every 3 to 4 hours.
Kalina. Take a glass of viburnum juice and the same amount of honey. Stir and take warm, a tablespoon 2-3 times a day.

Inhalations for quick treatment of colds

Treatment of a cold at home with inhalations is a long-standing and proven folk remedy. Official medicine treats this procedure very favorably. I remember, as a child, my mother specially cooked potatoes in their uniforms and planted me over the pan, covering me with a towel. And a runny nose, and, indeed, all the symptoms of a cold passed quite quickly. Then we bought a special inhaler and used herbs.

Medicinal herbs that help with the disease:

Mint.
Lavender.
Sage.
Melissa.
Eucalyptus.
Pine needles.

Do not have a special device for inhalation - use a regular pan. Put one or several of the listed herbs at once, pour in a liter of boiling water. After a few minutes, when the herbs are a little brewed, and the steam stops burning, you can proceed to the procedure. Bend over the container, cover yourself with a towel and slowly breathe over the healing steam.

Be sure to visit the clinic

Anyone who pays attention to their health will not delay home treatment for a cold if some alarming symptoms appear.

Should be alert:

High, within 39 degrees, the temperature lasts longer than 3 days.
Headache that doesn't go away.
Constant pain in the eyes, paranasal sinuses.
Difficulty in breathing, heavy cough with strong wheezing.
Sputum that is coughed up is green or brown in color, there is an admixture of blood.
Swelling of the throat, making it difficult to eat and drink.

Remember, friends, how many times a completely harmless acute respiratory disease or SARS developed into a more serious bronchitis and even worse. Therefore, treat the disease with attention. Take sick leave, and try to cure your cold as quickly as possible. You will learn a few more tips from the video. With love… Galina Nekrasova.