Natural Cold Remedies

These natural cold remedies will help you get rid of your cold fast. Learn home remedies for colds that you can use the next time you feel sick.

Garlic

Garlic is commonly used in natural remedies for colds. This powerful herb has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. You can add a bit of raw crushed garlic to your food. Raw garlic is more powerful than cooked garlic. If you don't like the taste of garlic you can take garlic capsules.

Don't take large amounts of garlic if you have bleeding disorders or you are on blood thinners.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an immune booster. Taking a vitamin C supplement during cold and flu season will lessen your likelihood of getting sick. If you are already sick taking vitamin C will help lessen the symptoms and shorten the duration of the illness.

Echinacea

This is one of the most popular herbal remedies for colds. You can take echinacea in pill or tincture form. At the first sign of a cold take it every 2 to 3 hours.

Ginger Tea

Hot drinks make great natural cold remedies because they soothe the throat. Ginger tea is one of the best teas for colds. Ginger is anti-viral. It helps relieve pain and acts as a mild sedative.

Grate about 1 inch of ginger into a pot of freshly boiled water. Add one lemon slice and let steep covered for 10 minutes. Strain the tea into the cup and add honey if needed.

Ginseng

This herb can be used to help boost your immune system in the winter to prevent colds.

More Herbs for Colds

These herbs can also be used as natural cold remedies.

• catnip
• goldenseal
• peppermint
• sage
• lemon balm
• licorice
• bramble
• borage
• yarrow

Chicken Soup

Everyone knows that when you're sick you should eat a nice bowl of homemade chicken soup. Chicken soup actually has anti-inflammatory properties that make cold symptoms more bearable.

Prevention

In general, it's best not to get a cold. Avoid getting sick by washing your hands regularly. The germs that cause colds usually enter your body through your mucus membranes so keep unwashed hands away from your eyes and nose.

Get plenty of rest. When you are tired your immune system is weaker and you're more likely to get sick.

Eat healthy food. Eat lots of immune boosting fruits and vegetables. Stay away from processed junk food so you can remain healthy.

If You Do Get Sick...

When you are sick get plenty of rest. Your body repairs itself while you're sleeping. The more sleep you get the faster you'll recover.

Drink plenty of fluids. Drink lots of water and tea. Eat lots of soup. Stay away from heavy foods so your body can devote its energies to getting better.

Sleep with an extra pillow under your head to help your nasal passages drain.

If you like these natural cold remedies check out our other natural remedies on our Free Home Remedies page.

Do you have a favorite natural remedy? Share it here.