Though Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, we’ve still got a few more months of sniffles and sneezes until the warm Spring weather arrives. If you struggle to stay well during the cooler season, it’s a good idea to get ahead of any colds by preparing your home (and your medicine cabinet) for the winter months. If you’re already sick, help is on the way! Try these 4 natural cold remedies to make it through the winter season.
Hot Water with Lemon and Honey
Hot water with lemon and honey is a classic natural remedy for good reason: it works. The honey soothes a sore throat, while the lemon provides vitamin C, and the hot water helps to break up mucus and congestion. In fact, the benefits from this natural remedy are often used by those with recurring respiratory issues or allergies as a daily habit to help improve the health of the oral canal.
If you don’t have lemon or honey, hot water alone will still provide relief benefits for congestion. Likewise, hot tea of your own choice will provide the same mucus-thinning benefits.
Natural Cold Medicine
Keep your cabinet stocked with natural cold medicines that can help your body battle the common cold. Though you may feel silly now, you don’t want to be out shopping for medicine when you’re sick. It’s much easier to stock up in advance with medicines and remedies that can help promote your immune health. Whether you’re looking for something to bring down inflammation, lozenges to soothe your throat, or a vitamin C boost- opt for natural OTCs. Look for products with 100% natural ingredients, preferably ingredients that the FDA has approved. A common household favorite is Biovanta, which uses natural ingredients like honey, aloe, and lysozyme.
Avoid homeopathic remedies and, where possible, take the time to read the ingredients of natural products to ensure that the active ingredients aren’t watered down. A common sign of this is when the label lists water as the first ingredient. Never be afraid to ask the pharmacist or your primary care provider about ingredients, especially if you have preexisting health conditions.
Air Humidifiers
During the winter months and well into early spring, the air in your home may be especially dry. This can exacerbate the symptoms of the common cold by drying out the nasal canal and the throat. To combat the discomfort, consider getting an air humidifier for your room to help inject moisture back into the air during the cold, dry months of winter. Not only will this help soothe symptoms while you’re feeling them, it will also help prevent future irritations by keeping the air in your home moist.
If you’re using your air humidifier infrequently, make sure that you take the time to clean the machine before use. Follow the instructions on the model you’ve purchased to ensure proper maintenance.
Hot Soups
Everybody knows that chicken soup is one of the best foods for the common cold. But why? The science behind it is pretty simple. The heat of hot soup is good for breaking down mucus and relieving chest congestion typical of the common cold, while the sodium content of soup can help soothe sore throats.
Though notably less recognized than soup’s other benefits, scientists have found that chicken is high in selenium, which does have anti-inflammatory properties. This is likely why chicken soup has become the go-to soup, but don’t sweat it if your cabinet is missing Campbell’s- most soups will help a person recover from the common cold.
Summer is around the corner! But until then, keep these natural remedies top of mind. If you’re unsure whether or not you have the common cold or the flu, reach out to your primary care physician, especially if you’ve been experiencing symptoms for more than a week. If you’re taking care of a child under 12, always consult your pediatrician before introducing new ingredients or medications to a child.
What do you do to make it through winter colds? What are your favorite natural cold remedies? Share your experience in the comments below.
