Common Cold

Common cold can be caused by more than 200 different viruses and is highly contagious. Symptoms of a cold are sneezing, blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of taste and smell, a sore throat, a dry cough, headache, and mild fever. Children are more susceptible because they have not built up immunity to cold viruses. A cold usually lasts from three to ten days. Natural remedies can help to boost your resistance to these viruses.

Home Remedies

• Take ten grams of ginger and cut into small pieces and then boil in a cup
     of water. Strain it and add half a teaspoon of sugar. This decoction should
     be drunk when hot.

• Dilute one lemon in a glass of warm water, and add a teaspoon of honey. 
     Drink once or twice daily.

• Cinnamon is an excellent warming herb, and can be added to food and
     drinks to ease symptoms.

• Honey eaten fresh or added to herbal teas, will encourage healing and
     prevent secondary infections.

• Add half a teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder in 30 ml of milk and boil over
     a slow fire. Drink this milk once or twice daily.

• Garlic flakes eaten daily will discourage the onset of a cold and will also
     work to reduce fever.

Do's

• Try steam inhalation with a few drops of eucalyptus oil or vicks to clear a
     stuff nose.

• Drink hot liquid such as herbal teas and clear soups.

• Get extra rest.

Don’ts

• Avoid sugar.

• Do not smoke, and avoid smoky environments.

• Avoid meat, fish, eggs and starchy foods

See Doctor                                    

• Cold persist for more than 10 days.

• Earache or face pain or greenish yellow discharge.

• Develop a severe sore throat or high fever, or cough up yellow or green
     mucus.