Natural cure for head cold

What is a head cold?

A head cold, also called common cold or upper respiratory infection, is a viral infection usually caused by rhinoviruses or coronaviruses. It is contagious and since it is caused by a virus, it cannot be treated with antibiotics.

Head cold usually lasts from three to ten days, with primary symptoms being runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, headache, fatigue and fever.

It is the most common infectious disease out there and it is estimated that most adults suffer from it two to four times a year. Of course, some get it more often than the others, and there are some people who, for some reason, never get it.

How to treat a head cold naturally?

Since there is no cure for a head cold, all we can do is to wait until it goes away by itself, but we can also use some home remedies that help our immune system fight the virus and accelerate the recovery.

The most important thing is to blow the nose frequently. If the mucus is not expelled it gets stuck in the sinuses, causing pressure and pain. Hot or cold packs help the congestion as well. Sleeping with the head propped against slightly elevated pillows will prevent the mucus from accumulating inside the nasal passages and will thus alleviate the congestion.

Warm liquids are another necessary item for getting over a head cold. Herbal infusions, tea, warm water with lemon or lime juice, ginger tea, and, of course, hot chicken soup work best against a head cold.

Lemon-barley water is another good remedy against congestion. It is prepared with one lemon cut in half, mixed with two tablespoons of barley, placed in a jar, and topped with hot water. The mixture needs to soak overnight and it is drank in the morning. Because it must be fresh in order to work, it should be prepared daily until the symptoms subside.

Garlic is one of the most famous natural remedies for head cold, and it works too. It can be added in any food or eaten by itself, raw. One remedy is especially effective, although it may not taste so great- chopped garlic with two tablespoons of honey.

Because our body loses fluids when we are sick, it is important to restore them. Water, orange juice, diluted lime juice, carrot, beetroot or cabbage juice work best.

Sage is a natural antibiotic and it can be used for disinfecting the mouth by gargling the sage tea or for cleaning the nasal passages by inhaling its fumes.