Cold wisdom on the touchstone

Which home remedies actually promise relief for colds?

07/10/2012

Almost every German suffers from a cold during the course of the year at least once. With the beginning of the colder season, the first cold wave regularly rolls across the country. Many home remedies are available for treatment, but not all of them live up to their promise.

Hot beer, hot milk with honey, hot lemon or as many vitamins as possible. Numerous cold-wisdom promise relief in cough, cold sore throat and hoarseness. While some may be helpful, some may even have a negative effect.

Cold with medication not treatable
Numerous home remedies promise a successful treatment of the annual cold. Unlike bacterial infections, drug therapy with antibiotics is excluded and viral infections of the upper respiratory tract are restricted to medication. The need for treatment alternatives is correspondingly high. Fortunately, a cold - also known as a flu infection - usually runs relatively well. After two weeks at the latest the disease is usually over. A cold is characterized by symptoms such as throat scratching to sore throat, runny nose, headache, body aches, coughing and possibly fever.

Hot beer, vitamin C or hot milk with honey - what actually works?
Among the well-known home remedies for cold is the increased intake of vitamin C in the form of tablets or fruits. Orange juice and hot lemon are therefore extremely popular in the treatment of cold today. According to the current state of research, however, vitamin C does not have a positive effect on the course of the disease. Hot milk with honey, on the other hand, can contribute to a significant relief of the scratching of the throat, thus achieving a positive effect. The fight against a cold by heat cures in the sauna, however, is rather counterproductive, since the extreme temperatures put additional strain on the body. Even more curious cold home remedies such as warm beer have no demonstrable effect and alcohol may be a burden on the body. Sport is also counterproductive, because the body needs above all peace to recover from the viral infection.

Other home remedies for colds
In natural medicine, the drinking of iodine water is known as an old home remedy for incipient colds. The drinking of water, to which a drop of 10% iodine tincture has been added, should regulate the fluid balance of the nasal mucous membranes and counteract the onset of the cold. Alternatively, the intake of the Schüßler salt no. 14, potassium iodate D6, is used. In addition, inhalations and steam baths are considered home remedies for colds, whereby the corresponding inhalation devices can be borrowed in the pharmacy. In a steam bath, the head is held over a bowl of boiling hot water and covered with a large towel. The ascending vapor should be inhaled for up to ten minutes. To enhance the beneficial effects of the steam bath, add a little salt or Ems salt to the water and a tablespoon of dried thyme or sage leaves.

Cure cold with rest, sleep and rest

Some cold remedies actually relieve the symptoms, but they can not cure the cause of the cold. This must be done by the body's own defenses, which need a lot of rest, sleep and rest for their task. If you notice signs of a cold, you should take a break to get back on your feet. In spite of the cold, going on to work may not only prolong the illness, but also favors an infection of the people around you. (Fp)

Also read about colds:
Cold wave: persistent cough spread
For colds, the medicine can do nothing
Full nose even without a cold
Ear candles: a treat for cold and stress
Dangerous painkillers aspirin & paracetamol
Prevent Cold: Vitamin C offers little help
Zinc as a helper against colds
Self-treatment for a cold

Picture credits: Benjamin Thorn