Combating colds with natural home remedies

Consumers Initiative recommends inhalations and other home remedies for colds

25/11/2013

With the onset of colder weather, the annual cold season has begun. Runny nose, coughing and hoarseness are making more and more trouble, especially in kindergartens and schools. The consumer initiative e. V. has therefore put together a number of tips in a recent press release on how to counteract the common cold.

Home remedies for colds and colds have proven in practice many times. Recommended applications are here, according to the consumer initiative for example „Saline solutions or sea water sprays, so that snuff noses can breathe easier again.“ However, on decongestant nasal sprays should be limited and resorted to in consultation with the doctor to avoid negative side effect, the consumer initiative continues. The expert speaker of the consumer initiative, Alexandra Borchard-Becker, explained that a cold is usually no cause for concern, but especially with chilled babies a doctor should always be consulted. For toddlers, a visit to the doctor is required, „if the symptoms do not improve after a few days and new symptoms appear.“

Steam inhalations and rubbings reduce the cold
Next home remedies that can help relieve colds are „Steam inhalations and rubs with herbs or essential oils such as chamomile, thyme or peppermint“, reports the consumer initiative. According to the initiative, these have a beneficial effect on both blocked nose and cough. However, caution should be exercised with babies and toddlers, as agents such as „Menthol, camphor or eucalyptus in them lead to respiratory distress and respiratory arrest“ can. Help with recommended products for the little ones offer here the pediatrician. Also for oral use are various home remedies for colds or colds available. As expectorant and soothing juices for cough are according to the consumer initiative, for example, extracts from „Thyme, ivy, Icelandic moss, marshmallow or ribwort“ known. In addition, onion juice, which can be produced relatively easily at home, is an effective home remedy for cough and runny nose.

Hot chest wraps against colds
According to the consumers initiative, hot breast wraps with thyme or potatoes are well suited to external use. Cough or bronchial teas from medicinal herbs can also have a supporting effect here. Furthermore, lozenges and throat sprays, for example with sage or chamomile, are recommended for concomitant throat or throat pain. Even a neck wrap with cottage cheese, lemons or potatoes is quite helpful when patients are plagued by a thick neck, according to the Consumer Communication Initiative. (Fp)