After reading this article:
- You can differentiate between a cough and cold.
- You will learn "how to get rid of a cold and cough fast through natural remedies along with 8 easy and proven home remedies for cough and cold.
With the winter season right around the corner, it often means cough and cold season are also well on their way.
Fortunately, even if you catch a cold or develop a cough, there are simple and inexpensive ways to remedy them.
In order to better understand the problem, it is important to know the difference between a cough and cold.
What is a cough?
First and foremost, a cough is simply your body’s natural response to help it protect itself from infection. It is usually sudden and involuntary.
There are two types of coughs. The first is an acute cough, and it is more common because it often presents itself when you have a cold or the flu.
The second type is a chronic cough. This type usually lasts for more than two weeks and is often caused by asthma, allergies, or smoking. It is recommended to consult your physician if it does not go out in a week time.
Why do we cough?
Coughs are essential for clearing out our airways and help our body heal itself. While some coughs are relatively dry, the best type to have are wet coughs. These are the ones that allow you to expel any mucus or phlegm that you might have.(1)
What could cause a cough?
Some of the most frequent causes of a cough are choking or inhaling an irritant. Some of the most common irritants are smoke, mucous, or allergens.
What is a cold?
A cold is a respiratory illness that usually consists of a runny or stuffed nose. Some of the more common symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, sore throat, coughing, and headaches.
Most colds last around seven to ten days. However, if it lasts more than ten days it may develop into a more serious illness and the diagnosis is required by a health care provider.
What causes a cold?
Most common colds are caused by touching surfaces with germs and then touching your eyes afterward. You can also catch a cold if you inhale these germs. This is especially true if you are near a person who already has a cold and is coughing in your direction.
How to prevent a cold or cough?
In order to prevent coughs or colds, it is important to be conscious of what causes them. Once you know, then you can lessen your chance of catching them.
There are three steps to follow when preventing a cold or a cough.
First, is washing your hands with water and soap. It is also a good idea to keep some hand sanitizer handy if you are planning on traveling.
Second, is to avoid touching public surfaces and then touching your mouth, eyes, or nose with unwashed hands. This can prevent you from picking up contagious germs that will make you sick. Lastly, is to avoid people who are already sick.
Do home remedies work for cold and cough?
Most common colds or coughs do not require expensive medication.
One thing to realize when you’re trying to decide whether to use medication or a home remedy is that you will have a cold or a cough for the same amount of time.
The medications and home remedies for cold and cough simply help alleviate the symptoms significantly and in many cases cure them.
There are many benefits of treating cold and cough with natural home remedies:
Here are 8 amazing home remedies for cough and cold.
1.) Aloe vera, a natural cough and cold suppressant
Aloe vera contains a surplus of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes with nearly 75 potential bio-active elements. It is rich in vitamin A, E, and C. These vitamins, especially vitamin C will help lessen the severity of a cough or cold.(2)
Aloe vera also has been reported to boost the immune system by increasing the body’s defense against viruses and bacteria. It has also an anti-inflammatory effect to help with sinus and throat inflammation.
Aloe vera is great for alleviating colds because it helps relieve some of the symptoms by soothing the throat. It has also an antiseptic effect. This means it will help inhibit bacteria and viruses.
If you are looking for a way to alleviate some of the symptoms mentioned above, here is an excellent all natural remedy. It will help soothe your itching throat by allowing it to relax and lessen inflammation.
How to use aloe vera to get rid of cold and cough:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of hot water (preferably boiled)
- 1 squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons of thyme
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- 1 tablespoon of honey (or to taste)
First, boil 1 cup of hot water and pour it into a mug. Next, squeeze the lemon juice into the water. Be careful not to let any seeds fall in and make sure to mix the lemon juice into the water thoroughly. Then add the thyme.
Lastly, add the aloe vera gel and honey. Mix until the honey and gel have dissolved. This tea that is best served warm instead of hot so be sure to let it cool before drinking it.
2.) Pineapple tea, one of the delicious natural remedies for cough and cold
Pineapple contains many different vitamins and enzymes that boost your immune system and reduce nasal swelling. It contains vitamin C and a powerful enzyme called bromelain.(3)(4)
The vitamin C helps boost your immune system while the bromelain helps to reduce the nasal inflammation that often accompanies the symptoms of a cold.
Both of these components are perfect for colds and coughs because they can help repress some of the symptoms and help your body fight the infection.
You can either incorporate pineapple into your diet when you are sick, or you can choose to create a warm all natural pineapple tea.
How to use pineapple as a homemade medicine for cough and cold relief:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon of honey
- 1/4 teaspoon of ginger
- 1/2 apple (cubed)
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
First, pour the pineapple juice into a pot and set it to boil. When it starts to boil, add the diced apples. Next, add the honey and ginger. Remember to mix thoroughly.
Last pour the mixture into a mug and sprinkle some cinnamon on top. Relax and enjoy!
3.) Carrot: One of the nutrients rich home remedies for cough and cold cure
Carrots are enriched with nutrients such as vitamin K, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. They are rich in fiber and excellent sources of potassium.(5)
Carrots are perfect for cold and coughs because they promote healthy cell growth and strengthen your immune system. They also promote eyes, lungs, skin, and intestinal tract function.
The best way to use carrots for a cold or a cough is to cut them up and put them into soup. With soup, you are able to replenish your body and help it fight infection.
How to use carrots in your diet as a home remedy for cough and cold:
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cup low-salt chicken broth
- 3/4 cup of chopped onions
- 1 cup of shredded cabbage
- 1/2 cup of diced potatoes
- 1 1/2 cups of chopped and peeled carrots
First, pour the chicken broth into the soup pot. Then add in the onion, cabbage, and carrots. Let boil for about 10- 20 minutes. Next, add the potatoes. Continue to simmer until potatoes are soft. You may add salt and pepper to taste.
4.) Cinnamon works as a natural home remedy for a cough and cold
Cinnamon is a spice that is an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant. This helps reduce nasal swelling and boosts the immune system functioning.(6)
The best way to use cinnamon to soothe colds or coughs is to use it in a warm tea.
How to make cinnamon tea for relieving cough and cold:
Ingredients:
- 1 green tea bag
- 2 tablespoons of honey
- 1 cup of water
- 1/2 Lemon
- 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
First, boil 1 cup of water. After the water has been boiled, pour it into a mug. Next, add the green tea bag. Now squeeze the lemon juice into the tea.
Then add the honey. Lastly, sprinkle a little bit of cinnamon into the tea.
5.) Garlic & Ginger: A combination that acts as natural home remedy for curing cough and cold
Garlic has been used throughout history in various cultures around the world to prevent diseases.
It has anti-microbial and anti-bacterial effects that help fight the virus or bacteria already within your body. And all these beneficial properties in garlic are due to allicin, a compound that originates from freshly chopped garlic.(7)(8)
Ginger contains anti-inflammatory agents that reduce the severity of cold or cough symptoms. You can use garlic and ginger in soups, teas, and any other meals.
However, it does seem to take better effect when accompanied with a soup or tea. This helps to soothe the throat at the same time.
Here is a garlic and ginger tea recipe for cough and cold you may try at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 cloves of garlic
- 3-5 slices of ginger
- 2 tablespoons of honey
First, pour the water into a pot and place the ginger and garlic into the water. Turn on the heat and let it boil for 15 minutes. Next, pour it into a mug and add the honey to taste.
6.) Black tea: One of the healthiest drinks for coughing and cold remedy
Black tea is filled with antioxidants that help to clear out your system and help regulate your body’s natural defenses.(9)(10)
It encourages your body to expel unnecessary toxins and to retain the required vitamins and minerals you need in order to overcome your cough or cold.
It is the best remedy for cough and cold due to its ability to regulate an inflammatory response. As a result, it reduces the amount of stress on your body.
You can drink black tea hot or cold. Some prefer it with milk, and other drink it by itself. It all depends on your preferences. However, before you drink it, remember to add honey because that helps to soothe throat pain.
How to best use black tea for cold and cough remedy:
- Black tea (brand of your choice)
- Milk (to taste)
- 1-2 tablespoons of honey
7.) Black pepper: A potent antioxidant and one of the best home remedies for cough and cold
It contains antioxidants, gastroprotective agents, and has been reported to be able to boost the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.(11)
This helps you by allowing your body to take in the nutrients it needs in order to give your body the energy to fight back.
Black pepper is a healthy choice to consider, especially, since its primary function is to clean out your system and expel any toxins or bacteria in your body.
While you can incorporate black pepper into your diet, it is more beneficial to drink it in its tea form.
How to make a black pepper tea for relieving coughing and cold at home:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of water
- 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne
- 1-2 teaspoons of honey
- 1/2 a lemon
First, boil the two cups of water in a pot. Next, add the black pepper and cayenne. Third, pour the mixture into a mug and add the honey and lemon. Stir thoroughly.
8: Green tea, a beverage to get rid of a cough and cold fast
Green tea is considered healthy for varieties of conditions because it contains a phytochemical, EGCG. EGCG has shown powerful antioxidant properties to fight with harmful free radicals in our body.(12)(13)
Due to potent antioxidant properties of EGCG, it is considered helpful in reducing tumor growth, reducing excess body fat, brain development etc. The anti-inflammatory properties of EGCG help in fighting cold and cough.
The green tea can be taken as a beverage, and to change the flavor or taste you can add in some honey.
If you find these home remedies for cough and cold working for you, you please leave your comment below. If you have tried anything by self and found that working, you please share so that we could add it here.
