The human body is a wonder by itself, and the parts of the human body, whether they are the heart, the lungs, or the nasal passage, are all wonders. Colds in the body are a common occurrence, particularly in the case of children. This condition occurs when there is nasal congestion in the body and the nasal passage gets blocked, causing difficulty breathing. Both in traditional and modern medical science there is no logical reason explained by the medical fraternity as to what causes colds.
The good news is that there are several effective natural remedies that can help alleviate those nasty symptoms that block the nasal passage and cause discomfort while breathing. Some of the best natural remedies that can provide relief and help you recover more quickly without the help of medicines:
Resting the body as a natural remedy has often been underestimated as a measure for curing certain ailments, including colds and nasal congestion. However, resting the affected body parts is essential for a speedy recovery. When the affected body part is at rest, the body has the natural ability to divert all its immunity resources toward fighting off the virus that is causing the discomforting symptoms. When suffering from colds and nasal congestion, particularly in the nasal passage and the chest area, ensure you get enough sleep and rest, and don’t hesitate to take short naps during the day if needed.
Steam can be incredibly soothing for congestion and a stuffy nose. The main cause of a cold is a blocked nasal system that is hampering the breathing patterns in the body. Therefore, a little heat in the nasal system through steaming can be incredibly soothing for congestion and clearing a stuffy nose.
You can create a DIY steam treatment by boiling water and leaning over the covered pot while inhaling the steam. Putting a couple of cloves into the boiling water enhances the effectiveness of the steam and helps clear the blocked nose and the blocked nasal system faster. Alternatively, an humidifier in your bedroom can add moisture to the air, which can help with congestion and ease breathing.
Honey has been used for centuries as a natural cure to alleviate coughs and conditions of nasal congestion in the body. The antibacterial properties of honey have the ability to soothe the soreness in the throat and clear the nasal passage of the bacteria that is causing the cold. Combined with elements like ground ginger, turmeric, or cloves, it can enhance its ability to cure your cough and cold faster and in a more effective manner. You can take it on its own, mix it with warm water, or make your own concoction of herbal tea.
One of the most crucial things to remember when you have a cold is to keep a constant flow of fluids in the body. These fluids help clear the mucus in the throat and the nasal passage by keeping the throat moist. Warm liquids like herbal teas, clear broths, and hot water with honey and lemon not only provide congestion from a sore throat and a blocked nose, they also help increase the immunity levels of the body that helps to alleviate the situation faster.
Increasing the intake of foods that are rich in vitamin C-rich like citrus based fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers can help boost your immune system. Additionally, zinc supplements or zinc-rich foods like beans, nuts, and whole grains can reduce the duration and severity of a cold.
Both ginger and garlic are known to have potent anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Freshly ground ginger can be added to your morning cup of tea or you can prepare a garlic-infused soup that is healthy yet nutritious. In the case of a cold and nasal congestion, just prepare a paste by grounding these elements and applying it to the exterior of the nose. The antiviral properties help kill the bacteria that cause the colds and help in healing faster.
Sodium in its pure form also has anti-inflammatory properties. Water by itself has no healing properties on its own. However, when combined with certain chemicals like sodium, it can act as an effective catalyst to speed up the healing properties. Saltwater gargles with rock salt or pink salt can provide relief for a sore throat. Mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of lukewarm water and use it to gargle several times a day. This can help reduce the inflammation in the throat and ease discomfort while breathing, particularly in a state of rest at night.
Echinacea supplements or elderberry syrup are natural remedies known to boost the immune system and reduce the duration of cold symptoms. You can find these supplements at most health food stores. However, make sure to use these supplements under medical supervision in case you are suffering from pre-existing conditions in the body like blood pressure or diabetic conditions.
Nasal saline irrigation, using a neti pot or a saline nasal spray, can help clear nasal congestion and reduce the discomfort in the nose and the lungs. However, make sure to use this therapy under medical supervision in case the symptoms of the cough and cold persist.
It’s essential to consult a healthcare professional, especially if your symptoms persist or worsen. However, since these common viral infections like coughs and colds have no known source of origin, the best option would be to observe and understand your body’s symptoms.
The best-known natural system in the body is the body’s immunity, and by keeping the immunity levels in the body strong and active through a healthy and well-balanced diet plan, these minor irritations can be avoided, and even if they do occur, the recovery can be faster in the case of a strong immune system in the body.
Eating spicy foods in the diet like Wasabi triggers a response that temporarily opens the nasal passages, making it easier to breathe.
Sometimes, food allergies can also contribute to nasal congestion. Allergy testing and eliminating the specific foods that cause allergies from the diet can help alleviate the situation.