HOME REMEDIES FOR COMMON COLD

A common cold, also known as acute coryza, is an inflammation of the upper respiratory tract caused by infection with common cold viruses. A common cold occurs more often than any other disease - hence, its name. A person may suffer from a common fold several times in a year. A cold usually lasts from three to ten days. 
Common Cold treatment using Lemon
Lemon is the most important among the many home remedies for common cold. It is beneficial in all types of cold with fever. Vitamin C-rich lemon juice increases body resistance, decreases toxicity and reduces the duration of the illness. One lemon should be diluted in a glass of warm water, and a teaspoon of honey should be added to it. This should be taken once or twice daily.

Common Cold treatment using Garlic

Garlic soup is an old remedy to reduce the severity of a cold, and should be taken once daily. The soup can be prepared by boiling three or four cloves of chopped garlic in a cup of water. Garlic contains antiseptic and antispasmodic properties, besides several other medicinal virtues. The oil contained in this vegetable helps to open up the respiratory passages. In soup form, it flushes out all toxins from the system and thus helps bring down fever. Five drops of garlic oil combined with a teaspoon of onion juice, and diluted in a cup of water, should be drunk two to three times a day. This has also been found to be very effective in the treatment of common cold.

Common Cold treatment using Ginger

Ginger is another excellent remedy for colds and coughs. About ten grams of ginger should be cut into small pieces and boiled in a cup of water. It should then be strained and half a teaspoon of sugar added to it. This decoction should be drunk when hot. Ginger tea, prepared by adding a few pieces of ginger into boiled water before adding the tea leaves, is also an effective remedy for colds and for fevers resulting from cold. It may be taken twice daily.

Common Cold treatment using Lady's Fingers

Lady's fingers are highly valuable in treating irritation of the throat and a persistent dry cough. This vegetable is rich in mucilage and acts as a drug to allay irritation, swelling, and pain. About 100 gm of lady's fingers should be cut into pieces, and boiled down in half a litre of water to make a decoction. The steam issuing from this decoction may also be inhaled once or twice a day to relieve throat irritation and a dry cough.

Common Cold treatment using Bitter Gourd Roots

The roots of the bitter gourd plant are used in folk medicine to cure a cold. A teaspoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal quantity of honey or holy basil leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as an excellent medicine for colds.

Common Cold treatment using Turmeric

Turmeric is an effective remedy for colds and throat irritations. Half a teaspoon of fresh turmeric powder mixed in 30 ml of warm milk, and taken once or twice daily, is a useful prescription for these conditions. Turmeric powder should be put into a hot ladle. Milk should then be poured in it and boiled over a slow fire. This mixture should then be drunk by the patient. In case of a running cold, smoke from the burning turmeric should be inhaled. It will increase the discharge from the nose and provide quick relief.

Common Cold treatment using Tamarind and Pepper

Tamarind-pepper rasam is also considered an effective home remedy for a cold in South India. Dilute 50 mg tamarind in 250 ml of water. Boil the diluted tamarind water for a few minutes with a teaspoon of hot clarified butter and half a teaspoon of black pepper powder. This steaming hot rasam has a flushing effect, and should be taken three times a day. As one takes it, the nose and eyes water and the nasal blockage is cleared.

Common Cold treatment using Turmeric

Inhale turmeric fumes, for this tie some turmeric in a clean cloth and light it. Boil some water and allow it to cool, now add ¼ teaspoon table salt to it. Put 2 to 3 drops of this solution in your both the nostrils before meals and going to bed. Mix natural apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts. Boil this solution in a pan, when the fumes rises lean over the pan and inhale the fumes. Prepare a solution using 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil and Pine Essential Oil, 3 drops of Peppermint Essential Oil and 7 drops of Eucalyptus Essential Oil. Inhale vapors of this solution by putting it on a cotton ball or an aromatherapy diffuser.


Other useful measures in the treatment of a common cold are a mild sunbath, fresh air and deep breathing, brisk walks, sound sleep, and adjustment of one's clothes and habits to the requirements of the season so as to nullify the effect of weather fluctuations.

One of the easiest preparations is inhaling fumes of boiling water alone or preferably with  some Vicks in it. can work as a fast decongestant.

PREPARING FOR WINTER ILLNESSES

Every year around this time, pediatricians start to see a steady stream of sniffling, coughing, feverish children. Still, many parents wonder whether they really need to be bringing their children in for garden-variety winter illnesses. Should they be concerned, or will the problem resolve on its own? How long should they wait before bringing the child to doctor?

Illnesses in children are as much a part of winter as cold weather. Among the most common seasonal illnesses we see are viral respiratory infections (influenza and respiratory syncytial virus), streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), and viral gastroenteritis. While many of these diseases are unavoidable, there are things we can do to help keep them at bay and make our children a bit less miserable when they are sick.

Influenza (“The flu”)

When most people think of winter illnesses, they think of the flu--and with good reason. Flu is a very common cause of both mild and severe childhood illness in the winter. . The good news is that almost all cases of influenza are preventable, influenza can lead to a week of missed school and a lot of coughing and vomiting, but is rarely life-threatening. While antiviral agents are available to treat influenza, they are of modest benefit and are not often used in children.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Winter is also the season for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). While it infects people of all ages, typically causing sore throats and nasal congestion in adults and older children, RSV can cause considerable coughing and wheezing in young children. Infants with RSV infection may also develop pneumonia requiring hospitalization. Fortunately, an RSV preventive antibody is available for children at highest risk of severe RSV infection (former premature infants and infants with congenital heart disease). No effective therapy for RSV infection is available for outpatient use, but symptoms can be treated.

Streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat)

Strep throat is most common in children of late preschool and elementary school age. While many parents expect physicians to prescribe antibiotics for sore throats, streptococcal bacteria cause only about 15 to 25 percent of sore throats; the remainder are caused by respiratory viruses, which are unresponsive to antibiotics. No physician can consistently distinguish between streptococcal pharyngitis and sore throats caused by viruses based on physical examination alone. As such, all children suspected of having strep throat should have their throats swabbed to determine if streptococcal bacteria are present. Children with streptococci in their throats are appropriately treated with antibiotics to reduce transmission of the illness and prevent rheumatic fever.

Gastroenteritis

Outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhea caused by gastroenteritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract) typically occur in late winter or early spring. While most episodes of gastroenteritis in young children are attributable to rotavirus, many other viruses can cause vomiting and/or diarrhea. Gastroenteritis generally gets better on its own, however, young children are at particular risk for dehydration. For this reason, it is especially important for parents of infants and young toddlers to keep on hand a supply of oral rehydration solution. While earlier generations of pediatricians advocated delaying the reintroduction of breast milk (or formula) and solid foods, recent studies suggest the child can return to a normal diet as soon as it can be tolerated. New vaccines for prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis are currently in clinical trials.

Preparing for winter illnesses

Winter illnesses are an inevitable part of childhood. While immunizations and good hand-washing can prevent some illnesses, winter illnesses should be expected in all children. To be prepared, parents should keep on hand acetaminophen (e.g. Paracetamol) or ibuprofen , for treatment of fevers, a large box of soft tissues for runny noses, and, for young children, a stock of oral rehydration solution.  
Seasonal illnesses in children can be stressful for families, but most of these illnesses are mild and will resolve spontaneously. Parents and children should make the best of their times together, even when children are sick. Use sick days as opportunities to read together, listen to music, and talk with your children. Love and attention are powerful medicines. While at times an inconvenience, sick days well spent can result in lasting memories for children and their parents.