How to Cure a Cold Fast

Although it's not a very serious virus, the common cold can make you feel miserable, and leave you wanting nothing more than for it to go away. Unfortunately, there is no cure for a cold, other than time. Despite this, there are many things you can do to ease the symptoms and shorten the duration of a cold. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the most popular, effective and fast-acting cold-relief methods.

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Part One: Decongesting Your Sinuses

Use steam treatments. Steam can be really useful when it comes to clearing your head. The heat of the steam loosens mucus while the moisture from the water helps to relieve dry nasal passages.^[1] Use steam in one of the following ways:
- Take a hot shower. Yes, even if you're feeling under the weather you shouldn't skip your daily shower, as it can actually help to clear a cold faster. Try to turn the water to as a hot a temperature as your can stand and let the bathroom steam up as much as possible. If the heat leaves you feeling a little weak or dizzy, consider bringing a plastic chair or stool into the shower with you.
- Take a hot bath. A hot, steamy bath can work wonders for you when you have a cold -- not just in terms of decongestion, but also in terms of relaxation and heat. Again, try to make the water as hot as possible. If you decide to wash your hair (either in the bath or shower) remember to dry your hair thoroughly afterwards, as damp hair can cause you to lose body heat, which is not good for a cold.
- Alternatively, you can just give yourself a steam facial by boiling a pot of water, then placing your face over the steaming water and holding a towel over your head to keep the steam in. Add a couple of drops of a sinus-clearing essential oil (such as tea tree or peppermint) to maximize the sinus-clearing benefits.

Take an expectorant. An expectorant is a form of over-the-counter medication which clears the sinuses by thinning mucus and loosening phlegm. This will allow you to breathe easier and leave you feeling more comfortable. It will also help you to clear mucus from the airways, which can lessen coughing.
- Expectorants are available over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. They are usually taken in liquid form, but they can also be found as tablets and powders. Ask your pharmacist to recommend which expectorant is best for you.
- Be aware that expectorants, like all medications, may cause a number of side effects. Those most commonly associated with this form of medication include nausea, vomiting and drowsiness. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop taking the expectorant immediately.^[2]

Blow your nose when necessary. It's natural to want to blow your nose when you're feeling stuffed up, but just be careful not to overdo it. While blowing your nose can indeed help to clear the nasal passages of excess mucus, blowing to hard or too frequently can actually have adverse effects.
- In fact, some experts suggest that blowing your nose can lead to a build up of pressure due to trapped mucus, which may even become infected.^[3] You can avoid this by blowing only when absolutely necessary, and by using the correct blowing method.
- The correct blowing method involves pressing one nostril shut with a finger, then blowing very gently to clear the other one. The same process is then repeated on the other side. Make sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap after you blow, to avoid spreading the cold virus.^[4]
- Prevent your nose from becoming irritated due excessive nose blowing by using soft, high quality tissues and by using a little petroleum jelly to moisturize and lubricate the nostrils.

Try using a neti pot. The neti pot is a treatment for clearing nasal passages which has been gaining in popularity over recent years. It uses a saline solution to thin and flush mucus from the nasal passages.
- The neti pot itself is a type of ceramic or clay teapot, which is oblong in shape and can be purchased online or in health food stores. However, any kind of bottle or container with a thin spout can also be used.
- The saline solution used in the neti pot can also be purchased in health food or drug stores. It is sold in packets, in powdered form, so all you need to do is add water. However it is also possible to make your own saline solution by mixing half a teaspoon of kosher salt into a cup of water.
- To use a neti pot, simply fill the pot with the saline solution and, tilting your head to one side (over a sink), insert the spout into one nostril and pour. The solution should flow in one nostril before coming out the other. When the water stops dripping, blow your nose gently, then repeat the process on the opposite side.^[5]

Drink hot fluids. There's nothing more comforting than a hot drink when you're suffering from a nasty cold. But beyond comfort factor, a hot drink can actually help to clear your nasal passages and soothe a sore throat, making it the perfect cold-busting remedy.
- Herbal teas, such as chamomile and peppermint, are a good option, as they are soothing and hydrating. Regular tea and coffee can help to perk you up if you're feeling groggy, but are not as good for hydration.
- One traditional cold remedy which still packs a punch is a simple drink made from warm water, lemon and honey. The warm water clears congestion, the lemon boosts the immune system, while the honey soothes a sore throat. Simply add a slice of fresh lemon to a cup of warm water and add honey to taste.
- Chicken soup has long been the chosen sustenance of cold patients -- and not just because it's comforting and easy to eat. There is actually scientific evidence to back up the idea that chicken soup limits the production of certain white blood cells which contribute to cold symptoms -- so eat as much as you like!^[6]

Use a nasal spray. Nasal sprays can provide immediate and effective relief from congestion, with just one or two quick squirts. They work in two ways: first, they thin and loosen mucus, making it easier to clear your nose; and second, they shrink blood vessels in the nasal passages, widening the airways and making it easier to breathe.
- Nasal sprays can be purchased over-the-counter at your local pharmacy. If you don't like the idea of spraying fluid into your nose, you can also buy nasal decongestants in tablet form.
- Be sure to use the nasal spray only as often as directed. Overuse can actually lead to adverse effects, as too much of the spray may encourage mucus production and lead to infection. Nasal sprays might need to be prescribed before being bought.^[7]

Part Two: Giving Your Body a Break

Take some time off. One surefire way to make your cold drag on and on -- for days or even weeks -- is to continue with your normal routine and not give your body time to recuperate. The best way to get over a cold quickly is just to take a few days off, hole up somewhere warm and cozy, and give your body a break.
- Even if you're reluctant to take time off work, just think of your co-workers -- they don't want you spreading your germs around the office! You're doing them a favor by staying home.
- Aside from that, the common cold is a virus which attacks and weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to contracting other illnesses or your cold becoming worse. Therefore, staying in your home environment is the safest option, at least until you start to feel well again.

Get plenty of rest. Try to remember that your body is doing it's best to fight off the cold virus, and it needs all the energy it can get in order to win. Over-exerting yourself with housework, exercise, travelling, or other physical activities will just prolong the cold and make you feel worse. Ensure that you are getting at least eight hours of sleep a night and take frequent naps during the day.^[8]
- Even if you can't sleep, try curling up on the couch with a warm blanket and a hot drink , Use this time as an excuse to binge on multiple re-runs of Friends or read the entire Harry Potter series. Again.
- When sleeping, try to prop your head up on an extra pillow. It may feel a little strange if you're not used to it, but the raised angle will aid in the draining of your nasal passages. If it really feels uncomfortable, try placing the extra pillow beneath the bottom sheet or under the mattress on your bed, for a less severe angle.^[9]

Stay warm. What's the opposite of cold? Warmth! (Well, sort of). Even though cold weather or "catching a chill" doesn't actually cause a cold (the cold virus does), staying warm during the recovery process will help to speed up your recovery. So turn up the thermostat, light a roaring fire and pile on the blankets -- you'll feel much better soon.
- Despite the benefits of heat, dry heat can actually irritate inflamed nasal passages and sore throats. You can combat this by using a humidifier to add moisture back into the air. This can help to make breathing more comfortable.
- Just be aware that humidifiers can spread pathogens and molds if they are very old or are not cleaned regularly.^[10]

Drink lots of fluids. All that nose blowing and sweating it out under heavy blankets can leave you feeling dehydrated, which can worsen cold symptoms, leading to headaches and dry, irritated throats. Try to drink slightly more than average when you're sick -- whether the fluids come in the form of hots teas, soups, water-heavy fruit and veg (watermelon, tomato, cucumber, pineapple), or just plain ol' water.
- A handy way to check for dehydration is to examine your urine. If it's very pale yellow or almost clear, you're doing okay. But if it's dark yellow, this means that there are higher concentrations of waste in your body that are not being diluted -- which is a sign that you should drink more water.
- Don't overdo it, however. Drinking too much fluid can actually put extra pressure on your liver and kidneys, sapping away energy that would otherwise be used by your body for fighting the cold. Around 8 glasses of water a day should be more than enough.^[11]

Ease a sore throat. Congestion isn't the only nasty symptom you have to contend with during a cold -- dry, tickly, or sore throats can be an equal pain in the posterior. An easy, natural way to deal with this is to gargle a salt solution. The water hydrates the throat, while the antiseptic properties in the salt help to fight infection.^[12]
- Make the solution by dissolving a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. If the taste is too unpleasant for your liking, add a little baking soda to take the edge off the saltiness. Gargle this solution up to four times a day.
- Alternatively, you could use cough suppressing medications, also known as antitussives which are useful in the treatment of dry (unproductive) coughs. These are available over-the counter, in liquid, tablet and powder form. They should not be given to children under the age of four.

Relieve other symptoms using OTC medications. Over the counter medications can help to relive other symptoms associated with colds and flus, such as headaches, muscle pains and watery eyes. Although not everybody agrees with using such medications, preferring to use more natural treatment methods, certain OTC options can help to make you feel more comfortable while you are sick.
- Analgesics such as acetaminophen, aspirin, and ibuprofen can help to ease pains and aches and bring down fever, while antihistamines (which are found in many cold medications) can help to prevent a runny nose and watery eyes.
- It is very important that you never take more than the recommended dosage of any OTC medications, and that you be particularly cautious when it comes to giving medication to children. Aspirin should never be given to children and young teenagers, due to its potential links with Reye's Syndrome.^[13]

Part Three: Using Natural Remedies

Take elderberry syrup. Elderberries are said to be a great natural immune booster, and are therefore very popular as a natural cold remedy. You can use elderberries in a number of ways:
- By taking a spoonful of elderberry syrup every morning. This syrup can be found in most health food stores.
- By adding a couple of drops of elderberry extract (also found in health food stores) to a glass of water or juice.
- Or by drinking elderberry tea - a hot beverage with elder flowers and peppermint leaves.

Eat a spoon of raw honey. Raw honey is an effective natural immune booster which also contains anti-viral properties and soothes sore throats, making it a star ingredient in many natural cold remedies.
- You can eat a spoonful of the raw honey by itself, or stir it into warm water or tea.
- Try to source raw honey from your local area, as it will help your body to develop a tolerance for allergens native to your region. ^[14]

Increase your vitamin C intake. Vitamin C has long been touted for its cold-preventing properties, but did you know it can also help to shorten the duration of a cold?
- Up your intake by drinking orange juice and eating foods like strawberries, kiwis and leafy green vegetables, which have a high vitamin C content.
- You can also take a vitamin C supplement, available in tablet form in drug and health food stores. The recommend dosage is 90 mg a day for men and 75 mg a day for women, according to the National Institutes of Health.^[15]

Take natural supplements. There are certain natural supplements which are believed to help with cold symptoms. While they won't necessarily cure the cold or stop it in its tracks, they can help it to go away faster. For example:
- Echinacea is a herbal supplement which is believed to contain anti-viral properties, aiding in the treatment of respiratory infections. When taken in tablet form it is said to reduce the span of a cold, if taken as soon as the first symptoms appear.^[16]
- Zinc is another natural substance which scientific research has shown to shorten the duration of colds by preventing the virus from reproducing. It can be taken in tablet, lozenge or syrup form.^[17]
- Ginseng is an ancient cold remedy which is scientifically proven to help shorten the duration of colds, while also reinforcing the immune system. It can be taken in supplement form, or the root can be boiled in water to make tea.^[18]

Eat garlic. Garlic boasts an impressive array of health benefits, thanks to its antimicrobial, antiviral and antibiotic properties. There is evidence to suggest that raw garlic can help to relieve cold symptoms, shorten a cold's duration and boost the immune system, thus preventing future colds.
- Garlic can be taken in supplement form, but for the most effective results, it is best taken raw. Crush up a clove of garlic and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes. This allows a compound known as allicin to develop -- a potent anti-bacterial agent which gives garlic most of its health benefits.
- The garlic can be eaten on its own (if you have a strong stomach) or mixed with a little honey or olive oil and spread on a cracker.^[19]

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When you are going somewhere take a small packet of tissues with you.

Take a few cough drops wherever you go. But, don't drink too much cough syrup as it can make you drowsy.

A mix of crushed or grated ginger, lemon juice, a jar of honey and a generous splash of apple cider vinegar makes a great home made cough and sore throat remedy. Try a tablespoon every couple of hours, or every hour if it is a bad cough/sore throat/cold.