When you catch a cold, you want to get rid of it quickly. Especially when it’s so close to Christmas.
Getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated are two of the best and most proven ways to feel 100 percent back.
But according to experts, there are other, slightly more unusual ways to deal with a runny nose, sore throat and barking cough…
Most colds last about a week, and while there’s no miracle cure, experts have found that drinking tea, taking a hot shower, and even eating a curry can help relieve symptoms
take a hot shower
A warm bath or shower can relieve pain, one of the nasty side effects of insects silently lurking this winter.
And staying warm, according to Dr. Simon Clarke, an infectious disease expert at the University of Reading, actually help reduce cold symptoms.
He said, “If you’re feeling cold and need to raise your body temperature, a bath or shower is one way to do it.”
Not only does it warm you up, but the steam in a shower also unclogs your congested sinuses by thinning the mucus. This makes it easier to run.
Pharmacist Thorrun Govind suggests filling a bowl with hot water and inhaling the steam to get the same benefits.
She said, “Breathing deeply from a bowl of water can thin the phlegm and help it drain a little better.”
The hot water in a shower or bath also increases blood flow, which relaxes and soothes your muscles — and relieves you of those telltale aches and pains.
Not only does it warm you up, but the steam in a shower also clears your congested sinuses by thinning the mucus, making it easier to blow your nose
Take a brisk walk
When you’re feeling exhausted, you’re probably reluctant to brave the cold outdoors.
But mustering up the courage to venture outside for a brisk walk could really help, say experts.
dr Clarke adds that a walk and fresh air are always good for your health. But dress warmly this time of year, he insists.
The Mayo Clinic, a US medical research center, says exercise can temporarily relieve your stuffy nose by opening up your nasal passages.
However, not everyone agrees with the logic that going for a walk when you’re sick helps.
Ms Govind said: “They just want to rest and sleep and stay warm.
“You should avoid contact with other people until you feel better.”
Regular exercise also strengthens your immune system over time, which could help you in the long run.
Working up the courage to venture outside for a brisk walk, experts might say. This is because exercising can temporarily relieve your stuffy nose by opening up your nasal passages
Eat a curry
A curry could be the answer to your problems.
dr Clarke said: “I personally think that works.
“I’m not aware of any scientific basis for this, but spicy food just makes you feel a bit more alert.”
He explained one reason could be that the spices irritate your airways, which opens them up.
It clears your nose and allows you to breathe with ease, but Dr. Clarke admits that even experts aren’t 100 percent sure why it works.
Tests by leading cold researchers have also found that eating a madras can help.
The Common Cold Center at the University of Cardiff found that the spicy dish helps with salivation and reduces symptoms of coughs and sore throats.
Curries are packed with virus-busting vitamins.
Ingredients like garlic and ginger, which are added to give dishes an extra kick, are high in zinc, which can help ward off the rhinovirus that causes many colds. Experts don’t think they’ll intervene right away, but they might be able to help.
Experts say a curry can help relieve congestion. They also contain foods that are packed with vitamins that can support your immune system
A nice hot cup of tea or other hot drink can help you feel better. According to experts, it keeps you hydrated and unblocks your airways
Put on the kettle
A cup of coffee can really make you feel better.
Professor Ron Eccles and his team at Cardiff University’s Common Cold Center once studied the effects of consuming a soothing hot drink on a stuffy nose.
The 2008 study in the journal Rhinology found that a hot drink provided instant relief from a runny nose, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chills and fatigue.
But a drink at room temperature only relieved the symptoms of the runny nose, cough and sneezing.
Professor Eccles said: “Any hot, tasty drink will relieve most symptoms of the common cold, especially a sore throat and cough.”
He conducted a clinical study testing the theory about hot currant liqueur relieving a sore throat.
But it doesn’t have to be hot blackcurrant, he said: “Any hot, palatable liquid will encourage salivation and mucus secretion and soothe an inflamed throat.”
Just as a hot shower and moisture in the air can help, the theory is that steam in the hot drink can soften and break down phlegm, allowing you to breathe easier.
Ms Govind said: ‘You need to drink plenty of fluids as this keeps your mucous membranes lubricated.
“We encourage people to drink warm liquids because it can make you feel a little more comfortable.”
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