It's no wonder that natural cold and flu remedies are popular as modern medicine has yet to offer a cure for these age-old ailments.
WebMD compiled a list of natural remedies that will help alleviate those cold symptoms while your body fights to get through it.
1. Vitamin C. Some studies suggest it can help reduce the duration of cold symptoms by about a day. In one study, participants who were exposed to extreme physical stress and cold weather and who took vitamin C were 50% less likely to get a cold. To help stem a cold, 2,000 milligrams seems to work best, but this high dose may cause diarrhea and stomach upset.
2. Chicken soup. Chicken soup may help cold symptoms in more than one way. Inhaling the steam can ease nasal congestion. Sipping spoonfuls of fluid can help avoid dehydration. And some advocates say the soup may soothe inflammation.
3. Hot tea. Drinking hot tea offers some of the same benefits as chicken soup. Inhaling the steam relieves congestion, while swallowing the fluid soothes the throat and keeps you hydrated. Black and green teas have the added bonus of being loaded with disease-fighting antioxidants, which may fight colds.
4. Garlic. One study showed garlic supplements may help prevent colds when taken daily. However, more research is needed to determine garlic's real effects. But garlic is very nutritious. In addition, it can help spice up your meals when a stuffy nose makes everything taste bland.
5. Saltwater gargle. For a sore throat, the traditional saltwater gargle may have some merit. Gargling warm water with a teaspoon of salt four times daily may help keep a scratchy throat moist.
6. Steam/humidifier. For a heavy dose of steam, use a room humidifier -- or simply sit in the bathroom with the door shut and a hot shower running. Breathing in steam can break up congestion in the nasal passages, offering relief from a stuffy or runny nose.
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