While they’re usually no great cause for concern, coming down with a bout of the common cold (or, worse, the flu) is still not a walk in the park. Congestion affects breathing, coughs interrupt sleep and a sore throat makes it hard to eat.

The good news is that colds often disappear on their own. The catch is, how long colds stick around will depend on how strong your immune system is. But it doesn’t hurt to speed things along with the help of remedies.

Here are eight tried-and-tested home remedies for getting rid of a cold or stopping one in its tracks:

Drink more water

Symptoms like chills and runny noses typically cause dehydration. In severe cases, symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting may also drain your fluids. You need to replace these lost fluids because they play important roles in various bodily processes, including the maintenance of your body temperature, digestion and circulation.

So drink more water than you usually do when you have a cold or feel one coming on. Take note that coffee and tea are dehydrating because of their caffeine content. So it’s best to avoid them when you’re sick.

Take probiotics

Fermented foods like pickles and kefir contain live microbes called probiotics. Probiotics are often discussed in relation to their benefits for gut health. But multiple studies have shown that probiotics help strengthen your body’s natural immune response to invading bacteria, disease-causing viruses and other harmful microbes.

For a delicious and nutritious source of helpful probiotics, add yogurt to your daily diet or snack on homemade pickles. Other foods rich in probiotics include miso, tempeh and kombucha.

Get rest

Some people like to exercise when sick, while others prefer to stay in bed. Our bodies are different, so it pays to listen to yours. If your symptoms are making you miserable, get some rest. Rest helps your immune system fight off a cold more effectively. If you must work out, opt for gentle stretching or breathing exercises.

Take vitamin C

Once a disease-causing microbe has invaded your body, you need to give your immune system extra support so that it can better fend off the attack. One nutrient hailed for its immune-boosting effect is vitamin C.

There is evidence that vitamin C can reduce both the severity and duration of a cold by boosting immunity. Try adding fresh lemon wedges to your water for a dose of vitamin C or snack on citrus fruits.

Do a coffee enema

Proponents of colon cleanses believe that removing toxins, waste products and other harmful compounds from your colon can help strengthen your immune system. One such kind of colon cleanse is a coffee enema. This treatment involves introducing a mix of water and coffee to the colon by inserting a tube into the rectum.

Drink herbal tonics

Herbal tonics can also help relieve colds fast thanks to the amazing compounds in the herbs themselves. Below are all the cold-fighting ingredients you need for an anti-cold tonic. Blend and drink as often as needed.

• 2 peeled garlic cloves
• 2 peeled grapefruits
• 2 organic apples
• 1 fresh lemon
• 1 piece ginger
• 2 cups berries

Eat nutrient-dense soups

Chicken soup is a tried-and-tested cure-all for the common cold. Experts find that this cold-fighting effect may have something to do with a molecule called carnosine in chicken. Studies suggest that carnosine may help reduce that stuffy, congested feeling you get in your nose or your throat when you’re down with a cold.

You can also blend together the following ingredients for another delicious and cold-fighting soup:

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 piece ginger
• 1 avocado
• 1/2 red onion
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup green cabbage
• 1 cup purified water
• 1/2 cup cucumber
• 1/2 cup parsley

Infuse food with astragalus

Astragalus is an herb used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to strengthen the immune system. It is especially well-known for its protective effects against bacterial and viral infections.

The best way to enjoy astragalus is to add slices of fresh astragalus root to soups and stews or drink it like a tea. Many health food stores also carry astragalus extract in the form of drops, tablets or powder. To use astragalus extract, mix a few drops in a glass of water or dissolve enough powder in water. Follow the recommended dose.

Coming down with a cold isn’t a pleasant experience. Treat a cold fast with these natural and effective remedies that help boost your immune system.

Sources:

NaturalHealth365.com

NewsNetwork.MayoClinic.org

Cochrane.org

MedicalNewsToday.com

BBCGoodFood.com

HuffingtonPost.ca