7 Best Cold Remedies ...

On the top of my list of the best cold remedies is the one and only "rest"! Nothing cures any sickness like some R&R! Sometimes out of my busy lifestyle, regardless of how sick I may get, I tend to keep pushing and fighting until I just completely can't function anymore! This is very bad! This actually makes you sicker, but sometimes you just have to "keep on swimming, keep on swimming." But, you'd be surprised to see how much rest can do for you and your health! Take it from me, take a break and rest!

At the very first sign of cold symptoms, many people reach right for a bottle of Vitamin C supplements. Vitamin C for the common cold is such a widely accepted treatment that we seek it out in lots of products, such as fortified juices, cough drops, and tea. Vitamin C is one of the most vital vitamins we need in our system to maintain our health. But, too much of it can actually be bad! In general, Vitamin C is safe to take when ingested through food sources such as fruits and vegetables. For most people, taking Vitamin C supplements in the recommended amounts is also safe. The RDA or recommended daily allowance is 90 mg for men and 75 mg for women. High doses of vitamin C (greater than 2000 milligrams per day for adults) may cause kidney stones, nausea, and diarrhea. Yikes, so be careful!

Vicks is one of my favorite brands when it comes to the common cold, and this gem provides soothing relief with its menthol and lavender scent! It has many different products, from ointments (like their famous chest rub), inhalers for nasal congestion, and even humidifiers and vaporizers! These products offer a warm sensation to your chest, and help clear any congestion that you may have from the cold. It also helps soothe sore throats and coughs!

One of the greatest natural ways to relieve congestion is through a hot bath... let the hot water run for a few minutes. Close the door into your bathroom or shower room and let the steam do its work! The hot steam helps loosen any mucous or phlegm that may be causing your congestion. It also helps clear out sinus passageways. Although this may only cause temporary relief, it still works wonders!

One of my favorite things to drink when I'm feeling under weather is some hot tea with lemon and honey. Honey helps bring in moisture - so when you have a dry cough, it helps take a teaspoon of honey because it helps moisturize your throat. Both honey and lemon contain antioxidant qualities. Antioxidants fight off free radicals in the body. These free radicals attack the body and cause disease, so eating foods rich in antioxidants can help treat and prevent sickness. Honey is an effective remedy for sore throats because it kills infection-causing bacteria. Lemons also posses an antibacterial quality; by drinking water with lemon, bacteria can be flushed from the kidneys and urinary tract. Alone, honey and lemon can help fight bacteria, but when you combine them into a drink of water, you have a powerful, antibacterial cocktail. Drink up!

Cough drops help soothe sore throats that may be associated with the common cold. From all the excessive coughing, sneezing, and congestion cough drops can help temporarily soothe any discomfort that you might have. Although cough drops don't have any ingredients that can completely rid of your cold, they do have great flavors from honey with lemon, menthol, cherry, etc. Each flavor can help bring a soothing comfort when needed!

When you have a cold it's always important to stay hydrated! Lots of fluids to help drain any of the bacteria you may have in your throat and kidneys. Water will always be your best friend! Drink plenty of water to keep your system flushed. Stay clear from sodas and alcoholic beverages, since these things can irritate your throat. Although ginger ale, and Sprite or 7-Up can help with upset stomachs!

There are many other remedies that I'm sure I've missed. But, these are just a few that have helped me out! What are your favorite remedies? Do you have any medicines or homeopathic treatments that you recommend? Anything that you've tried that didn't work? Let me know what helps you when you're feeling sluggish!