Common Cold Remedies:
Find the Remedy that Works Best for Your Family

There’s a saying that’s been around for ages which goes something like this: “There’s no cure for the common cold.” This adage is certainly true, as common cold symptoms are caused by more than 200 different viruses, plus more common cold viruses that have not been identified yet, making it virtually impossible to create a vaccine for the common cold. While there are numerous medications to reduce the symptoms of viruses, there is basically no virus-killing drug similar to antibiotic drugs that kill bacteria. Therefore, common cold remedies are usually limited to reducing symptoms and strengthening the immune system.

From great-grandparents to modern pharmacies, common cold and flu remedies are readily passed down through generations and drug store aisles. The problem is determining which common cold remedies work and which remedy is appropriate for your children. After all, children catch up to 10 colds per year, bringing misery plus many missed school and work days upon the family. When a cold virus enters the household, most parents will try many common cold remedies to help everyone feel better.

First on your list of common cold remedies should be water and other healthy fluids. Water, clear broths, teas, and juices are said to loosen congestion and prevent dehydration from a cold, flu, or even allergies in children. Similarly, gargling with homemade salt water is an effective common cold remedy for a sore, itchy throat. Salt water is also beneficial when used as a nasal rinse through a device like a Neti Nasal Pot, which washes out mucus and can prevent post-cold sinus infections.

It may sound trite, but chicken soup is still touted as one of the best common cold remedies. Studies have shown that chicken soup reduces inflammation and loosens mucus congestion. If you add garlic to your chicken soup, you may be able to reduce recovery time and help little ones feel better faster.

Since cough syrups and other over-the-counter cold medicines have been found to be harmful to children, it may be best for parents to seek out natural common cold remedies like fluids, vitamin C, and the like. Over-the-counter medicines will not cure the common cold anyway, and it’s comforting to know that natural common cold remedies are safer and help the immune system fight off viruses as quickly as possible.