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.
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