Cold season is right around the corner, and people young and old will begin to fight the sore throats, runny noses, and coughs that come with it. Many different medications are available to help fight colds, but sometimes running to the store isn't convenient.
Would you believe you probably have a few items at home that can effectively relieve your cold symptoms? Check out the six home remedies below that may help bring your stubborn cough under control.
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1. Honey. Who would have guessed that honey would be just as good at suppressing a cold as dextromethorphan? According to the Mayo Clinic, 2 teaspoons of honey will work just as well as the over-the-counter cough syrups containing dextromethorphan at soothing the nagging cough.
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2. Chicken noodle soup. Dr. Oz and WebMD both agree that chicken noodle soup is great for soothing a cough. The warm liquid helps keep the mucus moving, and the steam helps thin the mucus. The spices in it help break down the phlegm, so it's easier to cough out.
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3. Lemon and honey. Another age-old remedy is lemon and honey. Try using warm lemon water with 2 teaspoons of honey for a cough. The lemon helps break up the phlegm, while the honey soothes the cough.
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4. Peppermint. Although the jury is out as to whether peppermint by itself will fully calm a cough, you can give it a try. You can try simply drinking peppermint tea and inhaling the steam from it to help open the sinuses at the same time, or you can make a steam bath by adding 3 to 4 drops of peppermint essential oils to 150 milliliters of hot water.
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5. Salt water. Most of you have probably heard the old-fashioned remedy of gargling salt water, but you may have dismissed it as just an "old wives' tale." Gargling salt water actually helps relieve the symptoms of a sore throat and may help prevent further infection. Here's a common recipe for a saltwater gargle: Mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon salt in 8 ounces of warm water.
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6. Pineapple cough syrup. Pineapple syrup is trending as a cough syrup right now, but there is no actual scientific study that shows it actually works. The good news is that the cough syrup won't harm you and the honey in it is known to help. Here's one recipe: 1 pineapple cut and cored, 1 tablespoons honey, 1 lemon juiced, 3 inches of ginger root peeled and chopped, 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper. Blend all of this together until smooth and use the syrup as needed.
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The next time a cold decides to descend upon you or your family, grab some honey and lemon, and make yourself an elixir. You can save yourself a trip to the store, and know that it's healthy at the same time!