Household remedies for colds

Our immune system is stronger than we think. This explains why a cold is normally easy to get the better of. However, it’s still important not to let a cold carry on for ever. Discover our household remedies to ease the symptoms and speed up recovery.

Rosalie Mutter

12 November 2021 | 2 Min. Reading Time

Tips to ward off colds

The blocked nose, sore throat and dull headache that come with a cold are a real nuisance. But a few simple household remedies and tips are often enough to ease the unpleasant symptoms. Little effort – great effect.

Take a bath: a hot bath is pleasantly warming and has a sweat-inducing effect.
Inhale: warm water with camomile or essential oils is ideal for inhalation. Inhaling eucalyptus, for example, promotes circulation.
Get plenty of sleep: sleep is the best way of regenerating the body and giving the immune system a boost.
Fresh air: even if you don't necessarily feel like it, a breath of fresh air provides the body with oxygen.
Drink plenty: drinking enough is key with a cold. Lime blossom tea is particularly good.

Household remedies for colds

There’s one thing that counts above everything else, and that is rest. In addition, relief can be found from herbal remedies and tricks that have been helping people with coughs and colds for many decades.

Elderflower tea

The classic tea for a cold consists of hot water infused with fresh elderflower and spiced up with ginger. The warming effect is quickly felt. Lime blossom is a good alternative. Lime blossom tea is fever-reducing, sweat-inducing and anti-inflammatory.

Teas for colds

A cough can be annoying and even become painful over time. To stop it getting to that point, try drinking thyme tea. This disinfects the mucous membranes and has an expectorant effect. A dash of lemon juice can be added too.

Tea for a sore throat

A remedy with a long tradition is sage. As a gargle, it soothes a sore throat and has an antibacterial effect.

Put 3 teaspoons of sage tea in a cup.
Add boiling water.
Allow to steep for 10-15 minutes.
Then gargle and repeat several times a day.

Tip: add a little honey. This cleans the throat and speeds up recovery.

Nasal wash

We all know the unpleasant feeling of a nose that doesn't stop running. A nasal wash can provide relief. Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 1/2 litre of lukewarm water and rinse your nose several times a day. If treating small children, use a dropper to insert the wash into their nostrils.

A saline nasal wash disinfects the mucous membranes and can reduce inflammation.

Make cough syrup yourself

If lime blossom tea doesn’t alleviate your cough and sore throat, cough syrup may. The powerful duo of lemon and onion will soon have your immune system up to speed again. Onion syrup has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps with sore throats and coughs.

1 tsp. rock sugar
1 organic lemon
1 onion finely chopped

Instructions and shelf-life

Place in layers in a sealable container. After a short time, a syrup will form. Take a spoonful when required. If well sealed, the syrup can be kept for 1 week in the refrigerator.

Children with colds

Children react more sensitively to essential oils (eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil) than adults. Keep dosages low when children suffer from a cold, or are in the same room when essential oils are being used, in order to prevent skin irritations or stomach aches.

When to see a doctor?

Does the patient have a fever and sore throat too? Then it might be flu. Wrapping up warm is the first step towards getting the fever down. If symptoms get severely worse, it’s worth consulting a doctor.