Best Old Time Cold Remedies
were the basic ingredient in most health remedies used to treat
common aliments. The herb were planted in the spring and dried
in the fall, to be handy for the up coming year. Perhaps using
home remedies was found to be the more prudent way to treat
illness, than a costly trip to the doctor. Home remedies were
used to treat illnesses such as colds, stomach aches, muscle
pain, and more.
Most home remedies included medicinal herbs. The herbs were
combined into concoctions, and by trail and error remedies were
developed. The Tried and true remedies were used and shared with
family, and friends. Many of these old remedies have survived,
and are still used today. The common cold was one such illness
that was frequently treated with a variety of old home
remedies.
Below are some old tried and true remedies to aid with
comforting the common cold.
1. To help sooth a sore throat: Sage mixed with a bit of Alum
1/2 tea dried Sage, a pinch of Alum mixed in a warm 6 oz glass
of water. Gargle several times every few hours.
2. Mix 2 tab. Molasses into a cup of chamomile tea. This drink
can be given at night to sooth one off to sleep with a sweet
tea. The chamomile is also soothing on the stomach, and aids to
promote sleep.
3. Sassafras tea is also great it aid in diminishing fever, and
soothing ones throat.
4. Cold Eeze Lozenges. These are an all natural lozenges that
are made with Zinc. Studies show the zinc will help reduce the
length and severity of a cold. These wonderful lozenges can be
purchased at most drug stores or health food stores.
4. Homemade chicken soup. Helps with congestion, and is thought
to be an all around good cold remedy. (See great recipe below)
5. The wonderful Hot Toddy. Mix piping hot water to a cup, 1/2
shot of whiskey, and 1 tea spoon lemon juice, 1 tea spoon
honey, mix well. The Alcohol has an anti-inflammatory effect on
mucous membranes. Also said to reduce fever, and relieve muscle
aches.
6. Garlic and warm milk. 1 good size glove of garlic crushed
and mixed in 1 cup of warm milk. This concoction is said to
shorten the duration of a cold. An active compound in garlic,
allicin, is known to be a good decongestant. Garlic is also
known to have potent antioxidant properties, so it couldn’t
hurt.
7. Vitamin C. Eat foods that are high in vitamin C. Studies
show taking vitamin C will shorten the length of a cold.
8. Echinacea, the Chinese have been using Echinacea for
centuries for its strong antibiotic properties. World Health
Organization also supports use of Echinacea for use to shorten
the common cold.
9. Cough syrup can be made very easily in your own kitchen.
Slowly boil a lemon with its skin on for about 8 minutes. Cut
the lemon in two parts and squeeze the juice with the use of a
squeezer. Add the lemon juice to a glass. Mix in two
tablespoonfuls of glycerin, (purchase glycerin at your local
drug store or health food store.). Stir lemon juice and
glycerin together. Add 1 tablespoonful of honey. This cough
syrup will real ease a sore throat.
9. Feed a cold; starve a fever. There is a theory that eating
less during a cold may shorten the duration of the cold.
However, nutritionists strongly disagree with this theory,
because the body that is stricken with a cold needs more
nutrients, to aid in fighting off illness.
10. Breathe steam. Steam does help liquefy and loosens mucus.
This mucus helps clear airways, and can decrease nasal
congestion.
11. The Old fashioned mustard plaster helps relieve chest
congestion. To prepare 1 tablespoon dry mustard, 1/4 cup flour
lukewarm water. Sift together mustard and flour in a bowl.
Slowly add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the
plaster on a piece of muslin that is big enough to cover the
chest. Cover with another piece of muslin. Like a sandwich, put
over chest. Check chest in 5 minutes for any signs of allergic
reaction. Remove if skin is showing hives or deep redness. Skin
will be a little pink. Leave on 1/2 hour; remove plaster with
tepid water.
12. Homemade chicken soup. Helps with congestion, and is
thought to be an all around good cold remedy.
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