Do you know any home remedies for cold symptoms or ways to avoid catching a cold?
954608
OK, this may be total coincidence, but I used to get colds as much as anyone, and when I moved in with my husband-to-be, we had one HUGE incompatibility: the temperature in the house.  He keeps the house at about 60 degrees in the winter, and 68 in the summer - much colder what I was used to.  But guess what?  I stopped getting colds?  In 20 years, almost to the day, I have gotten maybe 4 colds, honestly.  So my advice is turn down the thermostat!
237889
Try mixing honey with some lemon juice.  That works well for me when I have a sore throat, and it usually doens't develop into a cold if I start that as soon as my throat starts hurting.
11235
When you feel the cold just starting, drink a shot (one is enough) of any 80 proof alcohol (hope you're over 21 ;). If you were late and the cold is full blown, drink lots of fluids. Common cold is a virus, and viruses wash away. Try tea with lemon or honey, chicken soup is excellent. Avoid things that make you thirsty: carbonated drinks, coffee etc. If you can tolerate warm milk, it's a great thing to have. My colds don't last for more then two days.
572489
Once you have a cold, there's nothing you can do but let it run its course.  What you can do to ease the discomfort is drink lots of fluids(orange juice for vitamin C) and eat chicken soup.  Other than that, just try to relax and wait it out.
614212
A mild sore throat associated with cold or flu symptoms can be made more comfortable with the following remedies: \n\nIncrease your liquid intake. \n\nWarm tea with honey is a favorite home remedy. \n\nUse a steamer or humidifier in your bedroom. \n\nGargle with warm salt water several times daily: ¼ tsp. salt to ½ cup water. \n\nTake over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol Sore Throat®, Tempra®) or ibuprofen (Motrin IB®, Advil®).\n\nI hope that helps.
1006415
'Wrap up' advice to stop colds\nScientists say cold noses reduce ability to fight virus attacks\n\nMonday, November 14, 2005; Posted: 4:47 p.m. EST (21:47 GMT) \n\nLONDON, England (CNN) -- British researchers into the common cold say "catching a chill" really does help colds develop -- and are advising to "wrap up warm" to keep viruses at bay.\n\nMothers and grandmothers have long warned that chilling the surface of the body, through wet clothes, feet and hair, causes common cold symptoms to develop. \n\nBut much previous research has dismissed any link between chilling and viral infection as having no scientific basis. \n\nNow researchers in Cardiff, Wales, say they can prove drops in temperature to the body really can cause a cold to develop. (Watch what they did to 'chill' people in the study -- 3:24)\n\nClaire Johnson and Professor Ron Eccles, from Cardiff University's Common Cold Center, recruited 180 volunteers, half of whom they got to immerse their feet in ice and cold water for 20 minutes.\n\nThe other 90 in tests during the common cold "season" sat with their feet in an empty bowl. \n\nDuring the next four or five days, almost a third (29 percent) of the chilled volunteers developed cold symptoms -- compared to just 9 percent in the control group, the scientists said. \n\nProfessor Eccles said there was a simple explanation as to why chilly feet could lead to the development of cold virus symptoms. \n\n"When colds are circulating in the community many people are mildly infected but show no symptoms," he said, according to the UK's Press Association. \n\n"If they become chilled this causes a pronounced constriction of the blood vessels in the nose and shuts off the warm blood that supplies the white cells that fight infection. \n\n"The reduced defences in the nose allow the virus to get stronger and common cold symptoms develop. \n\n"Although the chilled subject believes they have `caught a cold' what has in fact happened is that the dormant infection has taken hold." \n\nThe researchers, writing in the UK medical journal Family Practice, said that common colds were more prevalent in the winter than the summer, and this could be related to an increased incidence of chilling causing more clinical colds. \n\nBut they also suggested that another explanation could be that our noses are colder in the winter. \n\nProfessor Eccles added: "A cold nose may be one of the major factors that causes common colds to be seasonal. \n\n"When the cold weather comes we wrap ourselves up in winter coats to keep warm but our nose is directly exposed to the cold air. \n\n"Cooling of the nose slows down clearance of viruses from the nose and slows down the white cells that fight infection. \n\n"Mothers can now be confident in their advice to children to wrap up well in winter." \n\nCardiff's Common Cold Center says it is the world's only center dedicated to researching and testing new medicines for the treatment of flu and the common cold.
517732
Colds are caused by a virus...so there really isn't any medicine that will help. Bolster your immune response with lots of vitamin C, get plenty of rest and eat some Chicken Soup. Stay well hydrated too.
24709
First, I assume you meant "fignt a cold."  I've found Zicam products to be excellent in warding off a cold.  There are several kinds, but the Zicam brand is all good.  There's another product called "Airborne" that's great.  Both of the above are homeopathic, non-toxic, and no side effects.  Can't beat that.
104768
Oranges are good.  Also those Zinc pills when you feel a cold coming on.\n\nWhen I feel a sore throat starting to take root I drink some hot tea with honey and a touch of lemon.  Also I will Wear a warm scarf around my throat when I go to bed.\n\nDrink plenty of fludis.  Jucies, teas, water.  Stay away from sodas.
451037
Drink a lot of orange juice.  They also have cold lozenges at the pharmacy that contain zinc, they are suppose to reduce the length and symptoms of a cold.  Good luck.  Also don't over due it on the vitamin C, it can upset your stomach.
852878
To get a cold, you need to get a version of a cold virus into the nose or eye ducts. Touching your nose is enough if you have touched a virus from something like a door handle.\nWorrying, and stress weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to colds.\nAn healthy diet, plenty of fruit and veg, and water aids the immune system.\n\nIf somebody sneezes in your presents the best avoidance advise, is to temporarily breath through your mouth.\n\nChristmas is a common time for lots of people to get colds, partly because they are trying to do too much, it becomes stressful, partly because lots of people meet around that time, and cold viruses abound. People are most infectious before they have obvious symptoms.
673344
I have suggested many of the following natural treaments for cold with great success. \n\nAmp up on Vitamin C and Zinc. Drink a glass of hot green tea with Echinacea and Honey in the morning.\n\nEat only fruits and vegatables during the day plus avoid mucous creating foods such as milk, bread and cheese. Fast from eating meat as your digestive system needs to be ridding itself of toxins and meat will slow down the process. Avoid refined sugar in sugary drinks.\n\nAdd a tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, and one or two drops of wild oregeno oil to a glass of apple juice, pomogranete juice or grape juice three times a day. Add cayenne if you have mucous in your chest, eyes, ears, nose or throat. Drink six glasses of distilled water each day. Drink three glasses of clean water with 1/4 tablespoon of unrefined sea salt.\n\nDrink a glass of hot Green tea with Echinacea and Honey in the evening with Camomile and take a hot bath before you go to bed. Sit in a bathtub with hot water. Add a cup of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon cayenne. Sweat out the toxins and go to sleep.\n\nAll sickness comes from the gut. By alkalizing your body and cleansing you will not only cure your cold but also give your body, gut, and skin a wonderful treat.\nSource(s):
260125
You can try taking large amounts of Vitamin C, A and E.  If you own a juicer, try a carrot/apple juice combination.\n\nRealistically, however the only thing I've found to work is Zicam.  It is an over-the-counter zinc nasal spray that is proven to shorten colds.
318529
normal cold 'remedies' dont make your recovery any more productive. they just delay it. you have to get all the bad stuff out of your body naturally.  Get lots of rest, take vitamin c, echinecia, and zinc to keep your immune system stong, drink lots of water and blow your nose often to flush the cold out, and if you have a sore throat drink tea with honey in it to soothe it
186670
Try salt water gargling or steam inhalations. Avoid icecreams and other cold stuff. Hot soups definately do alleviate the cold. If too bad try an anti-histamine tablet. It helps.
762537
Ask a herbal medicine expert. Ginger is used to cure common cold.\nJust like hot chicken soup is used for fighting a cold.
622631
Seems as if you're immune system needs a little lift. try Airborne, its a tablet you submerge into liquid and drink. It contains vitamins and minerals to help your body fight off colds. You can try buying vitamins, or go see a doctor.