The best natural cold remedies work together, like two sides in a battle. In fact, fighting a common cold is a bit like fighting in a battle. You need to pull out the big guns from your arsenal. Don’t expect to only take one or two of these remedies and kick that cold.

People have had great success with knocking a cold out fast by using the following techniques. It is important to use them at the very first sign of a sniffle. I’m confident some of these home cold remedies will work for you too. You can also check out there remedies for sneezing, watery eyes, and runny nose.

If your cold involves a sinus infection and/or coughing, make sure you also learn about and include some cough and/or sinus infection remedies as well.

Here’s the list

Garlic

Use lots and lots of garlic [2,3,4]. Chew 2-3 cloves of raw garlic 4-6 times/day. If you don’t have a stomach for that much garlic, you can use some Deodorized Garlic Pills. They will also help to prevent you from stinking. and you will if you eat that much raw garlic, that’s for sure.

A medium sized clove of garlic contains around 25-50 mg [5] alliin (which in your body converts to allicin) so aim to get around the equivalent of two to three cloves each time you take garlic supplements. Believe it or not, taking enough garlic really will cure the common cold. Garlic is the most effective of the best natural cold remedies we have tried. Garlic is also a great cure for many other ailments.

Vitamin C

The most gentle form is sodium ascorbate powder. For Vitamin C by itself to be effective in curing the common cold, you would have to take really large quantities of it, which is supported by relevant research. If you feel comfortable going that route, visit The Vitamin C Foundation to learn about taking mega-doses of Vitamin C. But even in smaller dosage, it is an important player in the battle against the cold.

Personally, we stick to around 5 to 8 grams per day when we are fighting a cold. Learn about Vitamin C rich foods and Vitamin C packed Lemon Juice.

Zinc

Zinc can be helpful and is often advertised as a remedy for fighting cold. Research suggests it can help treat (but not prevent) a cold. However, note that too much zinc can be toxic, so do not go with high doses. Consult with your doctor for the recommended daily dose in your case.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar helps your body thin mucous and expel it. Drink about 2-3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar mixed with water several times a day. Add a tablespoon of honey to make the drink more palatable. Honey offers its own benefits as well, provided that it is real natural honey. This natural cold remedy is sure to help you feel better faster.

Vitamin D

Most colds happen in winter, when many people are notoriously vitamin D deficient. Exposing to sun’s natural UV-b radiation (be careful when you do that, as too much sun too rapidly can be harmful) is the best way to get enough Vitamin D3. If you live in an area where there’s not enough sunlight, the next best way is getting Vitamin D3 pills (together with K2 is the best combination). Increasing Vitamin D3 intake is very effective for fighting colds and other health conditions as well.

Using the combination of natural cold remedies listed above, you will be able to kick a cold flat on its back. In winter, your longest lasting cold could last no longer that 24 hours. Not bad, considering that conventional wisdom states that a cold lasts 7 days if you treat it and a week if you don’t!

You might not have as much success in treating your kids’ colds, but then your kids probably aren’t as willing to subject themselves to foods like raw garlic or apple cider vinegar. However, what you might definitely notice is that their colds are less severe and of short duration than before.

Make your own safe natural cold remedy, by mixing 2-3 cloves of garlic with lemon juice (about 1/2 a lemon’s worth) and 2 tablespoons of honey. Cover the jar and let it sit for 3 days. For children age 2-4, give 1 teaspoon/day, for children age 5 and up, increase to 1 tablespoon each day.[1]

Here are some more natural cold remedies you might want to try:

• Chicken Soup Yes, it really does help. Homemade is far superior to canned as the benefits are in the broth. Save those chicken bones and make your own broth. Here is a step by step introduction into preparing your own healthful (chicken) bone broth.
• Elderberry Extract Elderberry extract has been shown to decrease a cold’s duration. Combine one tablespoon of Elderberry Extract with two oz. of water [2].
• Echinacea is of the most popular natural cold remedies. Consult your doctor about the recommended dosage of Echinacea Capsules. It is usually taken three times a day for no longer than 2 weeks. However, do NOT take echinacea long-term, it may weaken your immune system [2]. Do take echinacea at the first sign of illness, as it won’t be effective if taken once your cold is full-blown. Learn more about the benefits of echinacea.
• Fenugreek helps expel mucous. Drinking Fenugreek Seed Tea several times a day, or takeing capsules, can be effective to expel mucous. Learn more about fenugreek tea and fenugreek herb.
• Goldenseal Goldenseal is another of the great natural cold remedies. It has very potent antibiotic properties. The dosage is one 500-mg capsule three times a day, between meals. Goldenseal works very well in combination with echinacea. [2,4] Take Echinacea Goldenseal for a powerful cold-fighting punch. Learn more benefits of goldenseal.
• Sage Tea Many herbalists feel that Sage Tea is even more effective than goldenseal and echinacea. Drink 1/2 cup of sage tea twice a day, between meals [2], but take care not to drink this for longer than two days, as sage has a very drying effect. Learn more about the sage plant.
• Combining a few drops of tea tree oil with a few drops of coconut oil or olive oil. Warm a washcloth or rag, and apply this salve to the chest. Learn more tea tree oil uses.
• Cayenne Powder will clear your sinuses, so spicy food might be just the thing to feed you cold.[4] Or, you can take Cayenne Capsules
• Horseradish Powder can be added to honey. The honey and horseradish will both fight bacteria, while the horseradish will help clear the mucous.[4]
• Turmeric will help ease a sore throat, so sprinkle a bit on your food.[4] Learn more about how turmeric benefits you.
• Take ginger capsules or brew ginger tea. This provides sinus relief.[4]
• Anise seed, lemon balm and thyme leaves are all wonderful natural cold remedies. Sprinkle the herbs on liberally when fighting a cold.
• Read also this post to learn about other nutrition and juicing for cold and congestion.

Warnings:

Do NOT take fenugreek if pregnant. Use caution if taking garlic while pregnant as there are some studies showing large doses of garlic might cause preterm contractions. Garlic might interfere with the effectiveness of certain medications so consult with your doctor if you are taking prescription medications, especially blood-thinning medications.[5] Do not take large doses of Vitamin C if in the first trimester of pregnancy. Extremely large doses of Vitamin C might cause miscarriage in the first trimester. Do not drink sage tea if breastfeeding. Sage is well-known for it’s damaging effects on milk supply. Echinacea is related to ragweed, so do not use if a ragweed allergy is present.[2]

Kid Tips:

Unfortunately kids (and some people) tend to be very resistant against taking these natural cold remedies. Not many children are willing to chow down on raw garlic. You may have success giving your kids garlic supplements. Vitamin C powder can be easily mixed with drinks like fruit juice, or yogurt, or foods like applesauce. Vitamin D drops are very easy to administer; it’s just one little drop.

References:

[1] Beard, Lillian, M.D. Salt In Your Sock and Other Tried and True Home Remedies New York: Three Rivers Press,2003.

[2] The Doctor’s Book of Herbal Home Remedies Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press, 2000.

[3] Wood, Frank. The Folk Remedy Encyclopedia, Olive Oil, Vinegar, Honey and 1,001 Other Home Remedies. Peachtree City, GA: FC&A Medical Publishing, 2001.

[4] Old Fashioned-Cures and Proven Home Remedies That Lower Your Cholesterol and Blood Preassure, Improve Your Memory and Keep Diabetes and Arthritis Under Control. Peachtree City, GA: FC&A Medical Publishing,2008.

[5] howstuffworks.com/garlic4.htm