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First aid for colds at home
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Most often, colds are encountered in the autumn-spring period. This is due to unstable weather, temperature changes, hypothermia of the body and a decrease in the protective properties of the immune system. Based on this, it is very important to start treating a cold in a timely manner, preventing its further development.
First aid at home includes rinsing the nasopharynx and gargling, steam inhalations, compresses, baths, hot decoctions and infusions, herbal teas.
To treat cough and boost immunity
- Peel a large lemon and cut into slices. Grind 300 g of ginger and mix with lemon. Add 200 g of honey to the herbal mixture, pour into a jar and leave to infuse for 2-3 hours. Take 1 teaspoon per day in pure form or as an additive to tea. [ 1 ]
- Grind 4-5 cloves of garlic to a mushy state and mix with the same amount of honey. Put the herbal mixture in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Take 1 tablespoon before bed for a week. [ 2 ]
- Place fresh raspberries in a 500 ml glass jar and fill with vodka. Put the mixture in the refrigerator for 1-2 months. Take 2 teaspoons with tea at the first symptoms of illness. [ 3 ]
To eliminate elevated temperature
- Take 30 g of poplar buds and pour 500 ml of boiling water, let it brew for 30 minutes. Add a couple of lemon slices and a teaspoon of honey to the infusion. Take as tea ½ cup 3-4 times a day.
- Brew a tablespoon of dried clover flowers or grass with 200 ml of boiling water. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then add 1-2 teaspoons of honey. Take the finished drink 1-2 times a day.
- Brew a couple of tablespoons of coltsfoot in 500 ml of boiling water and let it brew for 30 minutes. Take 3 tablespoons 3-4 times a day.
For sore throat and cough
- Pour 300 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of fresh mint leaves and simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Strain, add a teaspoon of honey and fresh lemon to the decoction. Drink as tea before bed.
- Crush a head of garlic and squeeze out the juice to get a teaspoon. Pour the juice into a glass of warm milk and stir. Take a tablespoon 3-5 times a day.
You can also do water treatments at home. Baths with essential oils or herbal decoctions will be useful. A solution of salt, soda and iodine can be used to gargle. Badger fat, turpentine and camphor oil are suitable as a rubbing agent. Essential oils, soda solution, boiled potatoes or freshly squeezed onion juice are used for inhalations. If there is no improvement within 2-3 days of home therapy, then you should seek medical help.
Folk remedies for the first signs of a cold
One of the most common ways to combat the first symptoms of a cold is folk methods. Let's look at popular and effective treatment recipes:
- Grind 500 g of red/black currants or cranberries and squeeze out the juice. You can add a couple of spoons of natural honey to the liquid and take it at the first signs of illness.
- Take five tablespoons of rose hips and pour a liter of cold water over them. Boil over medium heat for 10-15 minutes and let it brew for 8-10 hours. Strain and take 250 ml every 2-3 hours during the day. To improve the taste, you can add honey or sugar to the infusion. It is recommended to drink the decoction for 5-7 days, rinsing your mouth with warm water after each dose.
- Take equal proportions of honey, rose hips, raspberries and currants. Pour 100 ml of boiling water over the herbal mixture and let it brew for 10-15 minutes. Strain and take 2-3 times a day, ½ glass before meals.
- Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of dry grass and rhizomes of marsh cinquefoil and let it brew for 60 minutes. Strain and take 50 ml 3-4 times a day warm.
- Take coltsfoot flowers and viburnum fruits in a 1:2 ratio, pour 500 ml of boiling water. Boil for 5-10 minutes, strain. Take the drink hot, 1-2 cups before bed.
- Mix peppermint leaves, black elder flowers and linden flowers in equal proportions. Pour 500 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of the mixture and simmer over medium heat for 5-10 minutes. After cooling, strain and take 2-3 glasses during the day.
- Pour 20 g of dry, crushed eucalyptus leaves with 50 ml of alcohol and close in a tight container for 7-8 days. Strain and squeeze out the plant residue. Take the finished tincture 20-25 drops, diluted in ¼ glass of warm boiled water.
- Pour 300 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of dry crushed blackcurrant leaves and let it brew for 3-4 hours, strain. Take ½ cup warm, 4-5 times a day.
Before using the above recipes, you should consult a doctor so that he can assess the risk of developing allergic reactions to herbal ingredients. [ 8 ]
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