Though frigid temperatures have given way to more amenable weather, make no mistake about it, you can still get a cold.
Perhaps the common cold's calendrical staying power is what motivated the Washington Post to recently reiterate information originally published by Consumer Reports in January. The piece compiles expert opinion on purported home remedies for the common cold.
Here are the do's, don'ts and maybes of home cold remedies, according Consumer Reports.
Chicken soup: To put it simply, soup helps loosen mucus, which will enable it to be more adequately expelled, which can provide the congested nose with substantial relief. Do!
Hot tea: While some have reported hot beverages to be useful in providing relief from runny nose, coughing, chills and sneezing, some experts have chalked this up to placebo effect. But there is evidence that hot drinks can soothe the throat, so...maybe?
A spoonful of honey: Honey has been shown to be useful for cough relief. Though coughing is uncomfortable, it does aide in mucus extraction, so...maybe?
A saltwater nasal rinse: Saltwater shows some potential as a nasal decongestant, but be wary...it may feel a bit strange. Orly Avitzur, MD, Consumer Reports' medical director, said, "I warn people it's like the feeling you get walking into a big wave. But you get used to it." So...maybe?
Dietary supplements: While supplements like ginseng, vitamin C and echinacea have been publicized as cold preventions and useful in symptom control, research on their efficacy has been mixed. Also, the Food and Drug Administration does not thoroughly regulate supplements, which means there is a potential for the unknown. So just don't!
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