13 Effective Head Colds Home Remedies in 2022

Almost everyone knows what it means to get a head cold.

Runny noses, sneezing, a sore throat, and general exhaustion are the main symptoms accompanying the common cold. This small assortment of issues is enough to curb your daily enthusiasm quite a bit. Sometimes forcing you to take some time off from your usual schedule. However, there are a number of helpful remedies that can get you back on track in no time.

The remedies contained in this list range in effect from absolving you of symptoms to speeding up your recovery outright. You can mix and match those that work best for your own symptoms, to get quicker results.

child-with-head-cold

1. Breathe in Steam

One of the simplest and most effective home remedies for head colds is good, old-fashioned steam. Breathing in steam will work amazingly for head colds, all in a natural and soothing manner. This will help you clear your nasal canals and get rid of the stuffy feeling that a head cold causes. You can breathe in steam in two major ways: by preparing a bowl with hot water and placing your head over the basin with a towel covering you or by enjoying a long, hot, and steamy shower. No matter what way you choose, try to stay in contact with the steam (but be careful to not get burned).

2. Sweet as Honey

If you are into delicious natural remedies for head colds, you have to check out honey. You will be truly surprised to see how many health benefits this sweet serum has, such as antioxidants, and antibacterial and antiviral properties. We recommend that the honey you consume as one of your head cold remedies is raw, organic, and preferably local (commercial honey tends to lose essential properties when it is processed). Be careful not to use honey as a home remedy for a head cold for treating a baby or a child, only for adults.

3. Echinacea Extract

We love Echinacea for a wide range of reasons, especially for its power of being one of the best herbal head cold remedies available. Not only is Echinacea excellent for treating bad head colds, but it is also a genius way to prevent colds from occurring. Its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties will help you get rid of the virus that caused your cold and build up your immune system to stop future colds. If your head cold has other symptoms, like a sore throat, you can combine Echinacea with sage to soothe this pain, as well.

4. Coconut Oil

Ask any individual passionate about natural remedies and he or she will definitely bring up coconut oil and its astounding health benefits. This remedy works as an exceptional treatment for head colds; the process is described by Natural News as: “Rich in medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), coconut oil absorbs directly into viral cells where it breaks apart and disintegrates the protective coating of the virus, effectively killing it.” Specialists recommend that you take one or two tablespoons of coconut oil every day for as long as you experience severe or mild common cold symptoms.

5. Radishes are Rad

If congestion is the worst part of your situation, you should know that radishes act as awesome head cold remedies. Even more so, if you can handle it, horseradish works even better for treating head colds. To get this home remedy right, all you have to do is eat two or three radishes two times a day, on a daily basis. You will slowly but surely escape the claws of congestion and you will find peace and relief. In addition to this, you can also add radishes to your salads, a step that we recommend doing so even after your cold passes. Fun fact: did you know that just 100 grams of radishes equal 24% of your daily recommended value of Vitamin C?

6. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar really is appreciated as the king of all home remedies. I mean, think about it, roughly 8 out of 10 home health issues can be treated with some organic ACV with “the mother”. When it comes to autumn illnesses, apple cider vinegar can help treat cough, chest or sinus infection, as well as head colds. Prevention.com explains that “adding a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, to a glass of water helps to alkalinize the body”, a process you should repeat a couple of times every day until you are no longer sink. This is a fantastic tip to keep in mind when you just start feeling head cold symptoms, so drink up!

7. Vitamins

As far as head cold remedies are concerned, vitamins have been a slight subject of debate. While many specialists encourage boosting your intake of Vitamin D and Vitamin C when undergoing a head cold, many studies do not have conclusive results regarding their effects. Taking vitamins in healthy amounts will not ruin your state of health, even more, it is just that we cannot offer 100% certainty regarding their effectiveness. Nevertheless, multiple reviews presented positive feedback about using vitamins as head cold remedies, so here are some of the best natural sources you can look into:

Vitamin D: cod liver oil, swordfish, salmon, tuna fish, or milk/orange juice/yogurt fortified with Vitamin D.

Vitamin C: papaya, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, strawberries, pineapple, oranges, kiwi, cantaloupe, or cauliflower.

8. Chicken Soup for the Soul

It’s no wonder why chicken soup has become the most well-known all-head cold remedy. Ever since we were little kids, our mothers would always whip up a pot of delicious, hot, homemade chicken soup to soothe our aching symptoms (remember that every head cold was a genuine tragedy for us as children). Now that we are all grown up, we can make our own mouth-watering chicken soup at home. We sincerely recommend that you make your soup from scratch, no matter how tempted you may be to buy an instant soup. Add veggies for even more nutrients and enjoy hot, making sure the temperature is bearable.

9. Soothe Your Sinuses

Sinus congestion is one of the worst parts of having a head cold. Countless sources suggest that one of the best ways of soothing your sinuses is to prepare some hot packs at home. Take a clean cloth and wet it in some water until it becomes damp. Take the cloth and place it on a clean surface in your microwave for around half a minute so it can warm up. Gently place the homemade hot pack on your sinuses, testing it on your skin before fully placing it down. This remedy is known to offer great relief for individuals with sinus problems.

10. Neti Pot

Even though #10 on our list of head cold remedies is more of a product than a remedy itself, the Neti pot is an indispensable item for those who love natural solutions for health problems. You can use a Neti pot for a reliable salt water rinse that you can prepare in a matter of minutes. Web MD explains that all you have to do is mix three teaspoons of salt (make sure it’s iodide-free) with one teaspoon of baking soda. Take one teaspoon of this mixture and add it to eight ounces of lukewarm water (either distilled or boiled beforehand). Use a Neti pot to place the saline water mix into your nostril and let it drain, one nostril at a time.

11. Goldenseal for the Gold

Goldenseal is yet another one of the head cold remedies. Everyday Roots describes that “its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties are most likely contributed by its isoquinoline alkaloids (berberine – can stimulate contractions, so do not take goldenseal in any form if you are pregnant, canadine, and hydrastine). To master this home remedy, prepare two teaspoons of goldenseal and one cup of water. Boil the water and add the two teaspoons of goldenseal to make tea, allowing it to steep for about fifteen minutes. You can add a bit of lemon or honey for some flavor, just make sure that you consume this goldenseal tea two to three times a day.

12. Consume Liquids

Even though we all should know by now how important it is to frequently consume liquids, especially when we have a head cold, so we can maintain our health. However, this remedy is sometimes overlooked by even the most attentive of us. We have to keep our bodies well-hydrated so they can fight off the virus causing us so much sorrow and stuffiness. You can alternate hot beverages (such as tea) with cool ones (water, sugar-free lemonade, etc.), as long as the cool drinks are at a decent temperature. Consuming liquids also means that you can eat them, so go back to #8 and consider enjoying a bit more chicken soup than usual.

13. Rest & Relax

This home remedy is one that most of us would give anything to practice more frequently. Plenty of rest and relaxation are the true keys to recovery. Your body needs to be well-rested so it can do its magic and fight off the virus, just be careful to rest in a warm environment, as far away from cold as possible. Stock up on those blankets and pillows!