Here are some ways to help fight a cold before you and your family gets ill, and some ways to speed up the recovery time if you do get sick. These are all simple and inexpensive cures that require nothing more then cutting and boiling.

Growing up it seemed that no matter what was wrong with my brother and I, my mom always had something with a nasty taste or smell that would heal any cuts and scrapes and I swear if I came home with plague she would have made some kind of bubbling potion that would cure it.

Vitamin C
The first thing someone will tell you to do when you have a cold is drink plenty of hot tea with lemon. This is because lemon contains vitamin C. when taken in times of health it can help keep your immune system strong so the body can fight off the germs that cause a cold, but once you have a cold it also help shorten the duration f the cold and helps relieve the symptoms of the cold as well.

Chest Cold:
Garlic soup is a great way to help open up the repertory system and make breathing easier while killing the germs that causes the cold at the same time. The garlic hold antiseptic properties that helps the body rid itself of its unwanted guests, the oil the in the soup opens the airways, and by adding a tablespoon of onion juice you can flush all the unwanted toxins from your body by sweating them out.

Ginger:
Ginger is another way to lower a fever. It is prepared by cutting up about ¼ of an ounce of ginger and then boiling it in water. Then strain the brew into a glass and add some sugar. A tastier but less effective way is to just cut up a few small pieces of ginger and putting them in a glass. You then pour boiling water into the glass and then put a tea bag into the water. Ginger should be used twice a day to lower the fever then once a day till the cold is gone.

Diet:
Many moms go by the old adage feed a fever starve a cold, and this is still good advice today. When the patient has a fever it is best to just give them water, fruit and vegetable juices mixed with some water. A fever can make the body sweat and burn off much energy and without plenty of fluids your body will start to dehydrate, which can prolong and worsen the problem.

Seeds and Nuts:
After the fever goes down it is permissible for the patient to resume eating solid foods, but it is best to stick with fruits, vegetables seeds and nuts, and avoid things like dairy and meats for the first day or two.

Go for the Source:
All of the remedies so far have been ways to relieve the effects of the cold, but this remedy is aimed at curing the entire cold. The Bitter Gourd Root is made into a past and mixed with homey. For every 1 teaspoon of Bitter Gourd Root add 1 teaspoon of honey. Take a tablespoon of the mixture every night for 30 days to rid yourself of the cold germs and to help rebuild your immune system.

End All Cure All:
This really is the best home remedy I have ever seen. Turmeric not only gets rid of the cold in a few days, it also knocks out all the symptoms like sore throat, runny nose and congestion. Turmeric can be bought as a powder, put half a teaspoon of Turmeric in a sauce pan with a cup of milk and bring it to a boil on a low flame. When the milk begins to boil take some good strong sniffs of the steam your nose will almost instantly begin to open up, and after drinking the concoction you will star to feel better. Drink 2 cups a day for 3 days and you will be back on your feet in no time.

These were just some of my mom's old home remedies, and with winter approaching I hope that they will help you get thru the winter feeling happy and healthy.

Ella Philipini writes online casino reviews for when she is not working at the health store. She loves to play rummy and indulges in other sports.