Common colds are inflammations of the upper respiratory tract and are caused by a viral infection. It is the most common disease in the world, and recurs more often than any other disease. Usually people use lemon, ginger and garlic as simple and precious home remedies for the common cold. Apart from these 3 essential ingredients, you have to know other herbs, fruits and spices that are available in our kitchen, to heal the cold. During the cold season it is easier to catch the cold virus not because of the weather but because this is the season where we spend much time cooped up indoors and in close proximity to the people or the other factors that may carry the cold virus.

Common cold patients are typically advised to fast for one day so that the body toxins wash out. Then the patients can have hot vegetable soups, or steamed vegetables with little or no spices in them. Foods that are difficult to digest such as cheese, yoghurt, milk, oily and spicy foods and sweets must be avoided. The roots of the bitter gourd or karela plant are used in folk medicine to cure a cold. A tablespoon of the root paste, mixed with an equal quantity of honey or tulasi leaf juice, given once every night for a month, acts as a wonderful medicine for colds.The symptoms of a cold appear 18-48 hours after infection. The nose begins to run because the mucous membrane produces an excessive secretion of mucus to prevent the spread of the virus. This excess may fill the sinus cavities, causing a mild headache.

One of the best home treatments for the common cold would be plenty of fluids and long hours of rest. Experiencing colds is not necessarily a disease in itself but is actually a symptom of fatigue and stress. Treating the common cold with zinc nasal sprays or gels has been the subject of several studies and is somewhat controversial. Some scientists and researchers believe that applying zinc directly to nasal membranes can lead to a permanent loss of the sense of smell. Lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C, which is important for proper immune system function. Herbal teas, made from mullein, sweetened with honey and lemon can be very soothing to the throat and can temporarily open clogged breathing passages.

All you need to do is take your daily multivitamin! This provides your body with nutrients and helps it battle off the cold or flu virus. Indulge in hot showers. You may feel the chills come on, but you don't have to take it like a man. Relax in a hot bath or take a long shower to relieve sinus pressure and warm-up. Vitamin C supplementation is considered, by some, to be the best treatment for common cold symptoms, but opinions vary. Some studies have shown that it is an effective preventative; others have shown it to be less effective. Garlic is a popular home remedy for colds. Garlic contains high levels of allicin which has been shown to be antibacterial and antifungal. Fresh garlic cloves should be chopped up for consumption since air activates the allicin compounds.