Natural Ways to Fight a Cold

It’s the time of year when everyone seems to be catching a cold and no matter how much hand sanitizer you douse yourself in, sometimes there’s no way to avoid getting sick. Here are 4 natural remedies that will help you bounce back from a cold. 

Stay Hydrated

Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration and help relieve congestion. Water, tea and juice are all great options! The teachings of Ayurveda tell us to try drinking hot water. Hot water is easier for the body to absorb and helps to soothe the cold, dry Vata dosha, which can be out of balance when you're sick. Try to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeine - they could delay your healing process. 

Add Ginger

Ginger is one of the best cold remedies because it helps to calm sore throats and clear up mucus. Try drinking ginger lemon tea or if you’re feeling brave, you can eat raw ginger root. Not a big fan of eating or drinking ginger? Add ginger root to boiling water and inhale the steam. 

Rest Up

Getting plenty of sleep is key to helping your body recover. Stay warm and rest often when you feel the first symptoms of a cold coming on. This will let your body focus on fighting whatever sickness you have. Another thing to be mindful of is not pushing yourself too hard. When you’re starting to feel better, you might want to hit the yoga studio or brunch with friends ASAP. But be careful - when we aren’t fully healed yet, pushing our bodies can cause sickness to resurface. 

Use Honey

Honey is great to use when you have a cold because it acts as a cough suppressant. Sore throat? Honey can help with that too! Add honey to your tea along with some lemon to help soothe your throat.