4 Home Remedies To Fight A Cold | The Prescription Shop

The fall and winter months are notorious for viruses like the cold and flu. Unfortunately, catching a cold seems inevitable, despite our best efforts. But once we’re down and out with a cold virus, which home remedies should we turn to and which should we skip? The Prescription Shop wants to give you the inside scoop!

Stay hydrated.
Adequate fluid intake is important to prevent complications from dehydration. It also helps thin mucus–which is helpful in getting well. However, scientists say there’s no evidence that drinking extra water will make a difference in feeling better. So go ahead and get in your 8 glasses a day, but don’t stress about going above and beyond.

Slurp on chicken soup.
Mom was likely right on this one. Since most cold symptoms occur as an inflammatory response, white blood cells called neutrophils are generated as a result. That release of neutrophils tends to increase mucous production. Some research has suggested that chicken soup can inhibit neutrophil movement, and act as a mild anti-inflammatory aid. Need a great recipe? Try this.

Take a spoonful of honey.
Studies have yielded mixed results on the efficacy of honey to help relieve the common cold. In some cases, honey has been shown to do better than prescription cough suppressants to relieve children’s upper respiratory tract infections. Other studies have shown honey to fare better than no treatment, and some experts recommend its use for natural antibacterial properties. If you’re not diabetic, go ahead and add it to your toast or tea when you’re fighting a cold.

Go for some ginseng.
Ginseng is a well-known immune booster in Eastern medicine. Studies indicate it can reduce the incidence of a cold by as much as 25 percent, and can shorten the length of illness by six days. You can try ginseng tea, steep the root in soup, or stir the powder into oatmeal. You can learn more about ginseng here.

This season, The Prescription Shop wants to help you feel your best–even when you’re fighting off a cold. Stop by this week to take care of your family’s health needs and be sure to visit our website to learn more about our services like prescription delivery.