How to Stop a Cold When You Feel it Coming On: 6 Methods

Knowing how to stop a cold when you feel it coming could save you a lot of time, exhaustion and illness. These steps will help combat your cold before it can fully surface, with all-natural home remedies.

How to Tell You Might be Getting a Cold

The common cold is, as the name suggests, very common, so many of us will know the signs. The first signs of a cold include a runny nose, a sore and scratchy throat, sneezing, headaches, fatigue, watery eyes, and even a fever.  

These symptoms usually appear between 1 to 3 days after having been exposed to a cold virus. The good news is it might be possible to avoid a cold if you catch it early on. Follow these six steps to stop a cold when you feel it coming on, using all-natural remedies.

1. Consume Spicy Foods or Drinks

If you can handle the heat, then this natural remedy could work wonders when you feel a cold coming. Spices like chilli, turmeric, ginger, cumin, and paprika are all-natural congestion-clearers. Making warming and spicy soups, curries, and broths packed with these spices can really help fight a cold. 

If you are up for it, fresh and raw ginger and garlic are packed with antioxidants and are immune system boosters. They may not be the tastiest remedy, but they are said to be very effective against colds and the flu.

For a homemade cold remedy that packs a punch, check out: Reboot Your Immune System With the Ultimate Fire Cider Recipe

2. Stop a Cold From Coming on With Berries

Berries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which can be great for warding off colds and the flu. Blueberries are especially rich in flavonoids, which help in fighting off colds. Adding fresh berries to your diet is a great tool to help avoid a cold when you feel a cold coming on.  

3. Try Essential Oils and Steam Inhalation

Essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and pine are popular remedies for combating colds. These oils may contain antiviral benefits that could help to reduce fever and treat infections. Plus, their strong scents can help to relieve cold symptoms by reducing headaches and clearing nasal passages.  

An easy way to use these essential oils is to add a few drops to a tissue and breathe them in. Make sure to avoid contact with skin or eyes. 

Better still, if you are able to, inhaling steam using essential oils can be especially beneficial. This will open up nasal passages and help to loosen mucus. 

4. Drink Cranberry Juice to Fight a Cold

Drinking cranberry juice when you feel a cold coming on can be a quick and easy go-to for fighting symptoms. Cranberries are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C to help boost the immune system, have high levels of flavonoids for anti-inflammatory relief and are a source of polyphenols to help reduce cold and flu symptoms. 

5. Gargle Salt Water

Though this one is no one’s favorite, gargling saltwater is a traditional method for avoiding a cold when you feel it coming on. Gargling salt water just before bed may loosen thick mucus and draw fluid from inflamed tissues in the throat. This method is super simple and a very cheap natural cold remedy you can do at home when you feel a cold coming on (just have a glass of cranberry juice ready for after). 

6. Consume Warm Honey and Lemon

Probably the most popular natural remedy for a cold is the sweet and warming combination of honey and lemon. Honey can relieve a sore throat and has antibacterial properties to help fight infection. Fresh lemon juice is packed with vitamin C which is great for boosting the immune system and is also packed with antibacterial properties. 

Combining both of these with warm water is not only delicious, but a natural and healthy way to keep a cold away. Make a cold-fighting tea by combining the two of them.

Read on:

• Natural Home Remedies for Colds: 7 Easy Recipes
• Cough Syrup with Onion Juice and Honey: Homemade Remedy for Coughs
• Boost Your Immune System: 10 Ways to Improve Your Natural Defence System

Important Information regarding Health-related Topics.

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

Tags: Guide Natural Practical Tips Remedy