Head cold is a common cold usually affecting the mucous membranes of the nasal passages. It is characterized by headaches, congestion and sneezing. It is a viral infection that, despite being minor, can turn out to be quite irritating and bothersome. It is the world’s most common infection. One experiences a congested respiratory tract, headache and heaviness in the head during the duration of the infection. Though there is no known cure for the infection, there are a number of home remedies that will alleviate the tell tale symptoms and make the cold far more bearable.
Lime juice mixed with a glass of warm water and a teaspoon of honey is an age old remedy to treat a head cold. It helps clear the respiratory tract and is an ideal remedy for the cough that usually accompanies a head cold. Garlic is another excellent cure. Boil finely chopped garlic in water for a long time to make garlic soup. Drink the soup two to three times a day. You will start feeling a lot better within a day itself. Alternately, you could also mix garlic oil with onion juice, dilute the mixture with warm water and drink it several times a day. Garlic is a surefire healer when it comes to head colds. Another timeless remedy is the use of ginger. This can be consumed in the form of ginger tea. Use a lot of ginger, grind it and boil in water for a very long time. Drink the tea at frequent intervals throughout the day to get optimum results from this treatment. You could also chew on ginger, slowly extracting the juice.
Another effective remedy for immediate relief is the practice of steaming. Steam heats up the respiratory system, expands it, and also dilutes the congestion thus cleaning up your congested respiratory tract. It is also an effective remedy for the feeling of heaviness in the head and headache. Boil water in a steamer or any big vessel with a narrow mouth and keep your nose directly over the steam that rises from the boiling water. Cover yourself with a blanket to stop the steam from escaping into the air. A few drops of eucalyptus oil added to the boiling water will make the steaming process even more beneficial. Turmeric powder too is effective in treating a head cold. Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a cup of warm milk and drink it several times a day. One could also drink black pepper tea to get relief. Boil black peppers with sugar and water and drink the strained mixture for to five times a day.