Relieve cold symptoms at home with simple, comforting solutions that actually make a difference. While sneezing, a runny nose, and that heavy feeling in your head may seem minor to some, anyone who’s had a bad cold knows just how miserable it can be. Fortunately, despite being one of the most common illnesses, the cold is often easy to manage without leaving your house. With the right approach, you can ease the discomfort and recover faster. In the sections ahead, you’ll find effective ways to relieve cold symptoms at home, along with insights into how colds develop and why these remedies work.
Common Cold Signs and Symptoms
You may experience a combination of these symptoms:
- Sneezing
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Scratchy throat
- Cough
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Postnasal drip
- Decreased appetite
- Sore throat
- Watery eyes
Fever may or may not be present. Typically, children feel feverish with temperatures ranging from 100°F to 102°F. Before learning how to relieve cold symptoms at home, it’s important to understand how a cold develops in the first place.
Common Causes of Cold
When you come in contact with a cold virus, it can easily infect you and lead to the symptoms listed above. Various types of viruses can cause the common cold, with rhinovirus being the most frequent culprit.
Moreover, individuals with weaker immune systems—such as infants and young children—are more vulnerable to cold infections.
In general, colds don’t last long. Some people recover in just a few days; however, experiencing cold symptoms for a week or more is not unusual. Up next, let’s look at the typical stages of a cold.
Stages of a Cold
Initially, the first one to two days after exposure may be symptom-free. During this time, the virus incubates and multiplies inside your body, undetected by your immune system.
By day three, you may start to feel mild nasal irritation and congestion. This quickly escalates into symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, and muscle aches as the virus continues spreading.
Fortunately, around day six or seven, you start to feel better. This is because your immune system begins producing antibodies that fight the virus. On average, most cold symptoms clear up by day seven or eight.
Cold Trends in the U.S.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu activity in the U.S. tends to peak between December and February—with February seeing the highest activity (17 seasons between 1982 and 2022).
In fact, from September 2020 to May 2021, only 0.2% of over a million clinical samples tested positive for influenza, with 37.5% of cases being influenza A and 62.5% influenza B. This data reinforces the importance of early action to relieve cold symptoms at home and prevent complications.
Natural Ways to Relieve Cold Symptoms at Home
Instead of turning to over-the-counter medications right away, many people prefer to use simple and safe home remedies. These natural methods can be effective, especially when started early. Below are some easy options you can try to relieve cold symptoms at home naturally.
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need:
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- A glass of warm water
What To Do:
- Mix the vinegar into the warm water and drink it
- Optionally, add a teaspoon of raw local honey for better taste
How Often:
- Drink 2–3 glasses throughout the day
Why It Works: Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which helps balance the body’s pH level—creating an environment that is less favorable for viruses. Therefore, it’s a great addition when trying to relieve cold symptoms at home.
2. Epsom Salt Bath
You Will Need:
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- A bathtub filled with warm water
What To Do:
- Add Epsom salt to your warm bath and soak for 20 minutes
- If a bathtub isn’t available, soak your feet in a bucket with 1/4 cup of Epsom salt
How Often:
- Every other day until symptoms ease
Why It Works: A hot Epsom salt bath helps decongest nasal passages and soothe body aches. Additionally, the magnesium boost from the salt may help relax your muscles—making it a perfect way to relieve cold symptoms at home while also relaxing.
3. Essential Oils
You Will Need:
- 4–5 drops of peppermint oil or eucalyptus oil
What To Do:
- Mix and apply the oils to your chest, neck, and forehead
- Alternatively, add a few drops to a warm bath or a diffuser
How Often:
- Apply twice daily for relief
Why It Works: Essential oils can significantly reduce cold symptoms. For instance, eucalyptus oil helps clear nasal congestion, while peppermint oil acts as a natural expectorant. Therefore, using these oils is a powerful way to relieve cold symptoms at home while enjoying their calming scents.
4. Garlic for Common Cold
You Will Need:
- 1–2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon honey
What You Have To Do: Crush the garlic and ingest it along with honey.
How Often You Should Do This: Repeat this twice a day.
Why This Works: Garlic, a common kitchen ingredient, is well known for its powerful health benefits. It contains antimicrobial and antiviral compounds that may help destroy cold-causing viruses. Therefore, including garlic in your routine is a natural way to relieve cold symptoms at home.
In fact, Tanya Murray, a blogger, shares her own remedy using garlic, lemon, ginger, cayenne pepper, and honey to ease cold symptoms. She notes how this brew works to stimulate detoxification through various parts of the body—lungs, nose, skin, bladder, and bowels.
5. Ginger for Common Cold
You Will Need:
- A 1-inch ginger piece
- 1 cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do: Crush the ginger and soak it in hot water for a few minutes. Strain, then add honey and mix well. Drink it fresh. Alternatively, you can add grated ginger to hot soups and stews for added benefits.
How Often You Should Do This: Drink 2–3 cups of ginger tea daily.
Why This Works: Ginger provides warmth and can help ease chills and nasal congestion. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it highly effective to relieve cold symptoms at home, especially when paired with honey.
6. Green Tea for Common Cold
You Will Need:
- 1 green tea bag
- 1 cup hot water
- Honey
- Lemon juice
What You Have To Do: Steep the green tea bag in hot water for 3–5 minutes. Add honey and lemon juice, then sip slowly.
How Often You Should Do This: Drink 2–3 cups a day.
Why This Works: Green tea is packed with antioxidants and helps loosen sinus secretions. As a result, it can quickly relieve cold symptoms at home such as runny nose and sore throat.
7. Honey for Common Cold
You Will Need:
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
What You Have To Do: Consume the honey directly. You can also mix it into warm milk before bed.
How Often You Should Do This: Take honey twice daily.
Why This Works: Raw honey is a natural healer. It contains antiviral and antioxidant properties that help soothe sore throats and boost immunity. It’s one of the easiest and most pleasant ways to relieve cold symptoms at home.
8. Best Juices for Common Cold
Cranberry juice and orange juice are frequently recommended during cold and cough episodes. These juices are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which strengthen the immune system.
Moreover, lemon juice can be added to herbal teas or salads to further support the body’s ability to fight infection. These nutrient-packed beverages are simple yet effective tools to relieve cold symptoms at home through diet.
9. Kombucha for Common Cold
Kombucha is a fermented version of black tea that contains organic acids and beneficial bacteria. It is believed to support immune function, pH balance, and detoxification.
Therefore, consuming kombucha regularly can enhance recovery and help relieve cold symptoms at home naturally.
10. Kadha Recipe for Common Cold
You Will Need:
- 2 cups water
- 1–1.5 inch ginger
- 2 black peppercorns
- 5–6 holy basil leaves
- 4 cloves
- 1 teaspoon honey
What You Have To Do: Crush the herbs and spices. Boil them in water until it reduces to half. Strain and add honey. You may reuse the herbs once more to prepare an additional batch.
How Often You Should Do This: Drink 1–2 cups daily.
Why This Works: Kadha, a traditional Indian herbal remedy, contains warming spices that open nasal passages and reduce inflammation. It’s an age-old way to relieve cold symptoms at home and support respiratory wellness.