5 zero-waste cold remedies

The cold season is actually already over in spring. But it still seems to be affecting everyone at the moment. No matter how hard you try not to get infected, even the healthiest of us are unlikely to be spared.
There are countless cold remedies available, from throat lozenges to nasal sprays to prescription medications. Many of these products are lavishly packaged and unfortunately often full of chemicals and artificial substances.
In my opinion, well-known home remedies are often the most effective remedies. In addition, they are also cheap and zero-waste.

Here are five zero-waste remedies to fight your cold:

Drink ginger lemon honey tea:

Hot drinks or broths and soups comfort us during a cold, and not just through their warmth. They have an expectorant and digestive effect. Our sore throats are relieved and protect us from dehydration. Especially during a cold, you should drink enough so that your body can cleanse itself from the inside out and flush out bacteria. But sometimes it can be difficult to drink enough fluids, especially when you have a sore throat.
Lemon is a great source of vitamin C and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory and has antibiotic properties that strengthen the immune system. Local, pure honey soothes the palate and throat and acts as a natural cough remedy.
Simply cut up some ginger and add it to boiling water. Add a teaspoon each of lemon juice and honey and drink.

Bathe with salt:

A steam bath is an ancient and proven remedy for fever. Adding bath salts such as magnesium sulfate (also known as Epsom salts or Epsom salts) will relieve muscle pain, reduce inflammation, and detoxify the body.
Our skin is highly porous, and the salts added to bath water literally pull harmful toxins out of our bodies. To promote relaxation of the body, it is advisable to add essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus to the bath water in addition to the bath salt.

The healing effects of oregano oil:

Many people don't even know about this natural remedy. Orgeano oil acts as a strong, herbal antibiotic. Oregano was already used as a medicinal herb in ancient times. Today, oregano oil is used for a variety of health problems due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Not only does it fight bacteria and viruses, it also has a blood circulation-promoting, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effect. Typical symptoms of a cold such as coughing, pain and blocked airways can be alleviated in this way.
The oil can be purchased at most health food stores and is available in glass bottles. However, since it is highly concentrated, you should not use it undiluted (and please not during pregnancy!). Add one to three drops of oil to a glass of water twice a day and drink until the cold goes away.
To inhale, simply add 5 drops of the oil to half a liter of water.

Sleeping with a scarf:

You can often feel beforehand when a cold is approaching. For me, one of the first symptoms is usually a sore throat. That's why when I feel like I'm getting sick, I sleep with a scarf around my neck. The next morning my sore throat was still there, but it hadn't gotten any worse. Many people find the warmth of the scarf very pleasant, which in turn has a positive effect on their general well-being.

Loosen mucus with a nasal douche:

Another thing that can be really annoying when falling asleep (besides a sore throat) is a stuffy nose and the feeling of not being able to breathe easily out of your nose. A nasal shower can help. Rinsing your nose with warm salt water may not sound sexy, but it helps remove mucus, secretions, pollen and dust. Pathogens also get out of the nose this way. Additionally, it helps reduce sinus pressure and accompanying headaches.
By the way, nasal douches are not only made of plastic, but also of ceramic!

Of course I hope that you stay healthy. But if you do catch a cold soon, these natural tips will hopefully help you get well again quickly!

If you would like to learn more about healthy eating, mindfulness or sustainability, check out more exciting blog articles on these topics here .

PHOTO BY DOMINIC MARTIN ON UNSPLASH