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People have suffered thecommon coldfor centuries, and historical remedies range from the banal to the bizarre.
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The ancient Egyptians' go-to was the milk of a mother who had given birth to a boy.
If that didn’t work, they had a spell to go with it.
For hundreds of years we’ve sniffled, and we’re still no closer to finding a cure.
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In fact, a systematic review published inThe Cochrane Librarywas withdrawn after concerns about the data.
Chicken soup
Mom was right: chicken soup really is one of the best cold remedies.
Another double-blind study also suggests that chicken soup has more than just a placebo effect.
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Both hot fluids helped relieve stuffy noses, but chicken soup did a better job.
A study in theBritish Journal of Nutritiondid exactly that.
Interestingly, blanched almonds without skins had little effect on theimmune system.
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Researchers sayhoneymay be the best natural cure for a hacking nighttime cough.
As for thatlemon-honey concoction often touted as a cure, well, the science just isn’t there.
There aren’t any studies to suggest lemon, specifically, can help.
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Garlic
There’s now science to back-up the smelly, cold-busting benefits ofgarlic.
Another double-blind study found daily supplementation of aged garlic extract may enhance immune cell function.
Garlic is also ananti-inflammatory foodto help fight inflammation and ward off chronic illness.
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There’s nothing worse than the feeling that you might’t breathe through yournose.
So getting your hands on the spiciest food possible can be the key to your cold symptom relief.
In addition to the beta-glucan, oats contain zinc and selenium, which also work to fight infection.
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It’s such an easy thing to try, no cooking or preparing involved.
Of course, that is always the best option to get the benefit of clearing congestion that ginger provides.
So when mom always said eat your vegetables, she definitely wasn’t wrong.
Trycooking with kale, because it’s one of the best cold remedies!
Oranges
It’s an age-old trick: have a glass of orange juice when you’re sick.
Blueberries
According to Dr. Bressler, blueberries are among the highest inantioxidantsin fruit.
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They’re an easy snack to munch on between hot showers and lots of rest.
We always knew there was another reason besides their unbelievable taste to love this fruit.
Colds are the absolute worst.
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When you’re lying in bed stuffed up, you could feel completely helpless.
Hopefully, now it’s possible for you to give these natural cold remedies next time they hit.
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