There’s no cure for the common cold, but doctors say the length of time you’re sick can be reduced. While a cold makes it difficult to concentrate on the things you love to do, when your nose feels stuffy and runny, you can’t stop sneezing, and your throat starts to itch. According to doctors, more than 200 viruses can cause the common cold, but it is usually caused by a group of viruses called rhinoviruses that cause infections in the upper respiratory tract. Additionally, there are some easy ways you can treat it, including:

Wander the aisles of any drugstore, and you’ll see an impressive array of products that claim to shorten the duration of your cold, however, there are few supplements that are known to make a difference in shortening the duration of a cold. They include:

vitamin C

Vitamin C supplements do not prevent a cold but they can shorten the duration and make it less severe. According to the National Institutes of Health, you should take about 200 mg of vitamin C regularly to get this benefit. It is unlikely to help if you already have cold symptoms.

Experts say doses at the upper limit have side effects, so taking higher doses for any duration comes with this risk.

zinc

Apart from vitamin C, another supplement that works fast in providing relief from cold is zinc lozenges. Zinc helps shorten the duration of a cold by 33 percent, which means at least a few days earlier. Doctors may recommend taking these lozenges when you first develop symptoms. However, it is important to note that the dosage in these studies, 80 to 92 mg daily, is much higher than the daily maximum recommended by the NIH.

beetroot juice

According to studies, drinking small amounts of beetroot juice at least six to seven times daily helps in reducing the symptoms of cold. Doctors say it is especially helpful for people suffering from asthma. Beetroot juice is rich in dietary fiber – which helps increase the production of nitric oxide in your body which protects against respiratory infections.

probiotics

Probiotics help strengthen your immune system – especially for those who are prone to colds. Doctors recommend taking probiotic supplements daily to help reduce the number of colds and frequent colds.

Honey

Honey is rich in healthy compounds that support immunity – and thus reduce germs that cause cold and cough. Honey – Doctors say that honey is one of the most reliable remedies to treat cold symptoms, as a spoonful of honey at bedtime can help babies sleep better by reducing nocturnal cough.

However, it is advisable not to give honey to children under 12 months of age, as it can cause botulism.

Black Elderberry Syrup

Black elderberry is a traditional remedy used to help fight colds in many parts of the world. Studies have shown that elderberry supplements reduce the duration and severity of colds, and strengthen your immunity levels.

breathe some steamy air

Experts say that cold and blocked nose can be treated with the help of hot water shower, or you should take steam from a bowl of hot water. Taking hot steam can thin the mucus, which will help your mucus drain better.

Get the latest news live on Times Now with breaking news and top headlines from around the world.