One of the funniest episodes of “The Beverly Hillbillies” was one where the banker had a cold and Grannie promised she could cure him in a week or ten days. As that’s the duration of most rhinoviruses, of course she could.

We haven’t yet discovered the real cure for a cold, but there are some very simple home remedies that can make you more comfortable, and may help you get over it sooner rather than later. Most of these can be used on children, but a few can’t.

Cold symptoms are usually milder than those of the flu. A slight fever, runny nose, sore throat and cough are the most common symptoms. When dealing with it, it’s best to concentrate on the symptoms.

  • Fever: Sweating it out is often recommended for fevers. I suggest cinnamon as the best choice in this department. You can use the stick cinnamon you find at the supermarket. I don’t recommend the powdered, as it is difficult to work with. If you choose to use this, make sure you stay wrapped up. It should cause profuse sweating, which is what you want. Getting chilled could make things a lot worse. This remedy should not be used on children under ten. For those older, ask the pediatrician if it is appropriate.
  • Runny Nose: Two recommendations.
    1. Buy the expensive tissues with lanolin or aloe. It will be a lot easier on your nose.
    2. Lemon balm could help dry it up.
  • Sore Throat: A fifty-fifty mix of lemon and honey can soothe a sore throat. It also tastes better than some of the other sore throat products. Don’t give honey to a child under the age of two.
  • Cough: A decoction of cloves, cinnamon, allspice and fresh ginger root can help stop the coughing. The ginger is spicy, so you may want to skip it if your throat is sore. You can also use peppermint or cherry bark.

Peppermint oil should not be used on or around children under two.

As cherry bark contains cyanide, avoid using it on children unless you have the advice of the pediatrician and guidance by a qualified herbal practitioner.

With any illness comes the risk of it developing into something more serious. If you start to get better then suddenly feel worse, go to the doctor. If your cold lasts longer than ten days, again, see the doctor. These could be signs of an infection.

If you have any medical conditions, or you take medications or supplements, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. The herbal remedies listed can have interactions with medications.