The inexpensive ingredients could work wonders on your body as you recover from the virus that runs wild in winter weather
The common cold is rather annoying and becomes a big problem this time of year. Most Brits will—or already have—suffered from a cold this winter.
Research suggests that, on average, adults will have up to four colds a year, while kids can easily get between six and ten. The good news is that our bodies are often well-equipped to tackle the common cold.
Typically, you should start to feel much better after about three days and back to normal after about a week. But when you’re just trying to get on with life, feeling stuffed up and physically drained from fighting off the viral infection can wipe you out quickly.
There are ways to help ease your suffering and speed up the process. You could take paracetamol to ease any aches and pains you might be having, and you could try vapour rubs to help ease chesty coughs.
The NHS recommends a cheap concoction that should help soothe and relieve your symptoms as you recover. It’s a drink that only requires three ingredients and takes seconds to make.
According to the NHS website, a simple hot lemon and honey drink will “soothe a sore throat” – which is often one of the major red flags that you’ve caught a cold. This remedy, which isn’t advised for babies under 12 months old, is fairly simple to make. The recipe states:
- Squeeze half a lemon into a mug of boiled water
- Add 1 to 2 teaspoons of honey
- Drink while still warm
A loose lemon costs just 30p at Tesco while a bottle of runny honey can cost £1.09 at Aldi. The recipe calls for “1 to 2 teaspoons” which works out at roughly 10g or about 3 pence worth of honey from the bottle.
A person with a cold can start spreading it from a few days before their symptoms begin until the symptoms have finished. The best ways to avoid catching a cold are:
- Washing your hands with warm water and soap
- Not sharing towels or household items (like cups or children’s toys) with someone who has a cold
- Not touching your eyes or nose in case you’ve come into contact with the virus
You’re infectious until all your symptoms have gone. This usually takes 1 to 2 weeks but it can take longer for babies and young children.