A daily saline nasal rinse already helps with breathing during a cold, and University of Pennsylvania researchers found that adding a pinch of baby shampoo could cut recovery time by up to 60 percent, thanks to gentle cleansing compounds that loosen mucus and break down the barrier germs use to hide from the immune system.
Three At-Home Remedies for Cold and Flu Symptoms
Cold and flu season means a stuffy head and sore throat are only a matter of time, but a few simple, study-backed habits can help symptoms clear faster.
Add Baby Shampoo to a Nasal Rinse
Breathe in Eucalyptus Steam
A steamy shower already helps open sinuses and reduce congestion; adding 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a washcloth in the shower boosts the effect, with its aromatic compounds acting as a natural decongestant that can cut recovery time by up to 70 percent.
Spend Time Outside
A half hour of puttering around the yard while sick does more good than it seems: daily time outdoors can cut symptom severity roughly in half and trim recovery time, since sunlight and fresh air reduce the body's output of cortisol, a stress hormone that otherwise weakens immunity.
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