Best Home Remedies - Saltwater Bath

Several studies have found that saline irrigation helped relieve symptoms of colds and the flu. In addition one of the studies found that children who used saline irrigation of the nose (compared to those who used saline irrigation of the nose plus medication) had fewer nasal and cold symptoms over the next three months.

One expert points out saline irrigation won't reverse an infection, but it helps remove mucus from the nasal cavity, clears out allergens and bacteria, and makes the cilia (tiny hairs in the nose that push mucus along) work more effectively.

There are commercial kits available to deliver saline irrigation. Some push the saline solution into the nose; others use gravity. Both work, but an expert said the gravity device is the mildest. And he adds seawater has no advantage over any other kind of saline solution.

All but one of these remedies, excepting only saltwater bath for the nose, have one thing in common: I'll take cranberry juice, yogurt, chicken soup, honey, gum and staying warm with or without the drug-like effects.