Common colds and flu are just as common and well known as the old-timey household remedies used to overcome these illnesses. It’s the flu season and everyone around you is just as likely a victim as any. It’s time to remember and recollect some of the old-timey remedies for colds and flu to help yourself and your loved ones if you happen to fall prey to the omnipresent illness.

In all fairness, there is no known cure for the common cold, but there are remedies to make you feel better, faster. Here is a list of some home remedies to help you endure while the cold makes you feel like you might not. Most of these remedies work and have been used around households for a long time, and as an added bonus, they won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

1. Hydrate
A remedy as old as time, true as it can be. Just a little effort in keeping yourself hydrated can go a long way. Cold and flu symptoms such as runny nose and sweating along with fever can lead to loss of water in the body. Drinking water is essential to loosen the dried mucus and break the congestion buildup. Apart from that, the protein-based cells that help with better immunity need fluids to flow through the blood vessels.

2. Garlic
Antimicrobial, rich in antioxidants, and active allicin, garlic can help break the congestion accompanied by the cold. It also works as an expectorant; it aids in expelling the phlegm out of the body. If chewing on a raw clove of garlic is not acceptable to your taste buds, try incorporating it into your meals or opt for garlic supplements.

3. Honey
To common knowledge, honey has antimicrobial properties. This makes it possible for honey to fight with bacteria and viruses and hence helps find some relief from a sore throat. Adding a teaspoon of honey to warm water or a cup of tea should do the trick.

Tip: Adding a few drops of lemon to the warm honey water helps add vitamin C to your system which in turn helps boost your immune system.

4. Chicken soup
The thing about this remedy is – it doesn’t just work for the soul! This old-timey remedy for colds and flu has multiple benefits. Not only does the hot water make your throat feel better, but it also keeps you well hydrated. Also, the combination of fat, garlic, ginger, and other spices helps provide your body with the much-needed nutrients and combined with the hot steam from the soup, it can start breaking the mucus buildup in the respiratory organs.

5. Ginger
Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory in nature, ginger shots are your best chance at relieving yourself of the congestion, nausea, cold, and fever. Though you could just eat that piece of ginger, the shot proves to be more effective.