Their best advice follows. Gargle for a sore throat. Warm liquids and salt can help shrink and dry mucous membranes. Breathing the steam will shrink the swollen mucous membranes in your upper respiratory tract and promote drainage. Slather on a metholated rub.
Research shows that it works.
Beef up your C intake. You'd have to eat lots of fruits and vegetables every day to get 500 milligrams, says Dr. Johnston. Otherwise, I recommend taking a daily vitamin C supplement. I believe that people are better off taking vitamin C than antihistamine medications when they have colds, because antihistamines have side effects that include drowsiness. Suck on a zinc lozenge.