What are some old-time home remedies for the common cold?

Homemade or store-bought chicken soup can help support hydration and the immune system, and ginger root tea soothes sore throat and quiets coughs, reports Healthline. Another old-time home remedy that is effective for sore throat and coughing is honey, which has a number of antibacterial and antimicrobial properties.

Other home remedies include garlic, which is effective for cold treatment and also for sickness prevention, notes Healthline. Echinacea, which Native Americans used, contains flavonoids which reduce inflammation and may reduce the duration of cold symptoms. Gargling with salt water loosens mucus and can help relieve sore throat and sinus congestion, and vitamin C from lemons, limes, oranges and greens helps strengthen the immune system, especially for people under stress.