20 Classic Home Remedies for the Cold

2. Chicken Soup

When you tell someone you have a cold, an immediate response may be, “Go have some chicken soup.” Grandmothers since time immemorial have sworn by chicken soup as a remedy for the common cold. The warm, nurturing the feeling that homemade chicken soup gives you may have a healing benefit all it’s own, but there is also the science behind this traditional remedy.

Hot liquids, in general, can loosen up the phlegm and can help your body cleanse it from the system. In addition, chicken soup can slow down the movement of certain white blood cells called neutrophils. When neutrophils slow down, they tend to stay in certain areas of the body and can fight infection more effectively, Chicken soup works well against respiratory symptoms associated with the cold. Another benefit of chicken soup is it can help you stay hydrated and consume vitamins and minerals when you otherwise may not feel like eating regular meals.