The Weirdest Cold Remedies Online – Have You Tried Any Of Them?

By Moira Chisholm

Pic: Shutterstock

As searches for ‘why do I get so many colds’ has increased by 180%, according to Google Trends Data, the common cold continues to bug people all year round, including the summer months.

1 Take some Thyme – 1.4 Million Likes

Young woman inhaling chamomile tea steam as an alternative therapy or traditional cure.;

Pic: Shutterstock

A viral TikTok video suggests Thyme can expectorate excess mucous and help to clear nasal passageways. Firstly, pour boiling water into a bowl, add 2 tbsp of dried thyme, cover head with towel and breathe for 5 minutes.

2 Boil some red onion to drink – 1.4 Million Plays

Slate plate with fresh garlic and onion on wooden table, closeup;

Pic: Shutterstock

This viral video suggests drinking this concoction every morning or before you go to bed to get rid of a cold. It includes 2 cups of water, 8 slices of ginger, half a red onion, 6 slices of lemon, 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and boil for 10-15 minutes.

3 Spray cod in your mouth – 3.95 Million Following / 31,616 Views

OK, more specifically, ColdZyme which utilises enzymes found in deep sea cod in its mouth spray. On his popular YouTube channel, Wayne Goss, also known as GossMakeupArtist, shared the product in his video. He said ‘It’s been almost 3 years since I’ve had a full-blown cold. And I’ll tell you what I use to not have a cold. Any time I feel a tickle I use this product and it gets rid of anything – I haven’t been sick for nearly 3 years with a cold.’

4 Suck on a lemon- 386K Likes

Pic: Shutterstock

Another TikTok user says to pour salt and pepper onto a lemon wedge and then suck on the lemon if you have a really bad cough. Other tips include pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth and placing your thumb on your third eye (the centre of your head, parallel to the middle of your eyebrows) for a few minutes to give some relief.

5 Release congestion with a spoon – 88.7K Views

This technique comes from Chinese medicine, using a ‘scraping’ method and a gua shua in a scraping motion on the top of your back, your chest and throat. The woman in the viral video says that any smooth, round surface can be used, such as a spoon! The idea is that this technique helps to break up the mucous, loosening it up in order to get rid of the congestion.

6 Massage your fingers – 72K Likes

A senior woman massages her fingers, experiencing pain in the joints. Gray background, hands close-up. The concept of rheumatism and arthritis.;

Pic: Shutterstock

A palm reader/palmist on TikTok says to help soothe a sore throat you can press on your thumbs in the same spot repetitively, whilst applying gentle pressure to each of your fingers can help relieve sinus congestion.

7 Eat a spoonful of butter and garlic- 17.1K Likes

fresh garlic butter on a spoon on white background ;

Pic: Shutterstock

This TikTok cold-remedy suggests eating a spoonful of ingredients including one clove of garlic, melted butter and sugar. The user admits it sounds gross, but claims it works every time.

If you’re aware of the early signs of a cold virus (e.g. scratchy throat), then the best cure is prevention.

ColdZyme® (20ml) £17.50, and ColdZyme® (7ml) £10.99.
Available from Amazon, Boots and pharmacies nationwide. ColdZyme® works by capturing the virus where it first starts to multiply. ColdZyme® forms a protective barrier, deactivating the viruses. It should be used every second hour, up to 6 times daily, until symptoms are relieved. ColdZyme® is suitable for adults and children over 4 years and has a pleasant menthol flavour.