Cold weather hitting you harder than a Brut IPA to a kale-smoothie enthusiast? Navigating home remedies for the common cold can be as tricky as deciphering if the "Organic Himalayan Goji Berry Extract" in your superfood shake is really worth the hype (spoiler: it's probably not).

We all know the mantra: chicken soup, hydrate, use OTC meds, and rest up. Straight from Grandma's cookbook, right? According to a 2023 survey, more than half of 404 people polled lean into these homely methods or choose to completely ignore their cold, possibly praying for the sweet release from their runny-nose-hell with no action whatsoever. But wait, there's more to this sniffles-story.

First off, despite the urban legends, the FDA doesn’t control the supplement world like it does prescription meds. Scary, huh? So some 'Super Illness Fighting Mega Boost Capsules' might just be crushed Skittles – tastes the rainbow, at least. Always seek advice from professionals and choose third-party tested products to avoid being the health industry's sucker du jour.

Sure, you've probably been told that your cold will just 'go away'. But who wants to suffer while silent viruses party in their system? Enter the tried-and-true remedies including, yes, chicken soup. Get your fluid fix and hopefully some minerals and vitamins (like zinc) from that bowl of brothy goodness. Some other health hackers rock the vitamin C and echinacea route, yet their victory lap may be less triumphant as research reports mixed results. But don't ditch them yet, zinc lozenges might come through when it comes to tackling that annoying cough and nasal congestion.

Before you go reaching for the honey to sweeten your tea, don’t, if there are children under the age of 1 in the house. Reliable over-the-counter medications can slide in to manage pain, fever, and other symptoms like the annoying cough or the unglamorous runny nose. Don't even think of asking for antibiotics for your common cold; they're about as useful as a chocolate teapot – and your doctor will probably say something similar.

Now, let's touch on this: Remember you’re contagious once those symptoms pop up. Don't be that person who spreads the common cold love. Instead, keep those hands clean, use sanitizer, and shove that mask up if you're feeling a few symptoms creep in.

Remember, just as unicorns and a universally adored politician, a cure for the common cold does not exist. Instead, hunker down, rest up, stay hydrated, and punch those symptoms in the face with OTC meds. If you're still battling after 10 to 14 days, that's your cue to call in the pros. In the meantime, try not to cough on anyone, alright?