Nothing can be quite as miserable as having a cold and cough except having one when you are pregnant. You may be already battling morning sickness, constipation, and heartburn, but a cold or flu during your pregnancy can bring you to your knees in no time at all. The irony of it is that in order to prevent the baby from being rejected by your body, your immunity naturally falls during a pregnancy. This makes mums-to-be all the more prone to frequent sniffles, a sore throat and / or a cough. Since medication is rarely recommended during a pregnancy, there is not much you can do to alleviate the symptoms except wait for them to disappear or control them with the help of some safe home remedies. Remember, when you have a fever or a cold, it is in fact a reassuring sign that your body is fighting an infection efficiently. So, just be patient, rest adequately and try some of the following natural remedies to support your immune system. These can also help reduce the severity of your symptoms while the illness follows it natural course.

Echinacea

Natural Cold and Cough Remedies
There are some herbs that are considered safe during pregnancy. Echinacea is one such herb that is a potent fighter of germs and infections. Echinacea angustofolia in particular is the most effective to boost your immunity and can be had in the form of a tincture mixed with a little water thrice a day until your cold disappears.

If you are not suffering from nausea or morning sickness and can stomach spices and herbs in your food, try adding garlic, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom to your meals. These contain powerful germ-fighting properties and help clear congestion and clogged nasal passages.

One way of soothing a sore throat is by gargling with warm water mixed with a pinch of salt. Alternatively, mix lemon juice with hot water and a tablespoon of honey and gargle with this solution.

Steam inhalations are also an effective home remedy to reduce cough and chest congestion. To improve the effects of inhalation, try mixing a few drops of essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil. Hot showers and vaporizers also help to reduce a cough.

Saltwater rinses and helps treat stuffed up nasal passages and remove harmful bacteria and viruses from your nose. Mix a quarter teaspoon each of salt and baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Use a bulb syringe and inject this solution into one nostril. Drain and repeat with the other side.

Some good foods to eat that may help fight a cold are bananas, bell peppers, carrots, mustard, onion, and tea.