Cold & flu health centre

Chicken soup and soothing colds

Relief from the symptoms of colds and flu can sometimes be found in the kitchen rather than the medicine cabinet.

Chicken soup

Chicken soup, whether homemade or from a tin or packet, is a traditional comfort food offered to people with colds and flu.

The warmth of the liquid and breathing in steam may help with congestion and sore throats.

There's also some evidence that some of the ingredients in chicken soup help reduce inflammation.

Drinks

Warm or cold drinks can have a soothing effect for colds and flu symptoms, but reduce or avoid drinks containing caffeine like coffee, which can add to dehydration problems. Alcohol is also unlikely to improve cold and flu symptoms.

Beneficial effects on congestion may be found from drinking plenty of water, juice, clear broth or homemade warm lemon and honey drinks.