16 Strange Ways People Used to Cure the Common Cold
Before tissues and cough drops, people fought the common cold with some seriously strange ideas—and a lot of hope.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Long before modern medicine, people used creative (and questionable) methods to treat the sniffles. From onions in socks to drinking hot beer, cold remedies were based more on superstition than science. Some were harmless; others were risky, but all of them show just how far people would go to feel better.
1. Sleeping With Onions In Your Socks
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People believed onions could pull out sickness through the soles of your feet. They sliced them, stuffed them in socks, and wore them overnight. The idea was that the onion would “absorb” the cold. In the morning, your feet smelled awful, but the cold was usually still there.
2. Drinking Hot Beer
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Warm beer with spices or herbs was thought to soothe a sore throat and fight off colds. It was sometimes mixed with honey or eggs. People swore it helped you sweat the sickness out. Whether it worked or not, at least it helped you sleep.
3. Eating Raw Garlic Cloves
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Garlic has natural antimicrobial properties, but eating it raw is intense. People chewed cloves like candy or made strong teas. The smell alone could clear a room. Still, it made them feel like they were doing something bold and healthy.
4. Goose Fat Rubdowns
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Before vapor rubs, there was goose fat. People smeared it on their chest and neck, then wrapped it in cloth to “sweat it out.” The smell was heavy, and it stuck to everything. But it was a go-to cold fix in many rural homes.
5. Carrying A Potato In Your Pocket
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This was all about old-school folk magic. People believed a raw potato could “draw out” illness from the body. You had to keep it close and never cook it. It didn’t cure anything, but it gave people a weird kind of hope.
6. Drinking Kerosene Or Turpentine
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Yes, this happened. People mixed small amounts of kerosene with sugar or molasses and swallowed it to “kill the germs.” It was dangerous, toxic, and absolutely not a good idea. Still, some swore by it before doctors warned against it.
7. Burning Cow Dung As A Remedy
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The smoke was thought to clear blocked noses and purify the air. Some cultures used dried cow dung as incense for colds or fevers. It was part ritual, part treatment. It was not the best-smelling cure, but it was trusted in many places.
8. Wearing Red Flannel Around The Neck
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A bright red scarf wasn’t just for style. People believed red flannel kept the throat warm and “drew out” illness. Some never took it off until they felt 100 percent better. It became a cold-season must-have in many homes.
9. Boiling Socks In Milk And Drinking It
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This one makes you stop and reread it, but yes, people boiled worn socks in milk. Then they drank the milk, believing it carried healing powers. It was usually a last-resort cure passed down through odd family traditions. Spoiler: it didn’t help, but it did confuse many people.
10. Taking A Cold Bath
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It sounds backward, but some believe that shocking the body with cold water could reset the system. People dunked into cold baths to “shake off” the virus. It usually just made them colder and more miserable, but the tough ones swore it worked.
11. Sniffing Strong Mustard Or Horseradish
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This was the original nose-clearing hack. People sniffed or even ate strong mustard or horseradish to open up sinuses. It burned, but it worked—for a minute. Then the tears came, and so did regret.
12. Hanging Garlic Braids Over The Bed
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It was part medicine, part superstition. Garlic was said to fight both germs and evil spirits. People hung braids above beds to stay healthy during the cold season. It also doubled as room décor if you liked the vampire-hunter vibe.
13. Drinking Your Own Urine
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A few believed urine could “recycle” your body’s natural healing powers. It was thought to strengthen the immune system. Some drank it fresh; others used it in teas or mouth rinses. It wasn’t common, but it was real—and still practiced in rare circles today.
14. Roasted Mouse Paste
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In some old traditions, roasted mice were ground into a paste and given to children with colds. It sounds shocking, but it was considered strong medicine in poor communities. The idea was that the whole animal held healing energy. Today, it’s a reminder of how far people went for cures.
15. Making Onion Syrup
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This one actually had some merit. People layered chopped onions with sugar or honey, then let it sit until it turned syrupy. It soothed coughs and helped with congestion. It tasted bad, but it worked better than most things on this list.
16. Staying In A Sweat Lodge
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Some cultures used steam rooms or sweat lodges to “sweat out” colds. The heat and steam helped clear the sinuses and relax the body. It was part of a spiritual and physical cleanse. And it’s one of the few that actually made some sense.