Sore throat, nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and fatigue are the symptoms of a cold. Remember that there is no cure for a cold, but the following remedies can ease the suffering caused by these symptoms and speed up recovery. Stay hydrated because fluids can break up congestion and prevent dehydration. Gargling salt water relieves a sore and scratchy throat. Also, nasal saline drops can remove virus particles and reduce congestion. Clean steam produced by a well-cleaned humidifier eliminates the dry conditions in which colds thrive and can break up congestion. Long thought of as just a creature comfort for the sick, homemade and canned chicken soup has been tested and proved to reduce inflammation and help the immune system recover faster and break up congestion. While some of these remedies may be unpleasant, nature's candy, otherwise known as honey, is a pleasant and effective way to reduce coughs associated with colds.