Do baths help colds?

By Benjamin Clarke | Published on 12th November 2019

If you're feeling the effects of a cold or flu-like symptoms, then you may want an alternative to lying in bed or on the sofa.

One of the ways that many of us like to do this is by running ourselves a nice hot bath. But does it actually help to make a cold better?

Epsom salt could help

Epsom salt (a.k.a. Magnesium Sulphate) is a type of salt that has a range of uses, including in gardens, to reduce muscle ache and even to remove splinters from fingers. It's also a common component the bath salts to go in a hot bath.

There has been research that suggests bathing in a bath with Epsom salt can raise the magnesium levels in the body. This, in turn, assists the body in removing lactic acid which can help relax the muscles and calm you down.

So could essential oils

Essential oils and flower petals for the bath

Some essential oils could have antiviral and antimicrobial properties, according to some limited research.

Chamomile, lavender and eucalyptus could help ease congestion and reduce the symptoms of some upper respiratory viruses.

Even setting this aside, the relaxing and silky smooth feeling you get from sinking into a hot bath laden with essential oils is enough to improve your mood, even if they're not actually fighting your cold.

Better quality sleep

One of the most important things in fighting a cold is to get some good quality sleep to allow your body a chance to rest and fight germs.

Having a hot bath about an hour or so before going to bed will raise your body temperature and help you to feel destressed and relaxed.

As your body temperature starts to decrease, you'll begin to feel tired and will have a much better night's sleep than if you had been watching TV or scrolling on your phone.

Steam can reduce congestion

Steam rising off the Blue Lagoon spring in Iceland

When you get a cold, your head can often feel under pressure and heavier due to the blocking of your nasal passages.

Anyone who's tried eating anything with a heavy cold will know how horrible it is to try and breath through your mouth and eat at the same time.

The steam that is given off from a hot bath can help ease the symptoms of congestion by shrinking swollen membranes and giving you temporary relief.

Easing of symptoms rather than a cure

The actual scientific evidence to suggest that having a hot bath directly helps to cure a cold is limited and there's nothing conclusive to say it does.

However, a bath can help to relieve the symptoms, even if it's just for a short time.

The relaxing of muscles, helping you feel warmer and the encouragement of better sleep is going to help you feel less stressed and depressed.

This will give your body the best possible chance to fight off the cold naturally and minimising the amount of time that you're sick.

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