How to beat a cold without going to the doctor?

I would say your main effort should be preventing the flu/cold rather then fighting it . Try a vaccine or keep in mind rules like washing your hands every-time you eat .Build up a special diet and you can even try Yoga as this site recommends.

http://www.holisticonline.com/Remedies/Flu/default.htm

My mom tells me to use vinegar it does help a lot and I found another article site.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0820/is_n245/ai_20157488
http://www.vinegarbook.co.uk/flu_and_colds.shtml

Your best bet to beat a cold is to start with the basics! Tea! Tea is a great antioxident, and to help with the consumption of vitamin c to prevent the cold, add a squeeze of lemon.  Just take a fresh lemon, cut it in half, and squeeze some juice into the pot, but make sure you take out the seeds first.  Also, eat a couple oranges every week, to also help your system get more vitamin C.  As for what kind of tea, there are actually a couple.  2 that I know of are "camomile" and "Celestial Seasonings: echinacea complete care." I don't think I've ever caught a cold before...the sniffles, but thats from not wearing a jacket. Best of luck to you this winter :)

Read 77 Ways to Beat Colds and Flu by Inlander. Although Inlander and health writer Moran go beyon the traditional advice to "drink chicken soup like your mom told you," don't expect to find in this book many suggestions that common sense and your own doctor haven't already told you. While no cure yet exists for such annoying and potentially dangerous afflictions as colds or flu, this book tends to focus on the obvious: keep away from people who are already ill; wash your hands frequently; use paper towels. Some readers and their mothers, however, might take exception to the authors' advice to sneeze toward the floor rather than to using your hands to cover a sneeze. Nearly everyone knows that taking vitamin C can boost the immune system; still, the authors believe it's necessary to repeat this. They also advise readers to think positively, relax, laugh away colds, make friends and schedule rewards for oneself.