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 :)