Best Natural Cold Remedies
We did the research, so you don’t have to! Let’s go over the best natural remedies for cold and flu season
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Honey: Mixing a bit of honey and lemon into hot tea can help ease the pain of a sore throat and suppress an annoying cough. Because of its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties, adding honey to warm tea can help alleviate cold symptoms. Hot herbal tea with honey is a great option, but make sure to drink plenty of water, too.
Notice: As you continue reading, you’ll see that honey is a recurring ingredient in many of these natural cold remedies!
Ginger: The health benefits of ginger root have been revered for centuries due to its curative properties. Adding a couple of slices of raw ginger root to boiling water can help soothe a sore throat or cough. If you don’t have ginger root, you can purchase ginger tea for the same effect!
Garlic: If consumed daily, garlic has been known to reduce the severity of any cold symptoms you may be dealing with. Adding a garlic supplement to your diet can also potentially prevent you from catching a cold in the first place because it contains the compound allicin, which might have antimicrobial properties. More research needs to be done to confirm the benefits of garlic, but you can still try incorporating more garlic into your diet.
Echinacea: The root and herb of the echinacea plant have been used by Native Americans to treat infections for centuries. While results on the effectiveness of the herb in fighting cold and flu symptoms have been divided, it’s possible that echinacea can boost the immune system and reduce inflammation.
Vitamin C: Your immune system needs an adequate amount of vitamin C to function properly, and getting enough of it can help relieve upper respiratory tract infections. Oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruits, and leafy greens are all good sources of vitamin C. Try adding fresh lemon juice and honey to your tea – it might reduce your phlegm. Taking vitamin C before your cold symptoms start can help shorten the amount of time you experience symptoms. Check out our Liposomal Vitamin C and Vitamin C Powder (Sodium Ascorbate) – both products provide excellent immune system support! Taking 4 to 12 servings a day of sodium ascorbate can help replenish the vitamin C your immune system uses when fighting a cold.
Gargle with Salt Water: If you’re struggling with a sore throat, try gargling with some salt water. This home remedy can help relieve throat pain or nasal congestion because it loosens the mucus-containing bacteria and allergens in the throat. This moistens the throat and can provide temporary relief. To try this remedy, dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in 8 ounces of warm water and gargle the mixture four times a day. An astringent gargle (like with a tannin tea) tightens the membranes, which can reduce that tickle in your throat. Or you can try a thicker gargle made with a mixture of honey and apple cider vinegar. There are a ton of options out there!
At-Home Remedies for Cold and Flu Season
Take a Warm Bath: Is there anything a warm bath can’t fix? A nice, hot bath has been known to reduce cold and flu symptoms in both children and adults. Adding a little Epsom salt and baking soda to the water can help soothe those body aches that often accompany a cold. Some people say that adding a few drops of essential oils (lavender, thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus, tea tree, juniper, or orange) can result in even more of a relaxing, soothing effect.
Drink Warm Liquids: Staying hydrated is one of the most important things you can do when you’re sick and drinking hot liquids can double as relief for nasal congestion as well. The warm liquid will soothe the inflamed membranes of your throat and nose, and you’ll be hydrating in the process.
Stay Warm and Rested: When it comes to alleviating cold and flu symptoms, the most important thing you can do is take care of yourself properly. At the end of the day, your best chance at beating your cold is to get plenty of rest and keep yourself warm. Fighting any type of illness takes a lot out of your body, so it’s your job to give it the rest and nutrition it needs so your energy can be directed toward the healing process.
Staying warm, hydrated, and well-rested is key to a speedy recovery!
While dealing with a cold might not warrant a trip to the doctor, it can still cause plenty of issues. Since the average cold can last anywhere between one and two weeks, it can affect your performance at work and disrupt your daily routines and responsibilities. Over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications can help alleviate the pain, but you might not always have those products on hand, or perhaps you’d rather try a more natural approach. Next time you come down with a cold, now you’ll have a whole list of holistic alternatives to test out!
