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It’s that stuffy head, runny nose, nasty cold time of year. Viruses run amok when the temperatures drop, so it’s the season to catch a cold. As the old saying goes, a cold lasts a week, but only 7 days if you treat it.
You can’t do a whole lot to “cure” a cold, but there are quite a few ways to help make the symptoms more tolerable (and these natural cold remedies do not include a trip to the pharmacy).
A collection of natural cold remedies
You can get relief without diving into the chemicals. Following, find links to DIY home remedies that you can make yourself, as well as links to homeopathic and herbal pre-made remedies.
We keep these remedies on hand, as well as the ingredients for making them. Viruses are normally short-lived at our home, or at least the intense part of the sickness.
- Try a DIY Healing Vapor Rub. This one is simple to make, and if you keep some basic essential oils on hand, you most likely have everything you need already to whip this up. (I made this for my daughter recently and it was very soothing.)
- A fragrant, steaming cup of herbal tea can make everything better. This article discusses the herbal teas you should have in your home arsenal, including several that will help soothe cold symptoms.
- ClearLungs by Ridgecrest Health contains a combination of 13 high-quality natural ingredients to support lung health, sinus health, and runny noses.
- Add a Eucalyptus Shower Bomb to a steamy shower. The moist, scented air will help the sufferer breathe more easily.
- My Honey-Thyme cough syrup will not only manage cough symptoms but also help to boost your immunity.
- Fire cider is a traditional remedy that has been used for centuries. Unfortunately, it usually takes a few weeks to be ready. This easy recipe provides instant gratification (and relief).
- Speaking of your immune system, these natural immune-boosting gummies will help make your system powerful enough to fight off illness before it happens or to battle a cold effectively if you already have one. There is also a version for kids.
- This is a guide to the different herbs you can use to make your own cough syrup based on your specific symptoms.
- Studies show that when zinc comes into contact with the rhinovirus (the virus that causes colds)it can prevent replication, shortening the amount of time that the sufferer is ill. One study recommends one lozenge every two hours. Lozenges and liquid drops, as opposed to capsules, are the recommended treatment. There are all sorts of expensive, branded lozenges out there, but you’ll get the most bang for your buck from this simple one.
- These immune defense nasal and throat sprays are the bomb and can help protect you from getting sick in the first place. You can also use them if you are already sick to support your system.
- Taking large doses of Vitamin C is a fairly common practice, and studies show that it can be effective in reducing the duration of cold symptoms. This website offers several different Vitamin C protocols you can try. It’s best to use a high-quality Vitamin C supplement like this or this when you are using it therapeutically.
- Elderberry extract is often used for colds, but studies show it is more effective in treating the flu. Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether your illness is caused by a cold virus or a flu virus, and elderberry does have antiviral properties, so taking it certainly won’t hurt you. Sambucol is the only standardized elderberry extract that has been used in studies. You can purchase it here or make your own syrup.
What is your favorite natural cold remedy?
And remember, nothing tastes better when you’re sick than soup made with homemade chicken or turkey broth. I can broth to be pulled out when the bugs strike our house. Here’s the recipe we use for the basis of our homemade soup. (Hint: the more garlic you add, the more healing power your soup will have.)
What do you do when a bad cold strikes a member of your family? Is there anything special you always stock up on to treat them and relieve symptoms? What always makes you feel better?
3 Responses
My favorite Go To remedy is Fire Cider and my grandmother’s easy remedy for sore throats and cough: in a small cup, mix honey and lemon juice (lime’s good, too), stir. Here, it’s kept by the bed/computer; a teaspoon is kept in the cup, for quick access, and tinfoil covers the top. HTH.
My family relies on Hylands Cough and Cold Syrup for children. It is homeopathic and really helps with nasal congestion and coughing. Even now that we’re all adults we still take the children’s version. We tried the adult version and it didn’t work at all.
A quart jar of fire (fyre) cider is on my kitchen spice turntable.
Plenty of ideas and recipes out there.
If in doubt, put it in.
It works for me.