7 Natural Flu & Cold Remedies To Get You Through the Winter Season
Need home remedies for cold symptoms? These natural flu and cold remedies will help!
Catch a cold? We have home remedy suggestions!
You should always consult your doctor when you’re feeling unwell, but there are natural cold remedies you can benefit from when trying to soothe a cold.
From allergies to changes in colder weather, we’re in the midst of the winter flu season, and since being sick is the absolute worst, we are sharing five easy ways to soothe those awful cold symptoms naturally.
Here are 7 natural cold remedies to help you ease your symptoms:
1. Gargling salt water will help combat sore throats.
Looking for a way to soothe your throat? Try gargling salt water; simply add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon to a glass of water and gargle the whole glass. According to Mayoclinic.org, salt water will temporarily relieve any sore or scratchy throat, however, it’s not recommended for young children under the age of 6 as they may have a harder time properly gargling.
2. Try a humidifier to combat dried-out sinuses.
According to John Hopkins Medical, studies show that cold air holds less moisture than warm air. If you’re suffering from a dry nose, whether it be from allergies or something else, this could worsen your nasal passages causing sore throats.
Humidifiers are a great way to release water vapor into the air to release moisture and keep your sinuses clear and far from dryness!
3. Make some chicken noodle soup!
I can’t think of anything more comforting than a bowl of chicken noodle soup, but the benefits go beyond pure enjoyment! According to WebMD and OnHealth.com, studies show that chicken noodle soup is soothing, hydrating, and full of amino acids that will help your congestion.
It’s also anti-inflammatory, which will help with any inflammation your body may be experiencing. Adding some spicy ingredients like ginger, garlic, and turmeric would also be beneficial. Delicious and nutritious! 😋
Eat keto? We’ve got a keto chicken noodle soup recipe for you over here!
4. Indulge in some honey, tea, and apple cider vinegar!
Similar to soup, hot beverages like tea avoid dehydration and help relieve congestion. According to Medical News Today, tea, honey, and lemon are one of the simplest ways to subside your cold!
Some natural flu remedies and cold treatments include chamomile tea which can boost your immune system, marshmallow root tea which reduces inflammation of mucus membranes, and licorice root tea which acts as an expectorant and helps reduce coughing. If you’re a fan of green tea, that’s another antioxidant powerhouse that is readily available and may help your stubborn cough!
Speaking of tea, try our homemade Starbucks-inspired medicine ball tea recipe.
If you’re looking for an extra boost, Healthline suggests that apple cider vinegar may be what you’re looking for. It’s a natural antibacterial agent that’s filled with vitamins that can even be used to make homemade cough syrup (1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 tablespoon of natural raw honey). Be sure to run this by your doctor, though, as apple cider vinegar isn’t always compatible with everyone and their symptoms.
Did you know Coconut oil is a natural anti-inflammatory? Combine 1 teaspoon honey, 1 teaspoon coconut oil, and the juice of 1 lemon. Microwave for just 20 seconds to melt – it’s yummy and very soothing. I really liked the taste of this one especially if you can’t handle vinegar in the recipe above.
5. Eat foods that contain zinc or take a supplement.
Want to know how to get rid of a cold? According to Dr. Moday, M.D. of MindBodyGreen.com, zinc is one of the most studied supplements that treat colds. Zinc helps stop viruses from replicating in our body and strengthens our immune system.
Tons of food we already love contain zinc, such as lean red meat, oysters, crab, lentils, hemp seeds, sesame seeds, and pumpkin seeds, but zinc pill-form supplements can be taken with food.
EveryDayHealth.com mentions how zinc has tons of other benefits that go beyond the common cold, too, such as childhood growth, clearing up acne, and managing blood pressure. Here’s a helpful list of foods that naturally contain zinc and how much each age group is recommended to indulge in. When it comes to natural flu remedies and cold treatments, zinc always makes the list!
6. One of the best natural cold remedies is elderberry syrup.
One of the most popular cold remedies is elderberry syrup. Studies have shown that it can reduce cold symptoms and even shorten the duration of your cold. This tasty syrup can be bought at your local pharmacy but you can also make this syrup. See how one reader saved over $120 dollars by making her own!
7. If you like natural flu remedies, try some turmeric.
Turmeric is one ingredient to keep in the medicine cabinet or pantry. This flavorful orange spice contains curcumin which has anti-viral properties. Studies have shown that curcumin can combat the oxidative stress that is involved when you get the flu. When taking turmeric, it helps to add some black pepper as it contains a compound called piperine that helps you absorb curcumin more efficiently.
Turmeric has been used in natural remedies across the world for many years and Hip2Save readers love to use it too. One of our readers, Kacey, likes to use turmeric to treat her cold and she even provided us a helpful recipe!
“Few slices of ginger or turmeric, two sticks of cinnamon, and 5-8 pcs of dried jujube half a gallon of filtered water and bring to boil for 10-15 minutes. Turn off the stove and cover the pot and let it sit for 30 minutes. Re-heat and enjoy with hint of lemon or honey. Ginger or Turmeric heats up the body from the inside, cinnamon lowers the inflammation, and jujube helps the body to rid off the toxins in the body while it gives sweetness. Koreans use this remedy most often to give their immune system a natural boost during the winter.” – Kacey, Hip2Save reader
We hope you stay as happy, healthy, and positive as possible during this cold season!
Do you have any other ways to relieve cold symptoms naturally? Let us know in the comments!
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