Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

It's always hard to pin point the exact time of year a cold or flu will hit, but when it does – watch out. Your nose will be bright red like a beacon, food won't taste right (that's if, you can even keep it down at all) and you'll find Kleenex in the upmost random of places. If you were too late to stop it before it started with Echinacea or Oregano Oil (read their benefits by clicking on the name) then you've got no choice but to keep reading.

Honey

Typically this sweet liquid gold is known for it great wound healing properties. Which is true. But let's not underestimate its benefits when it comes to coughing. In fact, several medical journals have named honey a better ingredient than dextromethorphan, which is an active ingredient in many store-bought cough syrups. Here's a common recipe the seems to be floating around right now:

3/4 cup organic, raw or local honey

1/4 cup organic extra virgin olive oil

2/4 tsp organic lemon juice or raw apple cider vinegar

Blend all ingredients together and store in a jar of your choice; just remember to stir before use. If you're planning on adding the healing qualities of ginger or onions to the mix, chop them up finely and let it diffuse with only the honey for 8 hours prior to adding in the remaining ingredients.

Garlic

While consuming raw garlic is going to give you the most benefits when it comes to your cold and flu, it's much easier to say, then to stomach. We recommend taking a Garlic extract, or putting lots of raw garlic in your chicken noodle soup. Garlic is a natural herbal medicine that relieves symptoms associated with upper respiratory tract infections, which can aid your body in fighting off a nasty flu. If you can only keep liquids down, try making this power boosting juice:

1 orange, peeled

1 pound of carrots, washed and peeled

1 apple

4 cloves of garlic

Ginger

Fresh ginger is a natural decongestant, contains zinc, manganese, iron and that's just to name a few. We take it for fighting inflammation, to cleanse our colon, increase circulation and protect our stomach and liver (who hasn't taken a ginger-something to calm an upset stomach? That's what we thought.) If your flu symptoms have got the better of you, try taking this 'Golden Milk' to help with headaches, nausea and vomiting. The turmeric also helps lighten up your mild winter blues.

2 cups milk (or substitute milk of choice)

1 tsp dried turmeric (or fresh)

1 tsp dried ginger (or 1 inch grated fresh ginger)

Honey to taste

Bring all ingredients to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat thoroughly, being careful not to burn milk. Once at desired temperature, set mixture aside and let it sit together and blend for 10 mins. If you used fresh ingredients, strain mixture before placing into a cup. Drink, and feel better soon!

Eucalyptus

This Aussie plant sure knows what to do when it comes to fevers or congestion. In fact, its common name is 'fever tree' not only because it brings down your fever, but more so because it helped wipe out Malaria in the 1800's. It's an anti-inflammatory and just by inhaling the vapour from a few drops, you can help break up unwanted mucus. Try standing in a eucalyptus steam shower or make it into a smoothing rub, like this one: 

Add a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil (found here) to 1-2 tsp of carrier oil. Rub this mixture on your chest, bottoms of your feet and even under your nose. Just make sure not to get it in any open skin cracks or wounds.

Other simple tricks:

• Blow your nose, sniffing mucus back into your head isn't going to get rid of anything.
• Gargle with warm salty warm, it helps moisten and temporarily relieve a sore throat.
• Stay warm and well rested, you need to give your body time to fight it off!
• Sleep with an extra pillow under your head, elevating yourself works with your nasal passages
• Take a steamy shower, it's relaxing and the steam helps break mucus up.