Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

27 Aug Natural Cold and Flu Remedies

Having identified the difference between a cold and the flu in our previous blog post, it seems apropos to spend a little more time on natural cold and flu remedies.  A quick Google search reveals many sources, a few of which are listed at the bottom of this post, but here we’ll share a few of our personal family favorites.

Take a Long Soak

A good, steamy bath will open up your nasal passages and relieve the ache of sore muscles.  Add a little epsom salt, and you’ve got yourself an inexpensive, full-body detox.  According to Girl Meets Nourishment, the epsom salt also improves circulation and decreases inflammation.

Rub It On

Okay, the internet search for natural remedies may not turn this one up… probably because it’s not-so-natural.  But it’s a family favorite and incredibly effective, so we’ll share it here.  When coughing is keeping you awake, rub some Vick’s Vapor Rub on your feet, and then throw on a pair of socks. While you’re at it, rub some on your chest too, but it’s the feet that really does the trick.  If the first application doesn’t demolish the cough, apply it again, and repeat as many times as necessary, until you wake up hours later and say, “Wow! I actually stopped coughing and got some sleep!” It’s safe for kids and doesn’t have the side effects of those standard night time cold remedies. If you’ve ever had an early morning accident after taking cold medicine the night before, you will have a special appreciation for this.

Get Minty Fresh

Peppermint oil is a must-have essential oil, as it has many pain-relieving uses.  Pictured here is Young Living’s Peppermint Oil, which numerous naturopathic doctors have highly recommended to us.

Have a headache? Massage diluted peppermint oil into your temples (watch the eyes, though. Ouch!). If the headache is caused by pain in your neck, apply the diluted oil to your neck and shoulders.

If your stomach is upset, rub the oil onto the affected area. It even helps with stomach cramping and any other muscle ache or cramp you may experience.

There are also many peppermint teas on the market that will sooth aching tummies and relieve headaches. The hot liquid will also help alleviate the pain of soar throats while helping to clear the sinuses.

(To dilute peppermint oil, add four drops of grape seed oil to one drop of peppermint. Olive oil will work if you don’t have grape seed.)

Pour Some Water Up Your Nose

Speaking of sinuses… most people have a natural fear of pouring salt water up their noses, but that’s an excellent fear to overcome if your sinuses are giving you trouble.  Anecdotally, the father of a friend used to suffer from chronic sinus infections, and was routinely on steroids and high-dose antibiotics throughout the winters. When his daughter, a registered nurse, finally convinced him to start using a neti pot on a daily basis, the frequency of his infections decreased dramatically – from constant throughout the winter months, to one infection per year.

Whether your infections are chronic or a once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence, or if you’re just all stopped up and desperate for a remedy, give the neti pot a try.  While it’s not a pleasant experience, a few minutes of discomfort will give you hours of relief.  Do be sure to use distilled water, or boil your own tap water. Recent deaths have been attributed to microbes in water that are safe for drinking but, when drizzled up the nasal cavity, can infect the brain. This website provides detailed instructions for neti pot use.

Here are a few sites with more natural cold and flu remedies:

• Wellness Mama – Natural Remedies for Illness
• Girl Meets Nourishment – 30 Homemade, Natural Cold & Flu Remedies 
• And, of course, Dr Oz – Cold and Flu Home Remedies

Please note that we are not doctors. The information shared above is simply what has worked for our family and friends. Please consult a physician when in doubt, or if symptoms continue or worsen!