Ok, let’s get right down to it. Flu season happens every year increasing around November and according to the CDC 38 million people get sick with the flu.
So how to you protect yourself? Your family?
How to do you prevent getting sick before it happens?
As Benjamin Franklin said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Although Franklin actually was addressing fire safety when using this quote, it rings true for health as well.
Easy Natural Cold and Flu Remedies
The “great cold flu pandemic” can be rough and let’s discuss ways to keep your body and immune system strong to prevent this virus from affecting you and your family.
We all know those people who are well-versed in natural remedies and pull out the herbs, spices, raw honey, garlic, essential oils, and supplements to get the you through it pretty quickly.
However why wait until you are sick to start using nature’s remedies. You want to start infusing your body with specific herbs, foods and regular practices BEFORE you get sick.
Important…
Of course, it’s important to see a medical professional for any major or serious illness. Back then I didn’t have a doctor I could text, and in most cases would end up taking my chills in and paying a co-pay just to have a doctor tell me to give my daughter water and soup!
Over time I learned and started turning to natural remedies. (And we do go to the doctor for anything major or serious or that lasts longer than a few days.)
For viral illnesses that conventional medicine can’t do much for anyway, I turn to these natural remedies. They won’t knock out all symptoms or provide the same pain relief of over-the-counter drugs, but they help ease the icky feeling of a cold.
Go To Kitchen Remedies:
Even if you don’t have access to my whole natural medicine cabinet, which is called The Solossage System, I am going to share some simple natural remedies that can make a big difference! These are my go-to kitchen remedies:
Lots of Water
Do not wait until you are sick, make it a regular practice to drink a minimum of 80 ounces a day. I find that we all feel better when we stay well hydrated, but especially during illness. Doctors often recommend rest and hydration for minor illness and the advice is sound. At first sign of illness, we make sure to sip water all day to support the body’s natural healing process. This remedy is mostly free and super important.
Grab your water bottle (or go purchase one if you do not have one), carry it with you at all times to hydrate daily. Fill it up when you go out to restaurants or when you are at your friends. Make drinking a min of 80 ounces a day a daily habit and your life will change.
Raw Garlic
Raw garlic is available in many stores and relatively inexpensive. One of nature’s most potent remedies is also one of the easiest to find in any grocery store. It has been extensively researched in over 10,000 studies for its natural ability to help the body recover. To take it, I mince it, swallow it and chase it with water. For my kids, I’ll also mix with honey or maple syrup or add to food to tone down the taste.
Regularly I eat copious amounts of garlic (because I have grown to love garlic). There are no vampires at my house. However when I get sick on day 1, I will chop up 6 raw garlic gloves and infuse my body with garlic as soon as possible so the magical healing properties can start (actually it is not magic but science and you can read all about it here)
Herbal Teas
Herbal teas can also be very soothing during illness. I keep my five favorite herbal teas on hand all the time, but we drink them often during illness. Many herbal teas are now available in regular grocery stores. I personally like chamomile and peppermint for easing discomfort during colds and flu.
Lemon Juice or Ginger
I find fresh lemon juice and fresh ginger in water especially soothing for illnesses involving respiratory issues or sore throat. During illness, I’ll squeeze an entire lemon and slice a piece of ginger into hot or cold water for a soothing drink. Lemon juice is beneficial in other ways too and many people drink it each morning. Lemon and ginger are things you can pick up quickly when needed.
Electrolytes & Vitamin C
Vitamin C can really help battle colds and flus. When my child really doesn’t feel well and don’t feel like drinking, I sneak in electrolytes and vitamin C. I love Ultima Replenisher. They like the flavor and I’m able to get some vitamin C and minerals in. We also take our electrolytes whenever we travel (Ultima comes in travel packs). We always have it on hand and take it every few hours during illness.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Certainly not a favorite remedy for many due to the strong taste, but apple cider vinegar can really soothe a sore throat and has many benefits. I’ll drink a tablespoon in water each morning as part of my regular morning routine to keep my body healthy. During illness I will ramp it up to 2 tablespoons. Adding honey makes the taste more palatable.
Herbs to Help Remedy Cold and Flu
In addition to kitchen remedies there are dozens of herbs and essential oils that support the body when healing from an illness. From herbs to oils, we explore each category in depth in The Solossage System. Below are a few of my favorites herbs that I keep these around just in case:
- Nettle Leaf: It contains large amounts of vitamins and trace minerals and helps the body stay hydrated and remove toxins. In a tea with red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, and peppermint, nettle makes a powerful immune supporting and illness preventing remedy.
- Elderberry: Well-known for supporting the immune system. You can find conventionally made elderberry syrups at many stores now, or to save money, make your own.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger root can be steeped in boiling water to make a tea that is very effective against sinus symptoms and congestion. Ginger baths are a soothing way to stop some of the discomfort of body aches.
- Chamomile: An absolute staple for my daughter. Chamomile is calming and seems to help children sleep. It tastes great and is easy to get kids to take. We use it in tea and tincture form. My daughter always asks for chamomile tea with raw honey when sick.
- Peppermint: Great for all digestive disturbances and for calming a fever. It can be used as a tea or tincture or rubbed on the skin to bring a high fever down. It is antimicrobial and antiviral and kids usually love the taste. Take as a hot tea or cold tea during illness in any amounts.
How do you keep from getting sick or remedy it naturally when you do? Share your tips below!
It Shouldn’t Be This Hard to Be Healthy…
Access The Solossage System to get a library of health and wellness practices and have this system available in your pocket anytime, anywhere. This system goes way beyond kitchen remedies and dives deeper into herbs, essential oils, lymphatic drainage, reflexology and DIY self massage hacks to keep you healthy.
We update this system regularly to give you access to the latest and greatest!
The Solossage System is my very own personal care system created for you and your family!
I couldn’t find natural solutions bundled into one system that met my standards, so I created my own. The Solossage System is the result of decades of research and dozens of tests, and your family can now use them too!
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This article has not been medically reviewed. We recommend that you talk with your doctor as this is not personal medical advice.
