The Complete Cold & Flu Treatment Guide: Homemade Remedies + Firstaid Kit

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I am a firm believer of you are what you eat, feel, and truly believe to be.

I always try various strategies that are a part of my armamentarium, but when the dreaded cold and flu enter our house, all my efforts in its prevention fail.

After years of effort, we are yet to pass through the flu season as a family without being affected at least once and completing the chain of transmission to everyone in the household.

This reminds me of the saying- “Little things make big things happen” and makes me wonder how a small little viral bug spares nobody and has the capacity to debilitate even the strongest and mightiest of mankind.

So this mommy of yours is always ready with a Plan B. With the wisdom imbibed from our culture and forefathers and brilliant lines of alternative medicine, I have had my “Fight the cold and flu armamentarium” ready whenever we have a family member down with it and we conquer that little viral devil soon with these simple but effective immune-boosting remedies.

I usually start with homemade remedies but I recommend gauging the situation. We often end up needing a little extra help when we find ourselves amidst full-blown symptoms and to provide relief quickly. This is where the various medications I discuss in the latter half of the article will come to your rescue.

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6 Wonderfully Effective Homemade Remedies to Fight the Cold & Flu

1. Ginger honey- The active component Gingerol present in ginger along with its magical combination with honey, makes this duo a powerful analgesic, anti-microbial, and potent anti-inflammatory potion that gives an instant effect in soothing the inflamed mucosa. It is especially useful if you are having a sore throat and its detailed preparation has been discussed here- ‘A Wonderfully Effective Homemade Remedy for Sore throat using Ginger and Honey’.

2. Turmeric milk- This is what every grandmama will whip up when you are retiring after a tough day battling the flu for a good night’s sleep so that you awaken with a renewed and stronger immune system the next day.

Bring a cup of milk to a boil and add 1/4th teaspoon of organic turmeric powder or grate a small piece of fresh turmeric root (peeled and washed). Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes and have the drink warm.

Studies have proven that the compound curcumin and curcuminoids present in turmeric, interfere in the invasion process of viruses and specifically inhibit their activities thereby preventing them from infecting and further multiplying in the body. In fact, a very low concentration of curcumin is required to deactivate the influenza virus.

Try to include a pinch of turmeric in your daily cooking too, to reap its benefits as it not only helps in healing the body continually with its potent anti-inflammatory properties but also helps in the assimilation of the micronutrients present in the food that we consume.

3. Salt hot water gargles- This is the easiest and time-tested remedy for immediately relieving a sore throat. Based on the principle of destroying the cell wall of the infecting microorganism due to the hypertonic saline water being used, it is especially useful in preventing superadded bacterial infections in an existent viral illness.

Take a glass of hot-warm water (as warm as you are comfortable with) and add 2 tablespoons of sea salt. Take sips and gargle thoroughly for 30-45 seconds each time enjoying the gurgling sound that you end up making!

4. Steam inhalation- Have a runny nose? Inhaling steam from a vaporizer device or a bowl of hot water may help loosen up mucus in the lungs and sinuses, help with congestion, and ease a sore throat.

Place your head 8-12 inches away from a big bowl of boiled water or a vapouriser and cover your head to create an enclosed space with the container using a towel or cloth. Take long, deep breaths and remove any congestion that might find its way out during the process. Let each session last for 10-12 minutes and take it 2-3 times a day for maximum relief.

5. Onion juice- Onion detoxifies the body and its broth remedy is useful to primarily alleviate the cough that usually accompanies a withdrawing flu illness and works like magic even for little babies.

Chop 1 large onion into quarter-size pieces. Put the pieces in a pot and add 2 cups of water to it. Place it on high heat and bring it to a boil. Then reduce the heat to medium-low or simmer it for about 15 minutes. Now remove the pot from the heat and let it cool for a few minutes. Strain the broth and discard the onion pieces.

Drink this onion broth throughout the day to get relief from congestion and mucous-causing cough. Regular intake will definitely help you to get rid of a cough and its symptoms.

Another effective way I have learned is to slice an onion and place it on the bottom of each foot and secure it with a sock. Leave it on overnight to get rid of a cough with its sulfur and quercetin content. (Haven’t personally tried it but I know of people who swear by it).

6. Echinacea– Echinacea is one of the most widely used immune-friendly herbs on earth, and comes packed with potent polyphenols. This familiar botanical is a favorite among natural and traditional medicine practitioners because it supports immune health in a variety of ways, including [1-4]:

Activating crucial immune cells, such as NK (natural killer) cells
Supports the growth of white blood cells in your body, which are necessary to fight infection
Discourages the replication of unwanted microbial guests
Encourages necessary immune system responses while reining in potential immune overreactions

7. Rest- Lots of Rest! This is not a remedy in its true sense, but none of the above-mentioned remedies will work its true magic if your body will not support it. It is imperative to completely rest when you are affected. Your body needs time to recuperate and divert its energy towards fighting off the illness and healing the body. 2-3 days of complete rest will enable you to spring back to your efficient self quickly.

Apart from the above, there are always changes and modifications I make in our diet and overall practices during times of illness. Such as-

Sipping warm water throughout the day
Having nourishing and immunity-boosting chicken soup for meals. (Fun fact– According to Chinese herbal medicine, adding dried lizards simmered together into your soup can have even more benefits!) ?
Diffusing Pure Eucalyptus essential oil or applying Universal Axe oil (It is really very effective) before going to bed. It relieves congested sinuses and gives a clean and fresh feeling when we awake in the morning.

Precautions to Keep in mind

A few conditions that warrant caution for use of the above-mentioned medicinal herbs include-

Pregnancy and lactation
Prior to surgical procedures
If suffering from gallbladder problems
If taking blood-thinning or stomach acid-reducing medications

If you have a tendency of developing kidney stones or suffer from gout limit the intake of turmeric spice.

It is always good to consult a doctor if your symptoms persist and if you have any doubts regarding the intake of any of the above.

The Cold & Flu Firstaid kit- Things you must have handy always

1. Homeopathic Remedies

By now all my clients and students know how my love for utilizing the wonderful science of homeopathy whenever the need arises. Being a clinical homeopath myself, I have found it to be very safe and effective provided you use the right remedy with a few other factors into consideration.

Needless to say, it is best to work with an experienced homeopath & consult your doctor before you choose to add or make any changes to your current prescription.

Here are a few homeopathic remedies that you must keep on hand and use according to the presentation of your cold and flu:

Allium Cepa- Clear watery nasal discharge, sneezing bouts
Phytolacca decandra– Mild fever, body ache, sore throat
Gelsemium sempervirens– Relieves headaches associated with colds

In case you aren’t sure, which is the right remedy, these combination medicines made are very safe and efficient:

OSCILLOCOCCINUM– As soon as you feel a cold is about to start. It works great at the onset of any cold or flu presentation.
Cold Calm– there are 2 variants available- the meltaway tablets are for adults and the liquid preparation is for kids.

2. Bee Propolis

Bee propolis is a brown protective substance that bees make from a mixture of beeswax, resins, sap, botanical compounds, and their own saliva. It exhibits natural antibacterial properties and antimicrobial activity, making it a great first line of defense against any mild illnesses or sore throats that creep up. We always keep this propolis throat spray handy with us. Those with allergic reactions to bees or bee products should avoid propolis.

3. Colostrum

Modern researchers have put out close to 200,000 studies on the value of the immune factors and over 700 components in colostrum to support children, adults, and all mammals against pathogens of all levels. I highly recommend having it regularly if not daily. And while there are many available in the market, I am very happy with Anovite’s Colostrum. It is Whole Colostrum, not extracted & it is independently third-party tested. To avoid paying the retail price, log in as a customer or associate (if you wish to share this wonderful resource & make a small earning) to unlock the wholesale price.

4. Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry has been shown to actually fight the virus that causes the flu. A meta-analysis published in 2019 concluded that elderberry is “an alternative to antibiotic misuse for upper respiratory symptoms due to viral infections, and a potentially safer alternative to prescription drugs for routine cases of the common cold and influenza.” [5,6]

Elderberry syrup has been used for ages as a preventive and therapeutic agent for cold and flu symptoms. It is advisable to have elderberry syrup sourced from an authentic source or you can choose to make your own syrup using this simple DIY kit at home.

5. IgG

Known as immunoglobulin G (or IgG for short), these proteins are known as specialized “first responders” and get deployed to come to your rescue when you get attacked by the viral organism causing the cold or flu.

These immunoglobulins can identify true threats, neutralize them and then tag them (so your body can deal with them quickly in the future). A major drawback is your natural IgG production can struggle to keep up with the demand during the winter months. But you can replenish your supplies with special immunoglobulin reinforcements. This can be incredibly powerful when you’re feeling run down or just need a little extra lift. Needless to say, source them from reliable sources only.

6. Combined Immunity Booster

During times when you just don’t have the time to indulge in individual remedies and wish to boost your immunity to its prime performance amidst the hustle, I like taking advantage of Just Thrive’s Immunity Plus. It delivers what your immune system needs to help you stay healthy every day.

It contains:

Zinc, needed for proper immune system function and response
Selenium- a powerful antioxidant that keeps your immune system going strong
Echinacea, the classic favorite immune-supporting herb
Pomanox® Pomegranate Extract, which contains 300% more polyphenols than red wine or green tea
Epicor®- It has been the subject of 15 scientific studies, including 8 human clinical trials – all demonstrating its effectiveness in supporting optimal digestive function and a healthy immune system.

7. Humidifier

I cannot stress how helpful a good humidifier is, especially if you have an infant or toddler in the house. Dryness of the mucosa can contribute to further irritation, and discomfort to an individual already prone to seasonal allergies. Using a cool mist humidifier in the child’s room during naps and bedtime can help keep secretions and mucus thin and help the child breathe easier. I prefer investing in a good quality one right from the beginning. We have this adorable ultrasonic humidifier in the kid’s bedroom.

8. Vaporizer device

Steam from a bowl of hot water will work just fine, but it is an effort to keep a steady flow of steam available. Moreover, I find the use of a vapouriser safer and more convenient for use, especially for kids.

9. Doctor Brandy!

How to make a Brandy Hot Toddy?- Grandma's Wisdom in Fighting the Cold & FLu

Surprised? Well, my parents always told me how they were given a spoonful of Brandy in a glass of lukewarm water every time they caught a cold. A Hot Toddy as some cultures call it, will basically do the same thing ibuprofen would – ease the symptoms and relax you just enough to wander off to sleep more easily. While it won’t cure your cold, it will help alleviate the symptoms. But make sure you don’t overdo it! Get my Grandma’s Brandy Hot Toddy Recipe here.

I hope these remedies help you and your family if the need arises. Instead of popping a pill try to heal your body and give it that added care and nurturing it requires through various immune boosting supplements and aids available. Investing time and effort in your body today will definitely reap benefits in the future. Your body will bless you for taking care of itself.

Sending lots of healthy and happy wishes your way. ?

References