Natural Remedies for the Cold and Flu

on October 22, 2009 at 11:15 AM

hot tea The flu worked its way through my house last week, so I spent a lot of time searching on CafeMom for ways to feel better—stat! Moms in the Green Organic Natural Simple Living group had some great suggestions for natural remedies to relieve cold and flu symptoms...

Cirreh: Tea with honey to break up a cough, congestion, or queasiness.

Hgibsonorc: We use fresh-squeezed lime juice and drink it like a straight shot for sore throats and coughs.

Rkoloms: Honey (antibacterial) and cayenne pepper (anti-inflammatory) make the best syrup for soothing a cough or cold. Raw garlic (no more than one clove a day) has lots of antibacterial properties, too. Peppermint is a natural decongestant; we keep lots of peppermint tea on the shelf. Ginger tea and chamomile are both great for nausea.

Heidi428: For colds I make a hot tea with lemon and honey. I also make a soup with cayenne pepper and stock up on fresh pineapple.

SanDiegoMaxMom: Good, old-fashioned chicken soup. A spoon of honey does wonders for a sore throat or cough.

What's your favorite natural remedy for the cold or flu?

Related Posts:

CafeMom's Swine Flu Guide

10 Foods to Boost Immunity This Fall

Boost Your Immunity with These Stretches

About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

Filed Under: alternative medicine, cold & flu, general health, illness

Comments (5)

NDesmond

on Oct 22, 2009 at 11:31 AM

Echinacea, get is in a liquid form and add it to food or drinks. You can't taste it and it's safe for everybody. It helps to alleviate colds and flus and boost your immune system.

Boneset, skullcap, plantain, and thyme are all helpful in relieving sinus problems. Skullcap also works wonders on headaches.

Honey is a natural anti-bacterial. It also can help knock out a couch and coat a sore throat.

Catnip brewed as a tea, along with mint can help clear out your chest and sinuses.

My favorite cold-kicking combo: Green tea and mint (a mint medley works in a pinch) brewed together. Add some liquid echinacea and honey. Drink often. It'll take enough of the edge off of that stubborn cold that you should only need rest and maybe some light cold meds to start feeling like yourself again.

Report this comment

aurorabunny

on Oct 22, 2009 at 11:50 AM

Elderberry kicks butt too. We're eating lots of Elderberry jam right now. And I'm drinking some Elderberry/Echinacea tea right now because I've got a sore throat this morning. :(

KELLI2L

on Oct 26, 2009 at 5:04 PM

If my nose is stuffy - I take a capsule or two of Goldenseal/Echinacea.

I may even add a 1,000 mg V-C, and a Zinc lozenge; but that's only to ward-off the beginnings of a flu / cold or sore throat on top of the stuffy nose. . . .