Here we are again in another cold and flu season. Every day at work I hear another person saying it’s making the rounds in their household.
Here is a huge round up of some tried and true remedies. We hope some of them work for you!
Gargle with warm/hot salt water (best for adults and not kids) – This mix helps kill germs and bacteria in the mouth and throat.
Chili Powder. If the salt and warm water isn’t taking care of business, try adding 1/8-1/4 teaspoon to warm water to gargle (do not drink!). I have tried it and am a believer!
Apple Cider Vinegar Drink this with some honey and lemon or mix it in some juice for the kiddos. You can do this daily as a boost! It has great acid-reducing and virus-fighting properties.
Emergen-C My husband likes to mix this in orange juice for a little extra boost. It’s yummy too!
Throat Coat Tea This might sound weird but I actually pour Emergen-C into a hot cup of throat coat tea. A co-worker turned me onto it years ago and I love the combination of the warmth along with the extra vitamins.
Probiotic. A healthy digestive tract can mean a healthy immune system. Probiotics are live microorganisms that may be able to help prevent and treat some illnesses.
Peppermint Oil. Sprays containing peppermint oil may help to relieve sore throats and to break up mucus helping with cough relief. It contains anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral properties which can encourage healing. You can take peppermint essential oil to rub on your chest as well and try mixing it with coconut oil. Smells and feels great.
Wellness Juice Shot I make a batch of these each week and take them daily.
Honey. It can fight infection and kill almost every type of bacteria. Put a little (or a lot) in warm water, drink and enjoy.
Elderberry Syrup This stuff is pretty delicious. You can buy this at any vitamin store or even at a Target or Fred Meyer. Elderberry is a great immunity booster, and your kids will like this stuff too!
Increase Water Intake. Similar to the hand washing, this one seems so obvious. But the day gets busy, coffee calls your name and sometimes drinking 8 eight-ounce glasses of water is hard to do. Water can also break up congestion and thin out mucus.
Ginger Lemon Honey ‘Goo’ –Sliced lemons and fresh ginger layered in a mason jar. You cover with honey and let sit a few hours. I add bits of hot water at a time and sip on it. This is loaded with vitamin c, antibacterial from the ginger and throat coat with the honey. It is yummy too!
Oil Pulling. I have used coconut oil for this technique that is found to whiten teeth and also draw out toxins in your body. Take a tablespoon of oil and swish it around in your mouth for 10-20 minutes. Spit out, do not swallow. It is not the most convenient of remedies but it’s an ancient technique so it’s worth a try!
Olive Leaf Extract I am not sure what this does exactly, but it has worked for me in the past. I take a couple of capsules and chug water.
PC: Stephanie O’Farrell
Electrolytes. Add electrolytes throughout your day. A lack of them depletes your body of minerals.
Homemade chicken soup. Boil chicken (with bones) and add garlic, parsley, etc. If you’re too sick to do that, buy a good quality bone broth and add lots of garlic to it and whatever else sounds good to you. Sip on the broth throughout the day.
Epsom salt is also great to help detox and increase circulation. Pour some in the bath and soak in the nice hot water – warm for the kids of course! You can pick this up pretty much anywhere – Walgreens, Target, etc.
Menthol Rub on Feet. I know. You think this is weird. I did too. And, then I was desperate, and did it and my kids are so much better. We get ours from the baby aisle because it has lavender in it and smells so much better, but I really do think the Vicks VapoRub kind tends to work faster.
Guess what should also be common practice, mom? REST AND WATER! I know, but it has to be said. How many times do we let ourselves get burned out? Lots.
Rest up. Drink water. Feel better soon!
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Read more of Stephanie’s contributions to AllMomDoes here.
