11 Natural Home Remedies for Cold and Flu
Are you looking for natural home remedies for cold and flu?
Here are 11 of our favorite, simple remedies to support the immune system and soothe a sore throat, cough, or congestion.
1. Herbal Vitamin C Pills
Vitamin C is commonly used as a supplement to support immune system health. However, while supplementation is sometimes necessary, it’s almost always better to get our nutrients from whole food sources. Fortunately, it’s easy to make your own vitamin C pills with rose hips and other herbs.
Get the recipe for Herbal Vitamin C Pills »
2. Elderberry Gummies
Elderberries are a powerful herb for preventing a cold or flu and for shortening the duration of a cold or flu. In this elderberry gummy bear recipe we first make a juice from dried elderberries, and then we use gelatin to make fun gummy shapes. Kids of all ages will enjoy them.
Get the recipe for Elderberry Gummies »
3. Elderberry Tea for Sniffles, Congestion, and Aches and Pains
This herbal tea combines the cold- and flu-fighting qualities of elderberry with the warming and stimulating properties of ginger, black pepper, rosemary, and thyme. Reach for this elderberry tea when you feel like you are coming down with a cold and you also feel cold (chilled) in your body.
Get the recipe for Elderberry Tea for Sniffles, Congestion, and Aches and Pains »
4. Herbal Sore Throat Spray
From a dull ache to a raging inferno, sore throats can be one of the more uncomfortable symptoms of a cold or flu. This sore throat spray can be a convenient way to frequently get healing herbs directly on the throat where they are most needed.
Get the recipe for Herbal Sore Throat Spray »
5. Sore Throat Pastilles
These herbal pastilles are not only effective at relieving sore throats, they are also quite tasty! Combining herbs like rose petals, sage, marshmallow root, and honey, the pastilles can be made in advance or when needed.
Get the recipe for Sore Throat Pastilles »
6. Herbal Cough Syrup
This recipe is an all-purpose cough syrup remedy. Elecampane, plantain, and honey are expectorants with the latter two helping to soothe irritated tissues in the lungs and throat. Elderberries are famous for their ability to shorten the duration of a cold or flu.
Get the recipe for Herbal Cough Syrup »
7. Herbal Cough Drops
Made with sage, thyme, and hyssop, these herbal cough drops are great for dry coughs that tickle your throat at night and that prevent you from sleeping. These lozenges last for a long time, so you can make them now and stock up for the winter.
Get the recipe for Herbal Cough Drops »
8. Elecampane Honey
Elecampane is a cough suppressant as well as a natural expectorant. It is a great, all purpose cough remedy that is easy to grow and make medicine from. Elecampane can be taken as a tea, tincture, or our favorite way – infused in honey.
Get the recipe for Elecampane Honey »
9. Hyssop Oxymel
Oxymels combine the stimulating properties of vinegar with the soothing qualities of honey. This centuries-old preparation is specific for coughs and congestion, especially when there is lots of mucus stuck in the lungs. Hyssop oxymel has an alluring taste, and the pungency of aromatic hyssop brings this preparation to life!
Get the recipe for Hyssop Oxymel »
10. Spicy Herbal Vinegar
This spicy herbal vinegar is a perfect remedy for someone who needs a fiery kick to the immune system. Our recipe is based on Fire Cider, a cold and flu remedy formulated by Rosemary Gladstar. The spicy herbs in this concoction are great for opening sinuses and clearing mucus congestion.
Get the recipe for Herbal Vinegar »
11. Chamomile Stuffy Nose Remedy
Steam is a wonderful aid for loosening up congestion. You can get the benefits of steam from a sauna, a hot shower or bath, or simply by smelling your hot herbal tea. We like using chamomile to make an herbal steam for our stuffy nose remedy.
Get the recipe for Chamomile Stuffy Nose Remedy »
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