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Has it hit your family yet this season? Cold symptoms that run you ragged and then move on to the next victim. Some combination of mucus, headache, sore throat, coughing…you know the drill.
We all have remedies we turn to. I want to share with you some of my family’s go-to remedies. I’ll bet a lot of us turn to some of the same things, but maybe you’ll find something you haven’t tried before.
(1) Rest
This is kind of no-brainer, but something that people often don’t do. Is it an inflated sense of self importance that makes us think we are “too busy” to stay in bed or lay on the couch for a day? Whatever it is, we need to get over it and lay down. This isn’t just grandma’s wisdom, either. Did you know that your body makes more white blood cells while you are asleep. Cells that attack viruses and bacteria for you.
(2) Fluids
Extra fluids, especially hot beverages, are a benefit when you’re sick. Increasing your liquid intake can help to thin out the mucus secretions you’re experiencing. And the steam from your hot cup of tea or soup is especially efficient at helping to clear sinuses. Keep plenty of tissues around!
(3) Immune Boost
As soon as cold symptoms starts showing up in friends or family, we start taking Airborne. I prefer the original tablets, that you dissolve into a cup of water. Sipping on a hot cup is soothing. My husband and boys prefer the chewable tablets, though. So we keep both on hand. I like to stock up on Airborne at Costco, it’s the best value I’ve found, and we run out less often. When one of us comes down with cold symptoms, we up our dose to twice a day. Can I tell you…I swear by this stuff. It really seems to shorten whatever illness we’re dealing with. As an added immune boost (and to help with those throat tickles) I like Halls Vitamin C drops.
(4) Thieves Oil
We use essential oils for a variety of things in our home. Thieves Oil is a mixture of clove, lemon, cinnamon, eucalyptus and rosemary essential oils. The same blend is sold under other names from other companies.
I buy mine almost exclusively from Rocky Mountain Oils now. I have found the same amazing results at a cost that works better for us. The blend is called Immune Strength. (Funny, we still call it Thieves when we use it) 🙂
Wherever you buy it…buy it!!
Let me tell you how we use it. Sometimes I will shake a few drops of the oil onto pillowcases to inhale overnight. I also will apply a drop or two to a folded up tissue and carry it with me to inhale throughout the day. The last time I spent the day on the couch resting from cold symptoms, I had my Thieves tissue laying on my chest to breathe in all day.
Another way to use it is to mix 10-15 drops in a roller bottle with a carrier oil (I use grapeseed oil). This allows us to roll it on without the oil burning our skin. (Applying some essential oils ‘neat’ can burn. Thieves is one of those). We roll it on our neck/chest area.
Some people advocate for taking Thieves oil internally. While I have taken it (a couple of drops in a capsule or in a cup of cinnamon tea) and do believe that it helps – I’m not a doctor and don’t want to recommend something that some feel is not safe. You can read more here and here and make your own decision.
Thieves, and other essential oils are also delightful in a bath or foot soak with some Epsom salts.
(5) Garlic
Did you know that garlic is a natural antibiotic? It’s also been shown effective in reducing the length of cold symptoms. My eldest will eat chopped garlic by the spoonful…but for the rest of us, here are a few tips on taking your garlic.
First, start with fresh garlic. Powdered garlic does not have the healing properties of fresh. Crush or chop your garlic cloves for the most effectiveness. It’s also most potent raw, or close to raw. In other words, don’t cook it to death. 5-10 minutes of heating is said to be ok.
The way I like to take it is like this: I lightly butter a small piece of bread and cover the top with chopped garlic (2-3 cloves), and then a small amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. I pop this into my toaster oven and heat for a couple of minutes-just until the cheese melts. Sometimes I’ll make this without the cheese, kind of like a little garlic sandwich (unheated). But if I’ve got the cheese on hand, I’ll usually go that route.
(6) Steam
When your sinuses are so plugged up that you can’t taste food anymore, or congestion has settled in your chest—a little steam is your best friend. A long hot shower can accomplish this. Or you can use a bowl of hot (not boiling) water, lean over, and drape a bath towel over your head to tent in the steam. Adding a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil can help too. (Just keep your eyes closed, some oils can burn…don’t ask how I know). I usually use a blend called, “Breathe Ease”, which is great for respiratory issues.
Click here to read more about how we treat respiratory issues with essential oils.
(7) Gargle
I grew up having to gargle warm salt water when I had sore throats. When I had my own kids, they refused. Absolutely refused. What I found that they would gargle was Listerine. I figured if it kills germs in your mouth, it should kill germs in your throat. Now that’s what we use across the board. It tastes better than salt water and is very effective. Whichever you use, gargling with these can kill germs and help your sore throat clear up more quickly.
I’d love to hear some herbal remedies for colds and flu that have worked for your family…
What have you used to combat cold symptoms?
bushra nausheen says
thanks for sharing useful tips 🙂
Jennifer Kelly says
I have literally been sick for 4 weeks! I have a persistent cough that will not go away. I am going to try some of the things on this list that I haven’t tried yet. Thanks for sharing.
Susan says
Good luck! Let me know if anything helps. I’ve had a tickle in my throat that goes away for days, and then comes back. So frustrating!
Jane Porterfield says
Blah. Seems that once school is back in that the kids bring home all sorts of germs. But even once they’re adults, they’re out and about and exposed to all sorts of people and things. I hate cold and flu season.
I remember being desperate at one point, with sinus congestion that wasn’t breakable. I resorted to the internet to find a home made remedy and it ended up being like a virgin mary (no vodka). Many spices and heated up like a soup and you let it sit in your mouth. It worked wonders!
Susan says
I have seen lots of mixtures with garlic, onions, hot peppers, apple cider vinegar…all kinds of stuff. Haven’t heard of one like you described, but I will check it out because it sounds more pleasant than garlic, onions, hot peppers and ACV. 🙂
heidi says
Well it’s allergy season for me and I can barely stay awake most days. I never heard of that oil, I am definitely looking into it
Susan says
The legend is that graverobbers (“Thieves”) during the plague tied clothes around their faces with these herbs and they didn’t get sick. Don’t know if it’s true…but we do love our Thieves oil!
Doug says
My normal go to is Vitamin C. 1000 units daily and extra when cold symptoms first show up. Echinacea helps relieve sore throat. I prefer the spray bottle for that.
Susan says
Vitamin C is a real hero. I haven’t heard of straight Echinacea for sore throats. Will definitely be trying that. Thanks for the tip!
Roy A. Ackerman, PhD, EA says
I agree wholeheartedly with the rest and the fluids. (More of do as I say than do as I do.)
Vitamin C is NOT a treatment, it may be a prophylactic. Taking the tablets AFTER being symptomatic is strictly for those who need to believe.
In my family, we stick to the rest, the fluids, and to a chemical concoction that reduces the symptoms so that rest, fluids, and bodily comfort (including drained sinus cavities) lets our autoimmune system have the upper hand.)
Susan says
Roy, After I looked up “prophylactic” 🙂 I did a little reading on the subject. It definitely seems that Vitamin C is best used to prevent illness (or taken before sickness, to shorten symptoms). Maybe that’s why the Airborne works so well for us. We start taking it as soon as people around us start getting sick. I also found that in most of the articles I read on studies of its effects, the word “inconclusive” is used a lot. I’ll have to do some more research, and keep an eye on new studies. Thanks for the food for thought!
Deepa says
Informative post..good tips for common cold!
Shirlene Weber says
Good tips! I used the “breathe” by oil producer and loved it. My grandson always asked for it when his allergies would kick in, he would get some relief without the drowsy feeling from meds. I will have to check into the “thieves” I happen to use doTerra products but not exclusively as I have found some companies with comparable products. I do believe I will get some Vitamin C to keep on hand as well for that preventive measure.
I liked to use Theraflu because it was a warm cup of relief for me. My husband makes this pot of “green chili” he has a secret recipe that he won’t share but I will tell you that there are some on the market that are close to what he makes. After I consume a bowl or two of the green chili it seems to help me get better sooner than later or keeps me from getting worse anyway.
Best to you all during this germy season!
Susan says
Shirlene, I think doTerra’s version of Thieves might be called “On Guard”. I’ve seen the same blend with different names by a variety of companies. I’ve done Theraflu before, too. The Airborne tabs in a hot mug give me a similar feel…warm and citrus-y. And re: the green chili…thanks for the tip! I’ve seen some remedies that use cayenne peppers. I think any hot pepper would be good. I think the thinking is that it gets your blood flowing? Stay healthy!!