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In fact, very few of us make it through the season without at least a little scratchy throat and runny nose. What are some good home remedies we can use to soothe, comfort, and minimize those aches and pains?
Keep in mind that when you come down with a cold or the flu, your respiratory tract works hard to expel the invading viruses through that annoying build up of mucus. Rather than drying those mucus secretions with an over-the-counter antihistamine, it’s better to accelerate the healing process by thinning them, thus making it easier to expel them.
The best way to thin mucus secretions is to add water to your system by drinking warm liquids, especially herbal teas and soup broth, then use some steam to open air passages, and next, relax and warm up.
Herbal teas/warm drinks:
• Ginger is one spice that has some great properties for soothing (even coughs) and has a number of antiviral properties and helps bring down a fever as well. You can purchase ginger herbal teas, or you can make your own. Use a heaping teaspoon of grated gingerroot in a cup of boiling water—allow to steep 5-10 minutes, then strain, and prepare as you would for any other tea. I like a little lemon juice and honey added. It is valuable for preventing and treating colds, sore throats and inflammation of mucus membranes. Ginger reduces pain and fever and has a mild sedative effect that will encourage rest. Ginger is also delicious in a fruit smoothie.
• Peppermint tea– is a valuable expectorant in the treatment of bronchitis, colds and flu. It reduces fevers by inducing sweating and cooling the body.
• Milk Tea—at the very first signs of a cold mix half teaspoon of both cinnamon and ginger with 2 cups hot milk. Stir in 1 tablespoon honey and drink hot. Oh, so soothing!!!
• Chicken soup or broth—one you have heard of but probably didn’t know it really does have some properties that help relieve cold and flu symptoms. Hot liquids make good decongestants, and as they heat the throat they slow the reproduction cycle of the virus.
Inhalants/Steam Treatments
• Chamomile, eucalyptus, and thyme make a great combination inhalant over steaming water. Place a couple of tablespoons each in a pan of steaming water. Inhale for about 10 minutes (or so) each night to clear breathing passage ways and bronchial tubes.
• You can augment the power of steam by adding a handful of other decongesting, antimicrobial herbs to the boiled water, then covering the pot and allowing them to steep for 10 to 15 minutes–rosemary, or peppermint leaves can also be used.
• Alternatively, you can add three drops of either eucalyptus or rosemary essential oil to the just boiled water. If you use peppermint, add only one to two drops. Don’t use essential oils of thyme and oregano for steam inhalation — they are too irritating.
Warm baths/Steaming Showers
• Herbal bath bags—place a couple of tablespoons each of chamomile, calendula, rosemary, and/ or lavender in small cheesecloth/muslin bags. Either place directly into hot bath water or steep in boiling water and add infused water to bath.
• Aches & Itches Bath Salt–½ cup baking soda, ½ cup dry milk, 1 cup Epsom salt, 1 cup sea salt, essential oils (use the ones good for clearing nasal passages—such as eucalyptus). Mix all ingredients together in a large ziploc bag. Place about 1/3 cup in hot bath water. Great for relief from muscle aches and chills. Epsom salt, rich in magnesium, is a natural muscle relaxant. Eucalyptus oil eases muscle aches and its steam temporarily relives sinus congestion.
Despite their widespread use, the efficacy of Vitamin C and Echinacea are still controversial– some vitamin C and Echinacea users do report a reduced duration and severity of cold symptoms, indicating that they may play some role in respiratory defense mechanisms.
Above all–drinking plenty of water, get plenty of rest, eating right, and washing hands and common surfaces around your house with disinfectants (chlorine bleach spray) are still great ways to ward off the severe affects of the cold and flu season. Getting your flu shot is still a good idea too.
One last recipe:
Delicious Cold Remedy
This delicious cold remedy will get rid of symptoms of cold pretty fast. It will also clean your system.
1/4 pound seedless raisins
3 ounces ginger root
3 cups of honey
6 lemons
4 oranges
1 gallon of distilled water
Put the water in a large pan. Add the softened ginger root, honey, and seedless raisins. Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour. Skim the top as needed. Cool, strain and place in a tightly closed container overnight in the refrigerator.
The next day, squeeze 6 lemons and 4 oranges and add to the mixture. Mix well.
Drink 2-3 glasses per day—hot or cold.
NOTE: There are other herbals that could also be used—the ones selected for this discussion are easy to find and more universally accepted. Be sure to do your own research and reading on the use of herbal remedies.
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