Winter is the time of year when colds and flu are most prevalent and the symptoms can be really annoying and uncomfortable. There are so many natural remedies for colds and flu though, so get prepared and have these on hand!
My first recommendation is to boost your immune system to avoid the viruses taking hold, but sometimes when we are a bit run down or tired, we can still end up sick.
Flower Essences
Have you ever gotten sick after emotional turmoil? That’s because there is an emotional connection to illness. If we aren’t balanced emotionally, we lower our vibration making us more susceptible to viruses.
So, use your flower essences to assist with moving emotions through the body.
Emergency Essence can help with the distress and discomfort of being unwell as well as any irritability. If you have a cough, you can also try rubbing some into your sternum.
Bulletproof can assist with kick-starting the immune system to work at it’s best.
Rocket Fuel is a great essence to use after an illness to help you bounce back and recover as well as supporting low energy while you are sick.
Sizzled Bits can help with supporting your body through high temperatures and dehydration.
Get in touch for a personalised flower essence blend if you feel like you would like support for your specific experience.
Homeopathy
Get in early and treat symptoms using homeopathy as soon as they appear.
Anas Barb is a good one to take if you have been around sick people or the symptomatic relief of early stages of colds and flu. A fortnightly dose during winter as a preventative may be useful too.
Ferrum Phos is great for when you start feeling a bit off and are in the early stages of the inflammatory process.
Aconite can be used for the sudden onset symptoms of a sore throat or temperature.
Belladonna is generally used for fever and symptoms that arise suddenly with bright redness, heat of the face or affected part and intense throbbing pain and congestion.
Head Cold Complex remedy is an excellent all-rounder. It contains remedies that are useful at the first stages of illness – the blocked nose, the profuse sneezing, or the runny nose; the sore and sensitive throat or the frontal headache. This complex may also help shorten the length of head colds, assist with expelling excess mucous, and relieve rattly coughs and ear aches caused by congestion and sore throats.
The Kidz Minerals Cold and Cough Relief is a great combination of tissues salts that can assist with inflamed tonsils, coughs, colds and mucus discharge.
The Chapped Lips Balm is brilliant for persistent dry and chapped lips with the addition of homeopathy remedies.
For more information, check out this factsheet.
More Remedies
Onion and Honey Drink: As soon as my husband gets a scratchy throat, he goes straight for this onion and honey drink. He places one or two slices of onion in a bowl and drizzles some manuka honey over the top, covers it for about 15 minutes and then using a teaspoon, sips the ‘juice’. Try this Fermented Honey and Garlic Cough Syrup which is similar (pictured).
Garlic Socks: Some grandmothers I know strongly believe in putting a clove of garlic on the soles of your feet while wearing socks to fight off illness and boost immune function. You can also add essential oils to the soles of your feet.
Onion in the Room: If your partner is sick or you have multiple children in one room, one home remedy is to cut an onion and place it in a bowl in the room and this will reduce the chance of the other people catching the illness.
Olive Leaf Extract: Available from most chemists, it has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. It can be taken as a tonic to keep you fighting fit or in times of illness. Be sure to read the label and follow the recommended dosage.
Elderberry: Make your own elderberry syrup to prevent and shorten the length of colds and flu.
Chicken Soup/Broth: This has been scientifically proven to alleviate cold and flu symptoms by clearing mucus and opening respiratory pathways.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Mix with warm water and gargle for sore throat relief.
Essential Oils: There are so many essential oils that can be used in the diffuser, steam inhalation or as a compress or even on the soles of your feet. Check out this great information from an aromatherapist to choose the best essential oils for colds, coughs, sore throats and flu.
Herbs and Vitamins: Things like echinacea, Vitamin C and Zinc can all help relieve cold and flu symptoms.
I hope this list of natural remedies for cold and flu is useful to you and your family this winter. I would love to know what you have found that works for you.
Sources:
Owen Homeopathics, Australian Bush Flower Essences
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to replace the service of a qualified practitioner. Any application of the recommendations set forth in this blog is at the reader’s discretion and sole risk.