6 Natural Remedies to Prevent Cold and Flu

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In the past few Winters, we got sick many times. Even though we try to eat healthy, we get plenty of outdoor exercise, and our kids don’t go to day care, somehow we managed to catch a nasty cold more than once. So this year I am determined to prevent us from getting the flu or cold. And I am determined to do it naturally.

So I did some research and came up with 6 natural remedies to prevent cold and flu. 6 easy things we can start doing now that will help us stay healthy this Winter.

Flu and cold are triggered by a virus, not a bacteria like many believe. Those viruses are floating around us constantly, the reason we “catch” them in a certain season is because of the seasonal change in our body. Even though the trigger of the illness is a virus, the cause for the illness is a weakened immune system.

1. Cod Liver Oil

As the seasons change, the day become shorter, the temperatures drop, and the sun is not as strong as in the Summer months. We spend less time outdoors, soaking up less and less good old vitamin D from the bright circle up above. Researches show, that “catching” cold and flu might be a symptom of a vitamin D deficiency. Lower levels of vitamin D in your body will weaken your immune system significantly. So, the first thing to do as Winter approaches, is to make sure we keep the vitamin D level in our body optimal. One natural way to do this is by taking cod liver oil. Among the other many goodies in this oil, it is also very rich in vitamin D, and will help strengthen your immune system significantly. You will probably be able to find good quality cod liver oil in a local natural foods store or a health store, or you can purchase it online Here.

2. Oregano 

The precious plant we use in the kitchen to season pasta sauce and such, has great health benefits. Oregano can fight certain types of bacteria and germs, can kill contaminations and fungus, can help with seasonal threats, fatigue, sinus discomfort, cough, and can help prevent seasonal bugs. I take one oregano soft gel capsule a day.

3. Echinacea Tincture (other common names: purple coneflower or black-eyed Susan)

Beautiful, easy to grow, and extremely healthy. What else can you ask of a plant? The roots of this plant are used to make a tincture or a herbal extract that will boost your immune system significantly. You can, of course, grow it yourself, but it will take time until the plant is establish enough to allow you to harvest some of the roots without killing the whole plant. If you already have Echinacea growing on your homestead, or if you know someone who has an established plant, this post explains how to make a tincture. If you don’t have a plant growing around somewhere, but still want to make your own tincture, you can get organic Echinacea root here.  It will take a few weeks for the tincture to be ready. Meanwhile, you can find capsules here, or liquid extract here, or at your local health food store.

Photo by Erica Mueller of MomPrepares.com

4. Diffuse Essential Oil

A gazillion books and blog posts were written about the benefits of essential oils. Those wondrous extracts can help our bodies and minds overcome many health and emotional challenges. The following diffuser blend recipe, taken from the Aromahead institute app, will help clear away airborne contagious agents around your house to boost and strengthen immunity.

To a 1/2 oz orifice reducer bottle, add  60 drops Eucalyptus, 60 drops White Pine,  60 drops Balsam Fir, 60 drops Orange, and 60 drops Lemon. Add 10 drops of this blend to your diffuser and diffuse.

5. Lemon and Honey

Lemons can help restore the body’s pH, they can kill bacteria, are very good for our liver and can help with breathing disorders. They have many more benefits, but above all, lemons are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids that work against cold and flu, and strengthen the immune system.

Honey is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, and it reduces cough and throat irritation. I combine fresh squeezed lemon juice with honey in a jar and keep it in the refrigerator. For every one medium size lemon, I add one tablespoon of honey. Then we drink a couple of tablespoons two or three times a day.

6. Garlic

Last but certainly not least! Garlic is called the antibiotic of nature. It’s got so many benefits; from lowering blood pressure, to lowering the risk of heart disease, to preventing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. And it can also prevent cold and flu. You can find organic garlic supplements like this one, but I just use actual garlic that I harvest from my garden this Summer (or you can get organic garlic at the store or the farmer’s market, of course). I eat one clove a day. Yes, I do. Raw garlic is not tasty or fun to eat. I also need to warn you that after a few weeks of eating raw garlic, you might start to smell like garlic. But hey, you’ll be healthy and strong so that’s a fair trade.

So here you have it. 6 easy natural remedies we can all start using today to prevent cold and flu. For a healthy, strong, and happy Winter!

Is there anything else you’ll add to this list?