Not feeling well? Check out these 35+ natural remedies for colds and flu that you can make with simple ingredients in your kitchen.
Not feeling well? Or nursing a sick kid… or worse a husband with a man cold?
Check out these 35+ Natural Remedies for Colds and Flu. You can make these natural remedies with simple ingredients from your kitchen to boost your immune system, give natural relief for cold and flu symptoms, and help nourish your body to speed recovery.
What Is The Difference Between A Cold And Flu?
Flu and the common cold are both respiratory illnesses but they are caused by different viruses. Because these two types of illnesses have similar symptoms, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. In general, flu is worse than the common cold, and symptoms are more intense. Colds are usually milder than flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems, such as pneumonia, bacterial infections, or hospitalizations. Flu can have very serious associated complications.
How Are Cold And Flu Symptoms Different?
Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can tell if a person has the flu.
The symptoms of flu can include fever or feeling feverish/chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue (tiredness). Cold symptoms are usually milder than the symptoms of flu. People with colds are more likely to have a runny or stuffy nose. Colds generally do not result in serious health problems.
How Long Are You Contagious With Cold Or Flu?
Typically, you’re contagious from 1 day before you have any symptoms. You stay that way for 5 to 7 days after you start feeling sick. Children may be able to spread the virus for even longer, until all of their symptoms fade.
Most of the time, the virus is spread through droplets in the air. Sick people sneeze or cough out beads of moisture that contain the flu virus. They can travel up to 6 feet. You’re exposed to the flu virus when you breathe the droplets in, or if they land in your mouth, nose, or eyes. You can also get it if you touch a place those droplets land — like a desk, counter, or doorknob — and then touch your face. The virus can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours.
35+ Natural Remedies for Colds and Flu
About the Ingredients
- Garlic is an amazing antiviral and can help with colds, flu and stomach flu.
- Honey is antibacterial and excellent in fighting infections. It’s excellent for colds, flu, cough and sore throats.
- Turmeric is high in antioxidants and helps to fight inflammation. It’s perfect for colds, congestion, headache and sore throats.
- Elderberries are high in vitamins A and C, and help to boost the body’s immune system.
- Ginger is high in vitamin C and magnesium, and excellent for colds, cough and congestion
- Lemons are loaded with vitamin C in the juice, and antioxidants in the rind. They are antibacterial and antiviral – which is great for colds and flu.
Natural Remedies for Colds
- Homemade Elderberry Cold and Flu Gummies
- Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir – Natural Cold Remedy
- How to Fight a Cold and Win
- 5 Foods to Fight a Cold Without Medicine
- Natural Flu and Cold Remedies
- Natural Remedies for the Common Cold
- Top 5 Tips to Recover from a Cold
- Cinnamon Honey Remedy for Colds
- How to Fight a Cold Naturally
- Fire Cider Health Tonic
Natural Remedies for the Flu and Stomach Flu
- Rehydrating Electrolyte Drink for Colds, Flu and Stomach Flu
- Homemade Electrolyte Popscicles
- Colds + Flu Fighting Formula
- Cold n’ Flu Tea Soother
- 3 Herbal Teas to Soothe Cold and Stomach Flu Symptoms in Kids
- Honey Fermented Garlic – Natural Cold and Flu Remedy
- Cold & Flu Busting Elixir
Natural Remedies for Cough
- Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
- Homemade Cough Drops and Cough Drop Lollipops
- Homemade Slippery Elm Cough Drops
- Homemade Elderberry Syrup
- Stopping the Cough, Naturally
- Sage and Honey Cough Syrup
Natural Remedies for Immune Support
- How to Make Homemade Bone Broth
- Immune Boosting Foods to Keep Healthy this Season!
- Boost Your Immune System with Fire Cider Master Tonic
- Recovery Soup for Colds and Flu
- How to Make a Master Tonic
- Easy Immune Support Tincture
- Hot Garlic Ginger Lemonade
Natural Remedies for Fever
Natural Remedies for Sore Throat
- DIY, Herbal Immune-Boosting Sore Throat Tea
- Bust that Sore Throat and Hacking Cough
- Elderberry Herbal Tea
Top Tips For Natural Cold And Flu Remedies
- You can make these natural remedies with simple ingredients from your kitchen.
- Stay hydrated. Water, juice, clear broth or warm lemon water with honey helps loosen congestion and prevents dehydration. Avoid alcohol, coffee and caffeinated sodas, which can make dehydration worse.
- Rest. Your body needs to heal.
- Add moisture to the air. A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can add moisture to your home, which might help loosen congestion. Change the water daily, and clean the unit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t use steam, which hasn’t been shown to help and may cause burns.
What are your favorite natural remedies for cold and flu?
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Have you tried these natural cold and flu remedies? Don’t forget to rate the recipe and comment below to let me know how it went. You can also FOLLOW ME on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Photo credit: Bigstockphoto.com / BondDLegion, Seva_Blsv
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Good ol’ fashioned vitamin C is always my go-to when it comes to colds… the bigger the dose, the better. But for the flu it’s just rest and fluids.
This is great to promote natural ways of feeling better rather than over-the-counter products. Thanks for sharing.