Natural Cold and Flu Remedies to Keep You Festive, Not Sick

Cold and flu season is here just in time for the holiday rush. While you’re planning festive events and making guest lists, there are two guests you definitely don’t want attending: a cold or the flu.

No one wants to miss out on the joy of the season because of feeling under the weather, so now is the time to start taking preventive steps and know how to treat symptoms naturally.

Staying hydrated and getting plenty of rest are essential to keeping our bodies strong, but when symptoms strike, natural remedies can play a big role in easing discomfort and boosting our immune defenses. Let’s explore some of the most effective natural remedies to keep you feeling your best this season.

Runny or Stuffy Nose

• Eating Spicy Foods: Spicy foods, like those containing capsaicin from chili peppers, help clear nasal passages by thinning mucus and encouraging it to drain. Other spices like ginger, garlic, and horseradish can also provide relief by reducing inflammation and congestion. Great foods to pair these spices with include spicy soups, broths, and curries.
• Warm Compress: To make a warm compress, simply soak a washcloth in warm water (not hot to avoid burns), wring it out, and place it over the bridge of the nose or sinuses. The warmth promotes circulation, helping relieve congestion and soothe sinus discomfort.
• Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil contains cineole, a compound that can help break down mucus and relieve congestion. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water, inhale the steam, or mix it with a carrier oil, like coconut, jojoba, or almond oil, and apply it to your chest.

Sore Throat

• Saltwater Gargle: To make salt water, mix 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt into an 8-ounce glass of warm water. Gargle with the solution for 15-30 seconds until all the solution is gone, and repeat 2-3 times daily. Saltwater gargles can help kill bacteria, reduce swelling, and loosen mucus.
• Honey: Honey has natural antibacterial and soothing properties that can help coat the throat and reduce irritation. You can consume a tablespoon of honey directly or mix it into a warm tea, like chamomile or ginger tea, for added benefits.
• Chamomile Tea: Chamomile tea is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help soothe a sore throat and reduce inflammation. Drinking it warm also keeps the throat hydrated and relaxed.

Body Aches

• Take a Hot Bath: Hot baths improve circulation, ease muscle tension, and reduce inflammation. To enhance relaxation, add Epsom salts, which are rich in magnesium to soothe sore muscles, or a few drops of essential oils like lavender for extra relief.
• Lavender Oil: Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and calming effects that help ease body aches and relax muscles. You can dilute it in a carrier oil and massage it onto sore areas, or add a few drops to a warm bath.
• Turmeric: Turmeric contains curcumin, a compound with powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce body aches. You can add turmeric to soups, curries, or smoothies or mix it into warm milk (golden milk) for a soothing drink.

Nausea

• Eat Ginger: Ginger has gingerol, a natural compound that supports digestion and reduces nausea. To relieve nausea, you can chew on fresh ginger, sip ginger tea, or add ginger to warm water with honey.
• Peppermint Aromatherapy: The scent of peppermint helps soothe the stomach and can reduce nausea. You can inhale peppermint essential oil directly, diffuse it, or add a few drops to a tissue and breathe in the aroma when feeling queasy.
• Lemon: Citrus scents like lemon can help relieve nausea by refreshing the senses and promoting salivation, which aids digestion. You can drink lemon water, chew on a lemon slice, or simply inhale the scent for quick relief.

Prioritizing our health can make all the difference during the holiday season. By keeping these natural remedies in mind, you can be ready to fight off symptoms early and stay present with loved ones during all the festivities.