Herbal Remedies for Colds

CNN announced last night that 41 out of 50 of the United States are suffering from severe seasonal flu outbreaks. Doctors may recommend any of several over-the-counter medications from your pharmacist, but before you spend anywhere between 10-30 dollars of your hard-earned cash, take a look in your kitchen pantry first. There are many herbal remedies you can consult first that are just as effective.

1. Honey and cinnamon are natural antibacterial agents. Take 1 teaspoon of honey and 1/4 a teaspoon of cinnamon three times a day to knock out a tough cold sooner.

2. Syrup of elderberry is also good for treating head-colds. Take 1 to 3 teaspoons three times a day of it in syrup or glycerite form.

3. Peppermint has been known to drop temperatures dramatically. It may, however, interfere with other homeopathic medicines, so only administer this tea on its own.

Mix 1 ounce dried elder flowers and 1 ounce of dried peppermint leaves into a saucepan. Pour 1/2 pint of boiling water over the herbs. Cover it and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Finally, strain it into a cup and you're ready to serve. You may also sweeten it with honey if desired.

4. Inhalations of eucalyptus, chamomile or thyme are good for clearing the sinuses. Steam these herbs and inhale the vapors in the morning to wake up, and before bed to help fall asleep.

These are just a few helpful homemade remedies to help get you through this tough flu season. Most of all, be sure to bundle up, wash your hands and keep out of the cold!

Good luck, and blessed be.

Login or Signup to reply to this post.

All this is quite true. However, we must remember that every known medicine sold by pharmacists is based on plants of one kind or another. Manufactured drugs, of course, must be prescribed by a doctor.

A valid point. I just don't trust the processes they use to chemically derive medicine from plants. Why not skip the middle man and use the plant itself?

Because the medications sold by pharmacists are concentrated, and purified. Just the same as the potions and oils sold by "magic! shops. Do you really want to pound the bark of a willow tree to produce Aspirin?
I agree that the use of herbs you name are beneficial,but they take the preparation already done by the chemists.By all means use the herbs if you wish. I still use many of them.It is just more convenient, for others, to use the pharmacist. I still bake my own bread; but many more buy a loaf!

All fair points. :)

I try and treat myself with over the counter man made stuff first then I try herbal remedies. I inhale the steam of mangnolia flower tea to break up congestion, then I drink the tea with honey, cinnamon, and lemon.

Garlic and onions are also great for colds. I make up some french onion soup when I'm sick. I also drink lots of teas and water. I recently recovered from a bout of the flu. It was dreadful. Just remember to take care of yourself and go to the doctor if you are unable to treat yourself.

Thank you for the post. It has good information. Upping garlic intake helps too. I take the gelcaps. I think its important to take care of yourself. And doing it this way makes you stay inside where its warm, and makes you feel better at same time. I am currently fighting it off, as I don't want sinus infection like my son-in-law, and pneumonia like my daughter. Since using herbs, I have not had a severe cold. I used to catch everything, but now I am better. Thank the Earth and what She gives us! Blessed Be...

Chili and chili peppers/chili oils on foods have always been a remedy for colds in my house growing up. Along with of course Garlic! If you can make an oil or roasted chilies and garlic its great for kicking the colds in the but, also obviously clearing out your sinuses like a kitchen sink. As a pagan and witch I try to live the most natural life I can I don't believe in the process of healing with prescribed or over the counter synthetically created medicines. I go to a naturopath if things get out of hand. Our bodies are designed to take the medicine from plants and produce not from a concentrated chemically processed tablet with 1,001 horrible side effects. Nutrition is the true medicine to avoid all sickness in the beginning. That's the way all the research I've read upon has proven itself.

Thank you for all of the wonderful information.

It just so happens that I've been drinking a potion of honey and cinnamon twice a day for about a week now to aid with weight loss while on my diet. Glad to hear it can also help keep me from getting ill :)