4 Natural Remedies to Fight Off Cold Season Print 2 LikeDislike By Rachael DeVaux, RD Have you been hit with the sick bug this year yet? If so, I hope you were able to combat it quickly. If not, I put together a list of my absolute favorite herbs and natural remedies for cold and flu – these are some must have on hand tips and products if and when necessary. I was struck with a severe cold for two weeks this fall and suffered from an ongoing cough for many weeks after. For me, the worst part about being sick is that I’m usually left with a congested cough for quite some time following the cold. I always try to treat my symptoms naturally without resorting to over the counter cold medicines that never work anyway. I have found great relief using herbs and natural remedies for colds. Here are four of my sick season essentials:1. Probiotics for Strong ImmunityThe best thing to do is to avoid getting sick in the first place! It’s important to keep your immune system resilient all year round so that it is ready to fight off any incoming bacteria or infection. And since nearly 80% of your immune system lies within your gut, it’s important to supply your gut with everything it needs to stay strong. I’m mainly talking about bacteria. There are countless good bacteria that live inside and on our bodies to help it function properly. One of these is called probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that have a wide variety of health benefits, such as aiding in digestion and boosting immune health.I try to consume as many probiotic-rich foods before resorting to probiotic supplements. I choose foods like kombucha, sauerkraut, sourdough bread, yogurt, kimchi, and miso to help feed the beneficial bacteria in the gut. Your gut and immune system will be stronger to fight off infections and to help you recover faster if you do get sick.2. TurmericTurmeric is a root member of the ginger family. It has large amounts of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, even proving to relieve digestive discomfort. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is the ingredient that gives turmeric its bright, orange color and is largely responsible for all these amazing health benefits. Black pepper has been found to increase the body’s absorption of turmeric significantly, so pairing the two is always recommended. Turmeric is available in many forms and is a great natural spice to incorporate into your daily living. I put turmeric in and on everything – eggs, cauliflower, tofu, broccoli, chicken, in smoothies, elixirs, mixed with coconut oil for a natural teeth whitener, and more.3. Steam Tent for CongestionAs soon as I get a runny nose and congestion starts forming in my chest, I immediately start using a steam tent. This is a great way to relieve pressure in the nasal canal and also allows you to sweat out toxins in your own makeshift sauna. It leaves you feeling detoxified, exfoliated and relaxed.How to: Boil a large pot of water, add your own essential oils (I use 2 Tbsp. Franklin & Whitman’s Botanical Steam mixture) to a glass bowl and pour the boiling water over the herbs/oils. Hold a towel open over your head, close your eyes and lean over the bowl of steaming water. Breathe in deeply through your nose, and inhale the steam for about 10-15 minutes.4. Herbs and MineralsI use a lot of herbal products on a daily basis, and I have a few that are particularly helpful when I’m sick. Elderberry tea is my favorite tea to consume when I develop any congestion or cough. Elderberry syrup is another staple I take several times a day while I’m sick. The flowers and berries of elderberry plants (blue and black) are most often used medicinally. They contain flavonoids, which have antioxidant and immunologic properties that can help in treating influenza, bacterial sinusitis, and bronchitis. You can also make delicious elderberry gummies that the whole family will love. Taking a relaxing bath with mineral salts can also really help your entire body to relax. I use peppermint scented salts, because peppermint helps treat symptoms of coughs and colds.I hope you will make it through this winter season healthy and strong, but if you get sick this year, try my sick season essentials – natural remedies for cold and flu- and treat your symptoms naturally.Shop here for Further Food Superfood Turmeric or Premium Curcumin TurmericWant to read more?7 Amazingly Powerful Spices to Help You Ease Allergies, Reduce Pain and MoreThe Microbiome 101: Your Gut Health ExplainedBrrr! 5 Hot Smoothies to Help You Stay Warm This WinterReferences:-Berggren, A., Lazou Ahrén, I., Larsson, N., & Önning, G. (2011). Randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled study using new probiotic lactobacilli for strengthening the body immune defence against viral infections. European Journal of Nutrition, 50(3), 203–210. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-010-0127-6 – Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Cheung, L., Goldberg, H., Hammerness, P., Isaac, R., … Wortley, J. (2014). An Evidence-Based Systematic Review of Elderberry and Elderflower ( Sambucus nigra) by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 11(1), 80–120. https://doi.org/10.3109/19390211.2013.859852*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Janet penserum January 19, 2021 at 3:14 pmI.can get Elderberry not sugar and Probiotics not sugar not salt Reply ↓
What is Mushroom Coffee? What is Mushroom Coffee? What is mushroom coffee, and what does mushroom coffee taste like? This relatively new trend began to gain popularity around the 2010s and has grown to capture interest in all sectors of the food, health, and coffee indus...
Raw VS Cooked Vegetables: Benefits and Success Stories What You Need To Know About Raw VS Cooked Vegetables Interested in a raw food diet but unsure about how to get started? Proponents of a raw food lifestyle eat only uncooked and unprocessed foods because it is believed that heating food destroys i...
What To Know About The Bone Broth Weight Loss Diet What To Know About The Bone Broth Weight Loss Diet With all the mail I receive from people who are excited about starting the bone broth weight loss diet, there’s one question I’m hearing a lot: “Can I do this diet if I’m a vegetarian, pe...
5 Benefits of Exercise as You Age First of all, why is it important to stay active as we age? As we age, we can feel less stamina and agility than we did when we were younger. But this doesn’t mean we should stop moving altogether. In fact, it’s the opposite! By incorporating re...
Tips on How to Help With Constipation As a Functional Nutritional Therapist, one of the most common digestive complaints I hear from my patients is that they suffer from chronic constipation. They aren’t alone. In the U.S, we spend billions of dollars on over-the-counter and pharmaceu...
Vitality at Any Age – 10 Tips to Slow Down Aging As a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, I often meet with women in their midlife and older who are struggling with signs of aging. They complain that their skin has lost its elasticity, they keep getting new wrinkles that seem to deepen da...