Killer Cold Killers
Did you wake up from the holiday season feeling less than merry? With the cold season in full effect, a recovery period from the holidays is often the story. And when you’re feeling really bad, it’s hard not to tromp down to the pharmacy and buy up everything you see in hopes of a quick fix. We’re here to tell you a more natural approach is not only possible, it’s easy. And while there are a lot of recipes out there for natural cold remedies, many call for ingredients most of us don’t have in the cupboard (eucalyptus extract and dried nettles might be great, but finding these on a sick day? Good luck!). Here are a few of our favorites that use common kitchen items – and have been tested by a recent cold.
Throat Gargle
First thing’s first – a lot of killer colds start with a tick in the back of the throat. At first sign of irritation, gargle with this simple non-delicious mix. Yes – it’s not the most pleasant tasting drink in the world, but it will soothe your soreness and clears mucus from your throat.
- Warm water (not boiling)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
How to do it
Mix ingredients together in a mug. Take a sip, and tilt your head up, holding the water in the back of your throat without swallowing. Gargle. The further back, the better (and less taste!). Spit the water out. Try to do this three or four times during the day.
Ginger Tea with Garlic
The mixture of ginger and garlic is what gives this tea its potent powers. Don’t worry – ginger is stronger than garlic and will help mask the bitterness. This tea soothes a sore throat and acts as a decongestant a stuffy nose and chest.
* 1 ounce piece of ginger root, grated
* 1/2 lemon, sliced and unpeeled
* 1 clove of garlic, mashed
* 2 cups water
* 1 tablespoon honey
Mix water, lemon, and garlic in saucepan. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for about 15 minutes. Pour through strainer and add a generous helping of honey.
Home Cough Syrup
Honey and lemon are at it again in this nice-to-have syrup that you can store in your fridge.
* 3 tbsp lemon juice
* 1 cup honey
* 1/4 cup warm water
Combine lemon juice and honey in a bowl. Stir in warm water until a syrup consistency is reached. Take 1-2 teaspoons for cough. There are a lot of varieties of cough syrups online, so we challenge you to find the one that works (and tastes!) best to you. You can add rosemary or chamomile tea instead of water, or few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus extract.
Best ingredient of all? Rest. And plenty of it. When you are ill, take the dang day off and stay in bed. And try not to feel guilty about it – we know you are very busy and important, but we want you to get yourself back on track faster, as well as keep your friendly cold away from others.
Get well soon!
9 Comments
I like the Ginger Tea recipe. I use Linga Mudra technique, it is very effective for colds, even when you have colds and when you do this, the cold disappears quickly. http://goo.gl/W6pJ
I do the same ginger recipe but I add a shot of rum!
1/2 teaspoon of what?
Salt! Ha – thanks for the catch.
I love this site.. and I love the ginger tea… It helps clear the yuks up. I find the less you take from the pharmacy the more you body reacts well to the natural way of things. Great insights. Callie
I thought it was only my mum that suggested the salt+water gargle tactic
)! I wish I’d seen these recipes before when I had a horrible (borderline satanic) cold a little while ago! They sound lovely. I was I was curious to know whether there were other things that you could put in apart from ginger or honey. Chocolate, perhaps? 
)
I was wondering whether there were any other recipes that would combat the ongoing battle against the seemingly neverending cold. Thank you.
-Vanessa, 16 (UK)
Well..I’ll try anything at this point. I’ve tried all the drugstore remedies, looking for natural healthy alternative. Off to try the Ginger Tea & Home Cough Syrup…I even have the ingredients ! Here’s hoping it cures me !
The ” Snuffle – upagus ” – Lol
London ON
these really help my cold get better.
love you girls and this site
Oil of Oregano! I swear by it… 4 drops into a shot glass of water and it will stop a cold dead in its tracks. it takes less than a day to feel better.
try it, you’ll love it!