Best Cold and Flu Home Remedies
Colds are a common reaction from your immune system to fight off viruses and often occurs when the seasons change. Its quite normal to get a cold once per year and is actually a sign that your immune system is doing its job!
Some of the symptoms of a cold and flu are:
- congested sinuses
- coughing and sore throat
- headaches
- a runny nose
- body aches
- fever chills
What to do to speed up recovery?
If you happen to catch the flu, this is a normal reaction when seasons change. Not to worry, there are many kitchen medicinal herbs, vitamins and minerals that can be taken to support your immune system naturally, reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of the cold. I’ve outlined a number of these below.
Top Cold + Flu Natural Supplements & Herbs
1.Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa)
Black seed oil contains a compound Thymoquinone which is the active compound in Hydroxychloroquine, the medication that was shown to be effective against covid.
dosage: 1 tsp 2X per day, under tongue for 1 minute morning and night, 30 min before food.
2. Liposomal Vitamin C + Glutathione
The body uses much of its vitamin C to heal infections. Vitamin C is such an important part of the immune system, so much so that during an infection, 50% of your body stores get depleted. It is also critical for your resilience to stress as it is used up by the adrenals to make stress hormones. It is also essential for muscle and joint function as well as recovery from surgeries. Those who smoke cigarettes require much higher levels of Vitamin C as it gets depleted by 25 mg for each cigarette you smoke.
Food forms of Vitamin C that the body recognizes and are well absorbed: parsley leaf and rose hip, acerola cherry.
High doses of Vitamin C are safe and can go up to 5000 IU – 7000 IU per day and reduce once symptoms resolve.
For a complete immune support: Liposomal vitamin C combined with glutathione, zinc, selenium and copper.
3. Zinc
Zinc is a cofactor used in between 200-300 enzymatic reactions in the body. Its central to immune function, skin and gut integrity, growth and repair, as well as metabolism and breakdown of certain compounds such as alcohol. Zinc is really useful for cold and flus. It stops the replication of viruses inside the cell. Food sources of zinc include: pumpkin seeds, oysters and shiitake mushrooms.
To optimise Zinc asborption -. i.e. get it inside the cell, we need Zinc Ionophores. These include plant polyphenols Quercetin (present in elderberry, red onions, berries, purple cabbage, purple grape) and Epicatechins , (present in green tea.)
Best forms of zinc: Zinc picolinate or Zinc ionophores
Dosage: 30 mg 2x per day with food for those with a sensitive stomach
4. Magnesium
Magnesium plays over 300 enzymatic functions in the body. One of these is to expel heavy metals out of the body and support energy production.
There are many forms available, and the one you chose depends on your needs and ability to absorb nutrients.
Options for supplemental magnesium:
Magnesium chloride is a transdermal (TOPICAL) form that you can apply to the skin daily (1 hour away from shower). You can buy the mg chloride flakes and dilute them 1:1 with water or buy the spray which does the combination for you.
Alternatively, take at home salt baths or ocean dips regularly.
Good oral magnesium options include Mg citrate or Mg bisglycinate 150 mg 2 x per day (with food – lunch and dinner).
5. Vitamin D
Best way is to get natural sunlight regularly (at least 20-30 minutes per day on bare skin). No sunscreen for those 20 minutes as they block vitamin the rays necessary to produce Vitamin D. If this is not possible, opt for an oily fish supplement like Cod Liver Oil.
Avoid use while on anti-coagulant medications.
Other ways to support the immune system
1. Nutrition During the Flu
Include phytonutrient rich foods: clove, turmeric, cinnamon, spirulina, blueberries all support liver detoxification and immune function against pathogens.
Increase Stomach Acid to Kill Not So Friendly Bacteria and Viruses by supporting your digestion. See this article to improve digestion.
Bitters (dandelion, andrographis, orange peel, chicory, rocket) and sip on herbal teas throughout the day made with one or a combination of :
Ginger root, turmeric root chopped, orange peel, thyme, fennel seeds, cinnamon
Probiotic foods: kefir, coconut kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, natto. Probiotics regulate immune function and help to fight off infection.
Avoid heavy fried foods, dairy, and cold foods like iced drinks and ice cream.
Include warming soups, stews, and hot liquids.
2. Improve Dental Hygiene
The mouth is the first contact with pathogens. Practice oil pulling before brushing your teeth & tongue scraping to ensure immune defense.
3. Support a Dry Throat
Gargle salt water to clear mucus from throat – > if your cough is persistent and dry. Consider taking N-Acetyl Cysteine – which is an amino acid with potent antioxidant, liver and respiratory supportive properties. Another great tip: gargle thyme tea or thyme essential oil 3 x per day.
4. Get Some Fresh Air
The oxygen you get from plants and the negative ionic energy from being out in nature boosts natural killer cell activity which support immune function. Plus regular exposure to nature is shown in the research to improve mood and increase energy.
5. Headaches
Peppermint or eucalyptus under nose to clear nostrils or dabbed on the head for any headache (mix with other oil or cream to avoid skin reaction)
For Toddler: 1/2 to 1/4 of the dosage of an adults
6. Colloidal Silver
Colloidal silver is a great anti-bacterial that can be used topically for many infections (eye, nose, mouth, skin).
Suggested Dosage: 1 tbsp colloidal silver under tongue for 10 minutes.
Every person and constitution is different and you should always consult with your health care practitioner about your health complaints and when starting a new regime. This is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.
