The Best Natural Cold Remedies Ever

It’s that time when sniffles and sneezes are the chorus of the season.

When I feel under the weather, the first thing I reach for is a fresh clove of garlic and the jar of honey. Because of their antimicrobial properties, the combination of minced garlic and its sweet counterpart help my body fight the latest bug. Plus, I figure if I eat enough of it, no one will want to stand next to me, which is probably one of the best ways to prevent the cold in the first place.

All kidding aside, our parents and grandparents often had an arsenal of remedies in their gardens and kitchen cupboards, ready to make us feel better with these old-fashioned concoctions. While eating garlic to treat a cold (or any illness) is far from being recognized or approved by the FDA, there’s a reason these remedies have been around for centuries, or even thousands of years throughout the word. They seem to work.

Although many of these ingredients are foods we eat every day, talk to your doctor before consuming them in large amounts, or if you are pregnant. And if you’ve never used echinacea or wild licorice, check to make sure neither counteract with your medications or existing conditions.

Garlic’s healing heat

Being of Hungarian heritage, garlic is part of our “Holy Trinity” of old-country cooking, and this spicy seasoning is equally beneficial in fighting the cold and flu. In a University of Florida study, the people who ate garlic supplements three times a day had fewer colds than those who didn’t. And although it wasn’t a large enough study to be conclusive, it shows promise in confirming what our grandmothers always knew.

If you can stomach it, eat a raw clove when you feel ill, taking up to three cloves per day. A word of caution for anyone on blood thinners; garlic has a tendency to further thin the blood, so talk to your doctor before consuming. And definitely don’t eat garlic a week before surgery.

A spoonful of honey is a tasty cure for a cough

Honey that is thousands of years old is still edible, making it the only food that doesn’t spoil. Long-lasting because of its antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties, it’s no surprise honey is the first line in the fight against sore throats and coughs, as well as for the basis of herbal syrups. I’m grateful our bees provide gallons of this delicious remedy because whether one of our children has a cough, or I’m downing my minced garlic, honey is often part of the equation.

Honey naturally lessens inflammation, soothes the throat, and helps the body fight infection due to both anti-viral and anti-bacterial qualities. To coat a sore throat, drink a tea with just honey, or add lemon for its astringent properties, which ease irritated tissues. Or you can steep the honey mixture with cinnamon for the added benefit of cinnamon’s additional anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

And there is science to back up honey’s use to ease coughing. The Mayo Clinic cites a study indicating it is as effective as the cough remedy dextromethorphan, a common over-the-counter cough suppressant. A teaspoon of honey 30 minutes before bedtime decreases many coughs for kids over two years old or older and adults (never give a child younger than a year old honey due to the risk of infant botulism).

Echinacea for colds and flu

In Germany, echinacea is prescribed for colds and the flu to lessen its severity and duration. Although researchers can’t quite pinpoint why it works, it’s well known to boost the immune system.

The most effective way to take echinacea at the first sign of a cold is by tincture, which can be purchased in most health food stores or made at home. To make an echinacea root tincture you need 80-90 percent alcohol (vodka is often preferred, but you can use brandy or whiskey), dried or fresh echinacea root, and a glass jar with a lid. For fresh roots, fill the jar half full with the fresh, chopped root, then pour enough alcohol in the jar to fill it completely to the top. Since dried roots rehydrate, only fill the jar a quarter of the way with the chopped root before adding the alcohol. Place the jar in a dark place and shake every week for 6-8 weeks. Once finished, strain it through a cheesecloth being sure to squeeze as much alcohol out of the echinacea root as possible. Keep in an amber jar with a dropper. The tincture keeps for years if stored in a cool, dark place.

Enjoy a warming ginger tea during a cold

When a cold is coming on, it’s natural to gravitate towards warming food and drink. Ginger fits the bill. With reportedly a dozen anti-viral compounds, ginger is an excellent ingredient to have on hand to soothe sore throats and reduce inflammation in mucous membranes.

The easiest way to enjoy ginger is to finely chop two teaspoons of fresh ginger. Boil 1 1/2 cups of water, then add the ginger and steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a large mug. Add honey for sweetness (as well as honey’s added benefits). You can also include a pinch of cinnamon and a squeeze of lemon juice for a very comforting and healing beverage.

Echinacea is a popular herb to help boost the immune system.

Wild licorice is more than a sweet treat

Growing up, if I had a sore throat, I reached for licorice root to chew on for a few minutes. While it appeared I was simply gnawing on a stick, the demulcent qualities of this sweet (50 times more than sugar) and tasty root always worked wonders. Now I prefer the tea route, and often drink multiple cups of this delicious beverage if I am struggling with a sore throat or cough.

To make licorice tea, use 1/4 cup of dried licorice root, boiling it in two quarts of water for 2-3 minutes. Strain and pour into a Thermos to keep it warm.

Although licorice is a favorite remedy for a variety of illnesses, those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, liver or kidney issues, and low potassium should not consume it. Talk to your doctor about possible contraindications if you wish to use licorice.

Elderberry

The small, dark berries make delicious pies and jellies, but are incredibly effective in fighting the flu, too, which is why we have multiple bushes in our family garden. We need to harvest enough to satisfy our baking needs, while leaving plenty on-hand to make syrup during cold and flu season.

Mentioned in the writings of Hippocrates and Plinius, as far back as five B.C., Sambucol, the standardized extract of the black elderberry is used internationally to treat illnesses. Numerous studies indicate that taking the extract upon the onset of symptoms, reduces the duration of the flu by four days.

There are commercial elderberry syrups on the market, although it is easy to make at home. Use two cups of dried elderberries in four cups of water. (You can also add a cinnamon stick and a couple of teaspoons of grated ginger to increase the beneficial components.) Bring the herbs to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for approximately 40 minutes. Cool before straining into a glass jar and adding an equal amount of honey. This keeps in the refrigerator for several months. Take up to 1/4 cup at a time.

Fire Cider

An old remedy that isn’t for the weak of heart, fire cider brings together many of the well-known cold remedies in one powerful elixir. Plan ahead so you have a jar of this powerful immunity booster before the sickness season is upon you.

Making your own fire cider gives you a glimpse into its potent ingredients, and will often make your eyes water. Finely chop equal amounts of onion, garlic, ginger, and horseradish. Pack this into a quart jar, then pour a high-quality natural vinegar (such as Bragg’s) over all of it, filling the jar to the top. Add 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, depending on your tolerance level. Put a lid on the jar and place it in a cool, dark place, shaking it once a week for eight weeks. Strain the mixture through cheesecloth into a clean jar to keep for months. Take one ounce, two times per day when you don’t feel well.

Build your arsenal

While these remedies aren’t sanctioned as official cures for many of the complaints that plague us during winter months, when we use food as medicine we feel better while helping our bodies fight an illness naturally.