Natural Herbal Remedies for Cold & Flu

The current variant of the H3N2 influenza virus is a very nasty strain that’s working its way through the United States. This year’s flu vaccine isn’t as effective as one would hope.

Natural remedies may help you best the cold and flu season.

Common Cold vs. Flu

The common cold typically involves sniffling and coughing. The flu comes with body aches, headaches and fever. You can function through a cold, but the flu knocks you down.

Enhancing Immunity

Vitamin D can be bumped for three days to awaken your immune system. It will help your body fight off cold and flu. Around 5,000 IU daily with food should be your daily standard.

Vitamin A is fat soluble. It’s great for immunity and antioxidant activity. You can get a lot of vitamin A from food. A supplement of 5,000 IU daily should be plenty.

Vitamin C helps your immune system. It’s water soluble, so spread out your dosage throughout the day to keep it in your system. You may consider taking 4,000 to 6,000 milligrams of vitamin C per day when you are sick. A vitamin drip might also help you.

Nasal Congestion

Eucalyptus oil on the chest, back, tops of feet and below the nose can help open up nasal passages. It also helps with muscle pain.

Oregano oil is antibacterial. It helps reduce swelling in the mucus membranes. A nasal spray or supplement could assist you.

Echinacea is antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial. It enhances the immune system’s resistance to infection. At the first signs of upper respiratory issues, take out 900 milligrams over the course of three doses per day. Speak with your doctor before dosing your children with echinacea.

Olive leaf extract is great for children and adults. It kills viruses.

Turmeric is great for body aches and joint pain. A turmeric gargle can aid throat soreness.

Saline treatments will lubricate the nasal passages and help clear out mucus.

Best Eats

• Cut back on the sugar to reduce mucus. Sugar feeds bacteria and viruses.
• Lay off the dairy. Dairy contributes to lingering mucus.
• Garlic is anti-bacterial.
• Homemade chicken soup can loosen up the mucus in the upper respiratory system.
• Ginger tea warms the body and soothes the stomach.
• Peppermint tea helps with headaches, congestion and stomach aches.
• Licorice tea soothes a sore throat.

Dr. Nikki’s Magic Throat Gargle

1/2 cup water
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 to 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper or powder

Mix ingredients. Gargle for one minute two or three times a day. The lymph nodes shrink. The mucus will loosen. The pain in the throat will subside. It doesn’t taste great but it helps. Don’t swallow.

Listen as Dr. Nikki Arguinzoni-Gil joins Dr. Susanne Bennett to share some natural herbal remedies to help you through this cold and flu season.