The cold weather may bring with it a case of the sniffles or flu. Sudden fall in temperatures may cause unwanted illness, making us unable to do our regular routines. Everyone wants to be able to lead a normal life and carry on with everyday activities despite the weather. I have always relied on natural remedies and methods in beating winter ailments, or just battling winter cold naturally. It is easy to go to the drugstore and take medicine when you’re sick. As much as possible, I try to avoid chemicals to enter my body.
I have discovered several effective and natural ways to treat winter cold. Here are 10 natural ways to beat winter cold:
#10 Elderberry Syrup
The natural juices of elderberry are high in immune compounds, especially useful in battling the common cold. The black elderberry variety can help in avoiding minor illnesses because they contain plenty of Vitamins A, B, and C.
There is medical evidence that elderberry helps reduce swelling in mucous membranes and helps relieve nasal congestion. You can make your own elderberry syrup by following this simple recipe.
#9 Oil of Oregano
Oregano oil has antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Oil is extracted from the oregano plant using steam distillation, but you don’t have to do it yourself.
It’s easy to purchase oregano oil online or from stores that sell natural healing products. Ingest three to four drops, and then follow right away with a full glass of water. It doesn’t really taste that good, but it is very effective against winter cold.
#8 Raw Honey and Lemon
Raw honey is a great ingredient because it has natural antimicrobial properties. Honey boosts immunity and lemon is full of Vitamin C. The best thing about honey is that you can mix it with just about anything – teas, apple cider vinegar, or oatmeal.
I love to eat a spoonful of honey now and then just for the sake of taste, but it’s also good to know that it helps our bodies prevent cold.
#7 Salt water rinse
When I wake up in the morning with nasal congestion, I just gargle with lukewarm water and salt, and the congestion magically disappears.
Salt water also reduces bacteria and removes virus particles, thus it also helps fight acne. It’s a simple but very effective method that works all the time.
#6 Echinacea
Studies show that Echinacea helps reduce cold and has a positive effect on the immune system in general.
However, it is not nearly as effective as elderberry syrup or oil of oregano. I like the taste of the tea, though.
#5 Fermented Cod Liver Oil
It may sound disgusting, but it’s good for you to take one teaspoon of fermented cod liver oil every winter morning. It has Omega 3 that is important when we you not getting enough Vitamin D from the sun. So, to avoid having to eat this, try to spend a bit more time outside.
Vitamin D helps our body’s immune functions, so if you have low Vitamin D levels in your body, you are more likely to catch common colds, especially during the winter.
#4 American Ginseng Root
Not to be confused with its Asian or European cousins, American ginseng, in particular, is used to boost the immune system and effective for preventing flu and viruses.
In fact, its extract is added to over-the-counter cold medicines.
#3 Garlic
Aside from being effective against high blood pressure and fungal infections, garlic is used to combat the common cold. As much some people like the taste, other people don’t enjoy the smell, so if you eat a lot of garlic, make sure you brush your teeth regularly.
#2 Ginger Tea
A fresh slice of ginger root, lemon, and honey will help stop cold symptoms. It also helps hydrate and soothe a scratchy throat.
I love drinking ginger tea with a bit of honey or lemongrass on a cold winter’s night.
#1 Apple Cider Vinegar
Drinking apple cider vinegar whenever you have a bad cough during winter months can expel phlegm right away. Apple cider vinegar creates alkaline for viruses, which effectively fights bacteria that causes colds and flu.
What’s your favourite natural way to beat a winter illness?
Oh man. Cold and flu season in this house right now. My go to has always been chewing a big clove of garlic. I’m glad there are many other, less stinky methods I could try!
Definitely!
I am a serious germaphobe so I knew about all of these except elderberry, which I will check out. I eat garlic every single day, raw if I can, but otherwise roasted. I am also huge on acv, honey, ginger, and lemon. I haven’t been brave enough to try oregano oil yet. Have you?
I’ve tried it once and it’s ok. You should be brave enough to do it. Go Laura, go!
Uhg the weather in New York has been all over the place lately. These tips are wonderful and a good refresher, this reminds me I need to start drinking my tea more!
Great! Thanks, Mary!
Thank you for stopping by my site Agnes. I’m happy to announce that I’m a regular with apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, honey and lemon 🙂
I love adding apple cider vinegar to my salad. Happy to keep in touch x 🙂
Great article and tips. It has been a particularly nasty cold and flu season and these are some perfect natural ways to combat them. 🙂 Thanks for visiting my site.
It’s lovely to keep in touch, Stacey! I’m glad you liked the tips!
Beautiful photography!!
Thanks a lot! 🙂
I love all of these natural remedies! It seems like everyone has been getting hit hard with the cold and flu right now! I will definitely have to try these out. XOXO.
I love them too and haven’t been sick for a while! 🙂
What a fantastic list of natural items. As a pharmacist, l always recommended quite a bit off the list for patients to the chagrin of my supervisors.. I hate taking my medication and so l definitely don’t want to add more. I need to go back to adding apple cider vinegar to my water :-).
Thanks, Kemkem! x
The honey and lemon combination is familiar to me, but I could have used all of these cold fighters last week when I was fighting off a great big nasty cold. GREG
Next time! 🙂
These are great! Elderberry is wonderful for fighting colds. My husband always gets them in the winter and we keep it in our cabinent.
Agree!
I love honey/lemon and ginger tea! Thanks for the tips!
https://violettedaily.com
Me too, Violette! 🙂
It’s summer down under but now I’m ready when the cold weather colds arrive. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Maureen.
Great list! It’s always good to try something without medicine to feel better!
Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
Love this tips! Garlic and ginger tea are my favourites too 😉
Nice to hear that, Evi.
Cold season is awful, but sometimes it’s hard to avoid! Natural remedies are definitely a go to, when possible. Awesome collection you have here. I always try to eat more garlic and ginger when I have a cold. Plus, I just love the taste of both, especially when added to chicken broth 🙂
Thanks, girl for sharing. I hate being cold and these natural ways can definitely help you recover from a bad cold!
Great post Agness…perfect timing as we are all facing cold weather and fighting cold and flu…and nothing better that natural remedies…thanks!
I hope you are enjoying your week
Thank you, Juliana. I’ve been enjoying my week a lot. Just came back from North Korea! 🙂
I hadn’t heard that about oregano oil. How interesting! Guess I need to stock up;)
You should, Maria!
wow so many unique natural remedies! I use few of these but so many of these are so new to me!! Thanks for a wonderful article!
Great to hear that, Ami!
Great tips, I do Omega 3 fish oil every morning.
I love drinking tea, currently on a peppermint kick, but I will have to look into ginger tea.
I eat a lot of fat fish each day. Well done, Abby!
Great tips that I will have to try! I live in Texas so the weather is constantly cold to hot, hot to cold. My body can’t adjust fast enough!
Stay healthy, Lauren!