With the failing healthcare system in Canada, we’re relying more and more on home remedies for cold and flu season. I’m on day 2 of the virus and quickly realized how lucky I was to have had so many people over the course of my life, share their home remedies with me. So I figured I’ll share them with you.
I keep a cold and flu kit at home and strongly recommend everyone does. It just makes life easier to have everything on hand and not have to go to the store to get stuff. You should be at home resting, not going out in public. If you’re wondering what is in a cold and flu, you can read about that here.
Home Remedies for Sore Throat
Have the usual on hand: Throat spray, lozenges, and cold meds.
Gargle with salt water: mix 1/4 tsp to 8oz of warm water. Stir it up and then gargle some of it for 10-15 seconds before spitting it out. Repeat until all 8oz has been used. I do this 3 times a day.
Honey and Tea: Add 2 tbsp of honey to a glass of warm tea.
Jello Juice for Sore Throat: I stumbled upon this recently and I am not disappointed. Simply make Jello like normal (I recommend orange for this one). After it’s done boiling, transfer Jello to a mixing bowl. Add 2 cups of cold water and then pour into a mug., Add honey and microwave for 30 seconds.
Home Remedies for Congestion
Have the usual on hand: Nasal spray, Kleenex, and cold meds.
Warm apple juice: This was a favourite hack for me when my kids were smaller. Heat up a glass of apple juice and it somehow relieves congestion.
Steamy Shower: There is absolutely nothing better than sitting in a hot shower and breathing in the steam. It instantly clears your nasal passages. If you have little ones I recommend cuddling with them besides the shower. I don’t want to risk burning them and a less hot shower won’t produce enough steam.
Extra Pillow: You should use a pillow to prop yourself up so you can drain your sinuses. For little ones, I recommend rolling up a towel and placing it under their mattress. Kids are crazy sleepers so this just helps prop them up.
Home Remedies for Diarrhea/Vomiting
Have the usual on hand: Gravel, Ginger-ale and toilet paper.
Jello Juice Recipe 1: This Jello juice recipe has saved me countless times. It tastes yummy and works quickly. Simply make jello as normal except instead of adding cold water, add 2 cups of cold ginger ale. Add to a mug and drink up!
Other Home Remedies for Cold and Flu
Hydration: Drink lots of water and Gatorade.
Rest: Lots and lots of rest! Sleep, lay in bed watching movies, or lay in bed reading. Your body is fighting a virus and it needs to put all its energy into that. So rest!
Chicken Noodle Soup: Chicken noodle soup fixes everything. I always have a few cans of soup on hand, but my absolute must-have chicken noodle recipe is this one. You feel better just smelling it! The dill, lemon, and garlic in the recipe work beautifully together and I strongly recommend making a bath of this for anyone you know of that’s sick.
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