You don’t need to rely on Big Pharma to help you get through cold and flu symptoms. Instead, try these natural methods to feel better!
by Lori Gurtman | Lori Gurtman lives in Aspen, Colorado with her husband, two teenage children, and Old English Sheepdog. Reading and writing are her favorite escape, but when she isn’t doing that, she can be found on the mountain: hiking, biking, or skiing. Lori is also a published author, freelance writer, certified proofreader, and college essay tutor—who is passionate about empowering her students to write from their hearts. Follow her on Twitter @lorigurtman.
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For the past decade, I’ve been on a quest searching for a secret elixir that will keep me in a perfect state of health, ensuring that I never get sick. Although I’ve yet to discover the magic potion, I’ve found a few proven all-natural remedies that helps minimize the duration of a cold, or the flu, and best of all, cured me of omicron!
Before I begin, let’s be clear: I am not a doctor or a naturopath, and when I have a pounding headache, I have no problem taking two Excedrin—it works wonders for me.
On the other hand, I’m not someone who runs to the doctor asking for an antibiotic when I have a bad cough or I’m sick. From my research on the World Wide Web, I’ve learned that taking too many antibiotics is bad for your gut health, stripping it of essential bacteria. Consequently, this weakens your immune system and makes you susceptible to other illnesses.
I still get ill from time to time, but since I take a natural, proactive approach, I haven’t needed a prescription from Big Pharma to fight it off. So, with my non-doctor degree and my personal experience, I’d like to share some great ways to be naturally proactive when suffering from cold and flu symptoms.
Cold Calm
At the first sign of a cold, I grab Cold Calm, homeopathic medicine that reduces and shortens the duration of cold symptoms. The key is to use this at the onset of symptoms to wipe out the illness before it fully manifests.
Sometimes when a cold comes on fast and furious, I miss the window to knock it out. When this happens, I still take Cold Calm, but I don’t find it as effective as when I take it at the beginning of my illness. The great thing about homeopathic remedies is that they don’t have side effects, and you can’t overdose on them—so there’s no harm in continuing to take them while you’re not feeling well.
Oregano Oil
Oregano oil is one of my favorite go-to natural remedies. Known for its antiviral, antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, this potent oil, which comes from the oregano plant, will boost your immune system and attack the root cause of viruses. Unfortunately, most people reach for over-the-counter medicines, such as Day Quill or Tylenol Cold and Flu, but these products only mask your symptoms, rather than cure them.
Many people can’t tolerate the taste of pure oregano oil. If you’re one of those people, try the capsules. I don’t take oregano oil daily, but I always travel with the capsules in case I start to feel rundown. When I’m home and not well, I go for the hard stuff—the straight oil. You’re supposed to mix it with a carrier oil, but I usually add a few drops to a glass of orange juice and chug it fast a few times a day. Additionally, I put some oil on my feet before bed to get into my bloodstream. Again, mix it with a carrier oil because it might burn a little.
And, yes, you will smell like a pizza for a few days, but I think it’s worth it—especially because this miracle plant from nature has such powerful healing potential.
Ginger, Lemon, and Honey Tea
I used to buy fresh ginger shots from my local health food store when I wasn’t feeling well, but they tend to be pricey, so to save some money, I learned how to make my immunity boosting tea with ginger, lemon, and honey tea to sip on when I’m not well.
Ingredients
8 ounces of water
Juice of a lemon
Freshly grated ginger
Raw organic honey to taste
Directions:
Pour water and ginger into a saucepan and boil. Add lemon juice when water starts to bubble. Let the mixture steep for five to ten minutes. Remove from stove, pour over a strainer, with a mug or bowl underneath. Add honey to taste and drink up.
Fresh Air and Vitamin D
If you’re feeling up to it, get outside and take a walk. Lying in bed for hours on end only makes you feel worse. Regardless of how bad the weather is, I always try to get outside to feel the sun on my face and take deep breaths of fresh air.
Laughter
Laughing does wonders for your immune system. So, next time you’re stuck in bed, feeling crappy, watch comedies. Laughing lowers stress levels, gives you a positive outlook, alleviates pain, and helps the immune system get in gear to combat your illness.
Giving In
There was a time when I got angry when an illness got me down, believing it was a sign of weakness. I tried repeating affirmations like I am in perfect health. My body is strong. My immune system is powerful.
The truth was, I never felt the power behind my words. After all, I didn’t feel well. Who was I kidding telling myself I felt great when I was sick? So, instead of affirmations, I now have a better approach––I give in. For whatever reason when my body becomes rundown, I now view it as a signal that I need to rest. Mentally fighting off my sickness doesn’t provide relief. However, giving in to it and allowing it to run its course is much more effective.
Wild Cherry Bark Syrup
I swear by this stuff: Old Indian Wild Cherry Bark Syrup for a cough. Whenever I get a dry or wet cough, usually following a cold, I take a tablespoon of the syrup every two hours for two-to-three days, and low and behold, the cough disappears.
Recently, I told a friend to buy it for her son, who had a lingering cough from COVID, and she said it wiped out her son’s cough immediately. Personally, it usually takes me a few days, but it always works, and as I said before, I haven’t had to use any meds from Big Pharma in decades.
Warning: It isn’t the most pleasant tasting stuff. So, I usually chase it down with juice afterward. But, as bad as it tastes, it does the trick.
You can buy it on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Planetary-Herbals-Indian-Cherry-Echinacea/dp/B001CA3CPM or at your local health food store.
Final Words
I can’t promise miracle cures for all your cold and flu symptoms, but by following the suggestions above I do think they may heal you faster than if you only rely on over-the-counter meds.
When I had omicron, I was diligent about using my natural remedies. In the end, my cold-like symptoms only lasted four days, maximum. Would my sickness have lasted longer if I hadn’t used my natural cures? It’s hard to say, but taking a proactive approach puts me in control of an illness instead of letting it control me. And, if it comes down to the placebo effect, then so be it—I’ll take it.
