5 Natural Cold + Flu Remedies For Winter

Both the holiday and cold and flu season are upon us and it’s hard to not get caught up in the busyness this season brings. To avoid these nasty germs over the holidays, we want to first and foremost practice prevention by boosting our immune system through eating a rainbow diet (lots of coloured fruits and vegetables!), getting enough sleep, adequate exercise and relaxation or time for ourselves. I recently came across this amazing planner called The Passion Planner, you can check it out here http://www.passionplanner.com/ and it’s free to use. If you think you don’t have time for exercise, sleep, relaxation or eating a healthy diet over the holiday season, try scheduling all these things in on a daily basis! You will surprise yourself how much easier it becomes when you simply schedule it in. If you do however come down with a cold or flu we have some amazing natural remedies for you. 

5 Cold and Flu Remedies to Get You Feeling Like New Again:

• Ginger, honey and lemon tea - A dear friend of mine introduced this to me years ago. On the stovetop, heat up fresh ginger root, fresh lemon juice,  raw honey and some water. Honey is anti-bacterial and ginger contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon is high in vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and helps soothe the throat and irritated membranes. Sip and enjoy.

• Eucalyptus oil - This oil is magical. It clears sinuses by loosening mucous. It also has natural antibiotic properties fighting off bacteria and viruses in the body. You can add the oil to your hot bath or boil a pot on the stove, adding in a few drops of the oil and breathing in the vapor. You can get it in tea form and tincture form too.

• Echinacea - Research has shown that this herb can shorten the duration and the severity of a cold while enhancing immune defences. If you have been exposed to someone with a cold, use this as a preventative measure. You can get it in tablet, tea or tincture form.

• Liquorice root - Even with its sweetness, this anti inflammatory herb has many properties that can relieve cold and flu symptoms. It is a demulcent, which is soothing to sore throats, an antispasmodic, which is relaxing to tight coughs, and an expectorant, which is expelling to respiratory mucus. You can get it in tea form or tablet form.

• Elderberry - Studies show that elderberry contains anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Sambucol, an elderberry extract has been shown in studies to shorten the severity of flu symptoms. It has been used in traditional medicine for years to ease flu symptoms, colds and sinus problems. You can get it in whole natural food form, liquid or tea form. Plus, it tastes delicious! You can even harvest this berry yourself and make your own tinctures and teas to keep throughout the year. 

 
Get Your Mind Aligned

Along with these natural remedies, I would like to stress the power that these remedies have on your body when your mind and your thoughts are aligned with the healing process. The first step when going with the natural root is the belief that it WORKS! I know many people that will try a natural remedy first, but because they don’t honestly think it works, they result to over-the-counter medication. Your mind has a unique way of triggering your body to heal when you believe that both the remedy and your body have the ability to help you recover.

Try these following mantras:

• I am healthy.
• I am balanced.
• I am well.
• I let go of any unwanted viruses and infections. I have no need of them.
• I am rested and calm so I can heal.

These remedies want to work with you, so do yourself a favour and get your mind on board too, it will make the process much easier! Work with your body, not against it

Cheers to kicking the cold!

Stephanie xo