Tis the season for runny noses, aches, and my personal favorite, the beloved fever. It seems everywhere one goes these days someone is coughing, sneezing or whining. With no cure in sight for the cold or flu, current treatments simply attempt to bring relief from the symptoms. While there are some medications to assist with this, there are also many naturals remedies to battle the winter sniffles.

Blow, Blow, Blow!

It is critical to blow your nose regularly. Avoid sniffling and thereby retaining the mucus. Instead, hold one nostril down and blow gently to clear the other. Always wash your hands after blowing your nose.

 Get Your Rest

Resting when you feel the first aches and pains helps your body utilize your energy through the immune system rather than simply trying to get through your day-to-day demands. Your immune system is stressed. Give it some back up and curl up with your quilt.

Supplements

Many advocate supplements. While there are contrary reports on the validity of such remedies, others have proven time honored. Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Carotenes, zinc and selenium all are known to promote a healthy immune system and are sure to do a body good!

Grandma was right- Gargling does work

Gargling moistens a sore throat can bring some relief. Try a teaspoon of salt dissolved in warm water, f our times a day. If you suffer from that irritating tickle in your throat, try an astringent gargle that utilizes tannin in order to tighten the membranes. Another tried and true gargle is a viscous gargle made with honey. This one is very popular throughout folk medicine. Simply steep one tablespoon of raspberry leaves or lemon juice in two cups of hot water; mix one teaspoon of honey. Let the mixture cool to room temperature before gargling and remember children under 1 year old should not be given honey.

Drink Hot Liquids

Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, prevent dehydration and can soothe the irritated inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat. Stock up on the soups, teas and even ciders! Your body will thank you!

Hot and Steamy

Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you. If you are dizzy from the flu, consider running the shower while sit on a chair nearby and take a sponge bath. Often I will use essentail oils in a hot bath to ease the aches and pains as well as boost the immune system. Peppermint, spearmint and eucalyptus are all very effective in combating the cold while still supporting the immune system. If its more convenient bring a pot of water to boil and add the oils on the stovetop.

Herbal Support

Echinacea is a great herb to boost immune defenses. It is best taken in tincture form, however Echinacea teas and pills are also available. Another option is elderberries. There are teas, syrups, and tinctures that utilize elderberries due to their immune boosting capabilities as well as the effectiveness of fighting off respiratory and influenza viruses. My family personally uses elderberries quite often during cold and flu season with great success. Ginseng is another option for cold-suffers. Furthermore, licorice root is very valuable during cold and flu season since it is such a multi-faceted herb. This herb packs a serious punch as its an anti-inflammatory, demulcent (soothing for sore throats), antispasmodic (for tight coughs), and expectorant (to rid yourself of that nasty mucus)!

Invest in Salve

Mentholated salve really does work. It can help open up breathing passages and soothe the irritated skin at the base of the nose. Menthol, eucalyputs and camphor are all mild numbing ingredients that can help relieve the rawness as well hold natural anti-viral properties to help battle the cold.

Soothe the Sinuses

Both bold and hot packs may help with congested sinuses. You can buy reusable hot/cold packs at any drugstore nationwide, or make your own with a hot washcloth or even frozen peas.

Make use of the extra pillow

That extra pillow you never use will help with the drainage of nasal passages. If the you find the angle awkward, try placing the pillows between the mattress and box springs to allow for a more natural slope.

Stay Grounded

Flying is a stressful event anyway, however flying when your upper respiratory system is already stressed is foolish. Doing so can seriously hurt your eardrums as a result of the pressure changes. If you absolutely must fly, use a decongestant and carry a nasal spray. Swallowing frequently and chewing gum may also help with the pressure. If possible though, just stay home and get better!

With the aid of these simple, time-honored, folk remedies you can however ease much of the discomfort and shorten your battle with that pesky cold. Remember, serious conditions can impersonate the common cold and a mild infection can develop into serious conditions. If you have severe symptoms consult your practitioner.

If your house is anything like ours lately we are all fighting to keep from getting a cold or the nasty version of the flu this season. We are drinking lots of fluids, to include lots of juices rich in Vitamin C. We are trying to get plenty of sleep. We are doing the hand washing thing as well.

Another thing that is often over looked is other things we can add to our diet to boast our immune system. Garlic is one of the things that is great for us. And easy to add to our diets. Another great bonus is that Garlic is inexpensive, even the organic variety can be had pretty cheap. And it does pack a punch!

Garlic has a high sulfur content. Yes, that is what gives it that strong odor. It is also what gives it antibacterial benefits. The sulfur works with Vitamin C to kill harmful microbes. Think cold and flu. Garlic is also known for its benefits for the cardiovascular system. It is good to fight off colds and good for your heart. You get a two for one deal!

Garlic is best for you chopped and eaten raw, but most people don’t like raw garlic. Try adding to your recipes at the last possible minute to get the most benefits from it.

One way I get garlic into the food in this house, without any complaints at all is I add it to the pizza sauce and then put a small amount of chopped garlic in the toppings as well. I also learned from my mom to add a few cloves of garlic in the last minutes of cooking time to the potatoes. If you are making mashed potatoes, not even the pickiest eater will notice once they are all mashed up!

So stock up on the garlic. Actually use it. There are many great ways to add it to your diet. Natural organic garlic is inexpensive and some studies have shown that it does have a higher sulfur content. If you can’t afford it, or can’t find the organic variety, what you find in your local grocery will do. Try to use it as fresh as you can. But most of all enjoy!

Herbal teas have been used for centuries. The healing properties of the herbs used are infused into the teas.

Ginger tea is one of the herbal teas that has many benefits.

Ginger tea is made with the ginger root. You can purchase it as you do with any other tea. You can also make it yourself with fresh ginger root.

Purchase a 2 inch piece of ginger root. Peel the outer skin layer and slice into thin slices. 2 inches of ginger root should make about 4 cups of tea. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the sliced ginger root. Steep for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the tea mixture. You can add honey and lemon to taste.

Now that you have your all natural ginger tea, what is it good for?

Ginger tea has long been used to help with stomach ailments. From upset stomachs, naseau, motion sickness, and even morning sickness.

Ginger tea can also help freshen your breath. Ginger is an anti-fungal and anti-spasmodic. It can also act as a aphrodisiac. See? Ginger can help in several aspects of your life.

Ginger is an herb and an essential oil that can be helpful in your life. Try some today. Even if you don’t want to use the root to start from scratch, try the bagged or loose leaf ginger tea. While it has a strong tangy flavor many people enjoy it. You can also use honey and lemon to make it taste more to your liking. Remember to always use local honey and fresh lemon it you can.