With the reintroduction of the nasal flu vaccine (aka FluMist) in the upcoming months, it’s more important than ever to be prepared for cold and flu season. In case you didn’t know, this vaccine differs from traditional vaccines because it uses a live, though weakened, virus (four different strains of flu to be exact) that is sprayed up the nose instead of using a dead virus that is injected into the arm.
While FluMist isn’t supposed to infect you with the flu, it still happens, and since it’s technically a live virus, there’s still a chance that the flu can be passed from person to person.
I mean, just look at the side effects of this stuff:
• Runny nose
• Wheezing
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Muscle aches
• Fever
• Sore throat
• Cough
Am I crazy, or do these “side effects” look like the exact same symptoms of THE FLU (source)? HMMMM.
Just to be clear, I’m not one to jump on the bandwagon regarding whether or not you should get the flu shot or use FluMist (you do you!), but I AM someone who insists on jumping on the bandwagon when it comes to ensuring you have remedies for cold and flu season on hand.
Not only will you be protecting yourself, but also others from catching the flu this year.
Obviously, you don’t catch the flu JUST from people who have used FluMist, I’m just saying that it’s a good idea to keep your immunity strong in the upcoming months as these newer types of vaccines come out that use attenuated viruses.
They’re still alive and can still cause the flu as clearly shown in the “side effects” listed above.
So, without further ado, let’s get into the remedies!
12 Must-Have Remedies for Cold and Flu Season
I like to make remedies for various things all year round, but for cold and flu season you want to get things cracking before we get too far into Fall. As soon as Summer starts coming to a close, I’m taking note of the things I have on hand and jotting down to-do lists for the remedies I still need to make.
Thankfully, cold and flu remedies are pretty easy to throw together, so if you feel like you’re a bit behind, don’t worry!
I’ve got 12 cold and flu remedies you can pick and choose from below!
1. Cold and Flu Bath Concentrate
One of the best ways to help mitigate cold and flu symptoms is a nice hot bath, and this cold and flu bath concentrate is perfect for doing just that.
It infuses both the air and the water with lung and sinus-clearing essential oils that also soothe aches and pains and help alleviate fever and chills.
Just add 10 or more drops to running bath water, and voila! You’ve got yourself a soothing bath that helps alleviate cold and flu.
It’s one of my favorite little remedies to use and takes just less than 5 minutes to make.
Learn how to make cold and flu bath concentrate here.
2. Cold and Flu Tea
Another fantastic way to treat cold and flu is by drinking plenty of hot beverages like broth, hot lemon water, and of course, an herbal tea that helps fight symptoms of cold and flu.
This tea is made with elderberries and other herbs that help fight over 8 strains of the flu virus and are known to cut the duration of a cold or flu by half! (source)
I have drunk this tea without fail during every bout of seasonal illness I’ve had for the last several years, and you know what, it works! The herbs work together to help treat sore throat, cough, fever, chills; you name it, a big hot mug of this cold and flu tea makes a huge difference.
Learn how to make my cold and flu tea here.
3. DIY Olba’s Nasal Inhaler
Every year without fail, I catch a respiratory bug, and every year I wish I had a good nasal inhaler to help cut through the resulting mucus and clear up my sinuses. Well, this year, I won’t be without one because now I can make my own quickly and easily using essential oils and a personal nasal inhaler I picked up on Amazon.
This inhaler is a must-have during cold and flu season, and you don’t even need to be sick to use it. In fact, it’s an effective cold and flu preventative due to the therapeutic properties of the essential oils.
These oils kill off germs and viruses that may be trying to take root in your sinuses and therefore lower your chances of getting sick.
You can use the inhaler anytime you like throughout the day, especially while traveling to help keep your immune system strong. During cold and flu, use it as needed to help decrease inflammation in the sinuses while also cutting through stubborn mucus.
Learn how to make your own nasal inhaler here.
4. Elderberry Syrup
If I had to choose just one cold and flu remedy, elderberry syrup would be it. Not only is it effective, it actually tastes good! This makes it a great remedy to use for the whole family, even small children who may be finicky when it comes to taking medicine.
Elderberry is an amazing herb due to its ability to fight over 8 different strains of flu virus. It boosts immunity and actually disarms the enzymes viruses use to penetrate healthy cells. This means that actually helps PREVENT infections from spreading and why elderberry has been proven to shorten the duration of cold and flu by up to 50%! (source)
Learn how to make your own elderberry syrup here.
Don't want to make your own? You can buy my favorite elderberry syrup here.
5. Four Thieves Spray
This spray is one of my favorite things to use when anyone gets sick in my house. The essential oils are powerfully antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial which means they kill pretty much every germ they come into contact with.
This is especially helpful when you need to disinfect your home during cold and flu season. (source)
I like to use four thieves for spraying on bed sheets and linens, towels, pillows, carpets, furniture, and on frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, remote controls, the toilet, faucets, and light switches.
It’s also an amazing air purifier that can be used to spray throughout the house to help kill airborne bacteria.
Another plus? It smells like Fall!
Learn how to make this must-have four thieves spray here.
6. Fresh Ginger – Yep, That’s It!
Having some fresh ginger root on hand is super important during cold and flu season. Not only does it improve symptoms, but it can be made into so many different remedies that even if you’re not the biggest ginger fan, you can still find something that works.
Ginger is known for its ability to soothe sore throat pain, reduce inflammation, settle the stomach, soothe aches and pains, improve expectoration, clear the sinuses, warm the extremities, and even help break a fever. (source) (source)
Here are a few of my favorite ways to use ginger for cold and flu:
Natural Cold Remedies – The Healing Power of Ginger
7. Garlic Honey for Coughs
This is one of my favorite remedies to use for both wet and dry cough. The raw honey helps soothe irritation and coat and moisturize dry tissues in the throat while also killing germs and bacteria.
Raw garlic is a powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and antimicrobial that also helps thin mucus and boost immunity. (source)
Combing the two together into tasty raw garlic honey makes for an effective yet flavorful way to keep cold and flu at bay. You can even use it as a daily preventative!
Learn how to make garlic honey here.
8. Instant Fire Cider
I usually have fire cider on handmade from fresh herbs and ingredients, but when you’re in need of a remedy, and you don’t have any fire cider on hand, THIS is the remedy to make.
This instant fire cider still packs a punch when it comes to giving your body immune-boosting benefits without having to wait 6-8 weeks for traditional fire cider to macerate.
Made with herbs and spices like garlic, onion, cayenne, thyme, rosemary, and other cold and flu-fighting kitchen ingredients, this unassuming remedy can help alleviate symptoms after just one dose!
Learn how to make instant fire cider here.
Want to make tradition fire cider? Check out my recipe here.
9. Oregano Oil Roll-On
This is a wonderful remedy to use for cold and flu and is so easy to make, especially if you don’t have time to wait for fresh oregano to infuse the olive oil you’re using.
This simple roll-on uses potent oregano essential oil which is known to be highly antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial in nature. (source)
Simply apply it to the bottoms of your feet, rub them together to work it in, then throw on a nice thick pair of socks before getting in bed. Pair it with some cold and flu tea, and you’re well on your way to getting rid of a cold or flu fast.
Learn how to make my oregano roll-on here.
10. Sickroom Spray
Here’s another spray recipe I like to have on hand during the colder months of the year when it’s hard to get fresh air in the house.
I don’t know about you, but when someone is sick at home, and I’m in close proximity, all I can think about is how many germs are circulating through the air in the house.
If this is also you, then this sickroom spray is exactly what you need.
The essential oils in this spray are perfect for killing airborne bacteria and any germs or viruses on frequently used surfaces.
For example, when myself or my husband gets sick, I will use this spray to liberally mist pillows and bedding after getting up in the morning and before getting back in bed that evening. It helps keep my spouse from catching my cold since we obviously sleep in the same bed.
I also use the spray to freshen the air in the house and most especially in the room where the sick person in the family is frequenting to help keep others from getting sick.
Learn how to make my sickroom spray here.
11. Soothing Sore Throat Spray
This sore throat spray is almost too simple to be considered a recipe but dang if it isn’t the best throat spray I’ve ever used!
It uses powerful essential oils that reduce pain and inflammation, kill germs and bacteria, and help soothe scratchiness, dryness, and irritation associated with a sore throat and other oral pathogens. (source)
Learn how to make this ridiculously simple sore throat spray here.
You will NOT regret it!
12. DIY Vapor Rub
I’m so proud of this vapor rub because it is just like the original you can buy at the pharmacy but without any petroleum and other harmful ingredients.
It’s the perfect remedy to have on hand when a hacking cough keeps you up at night or if you have a boggy feeling in your lungs from too much stubborn mucus – this DIY vapor rub will help soothe spasms and encourage meaningful expectoration.
I’ve even put a swipe of it under my nose to help soothe allergies and open my sinuses when dealing with stuffiness and sinus pressure and it works so well!
Learn how to make my DIY vapor rub here.
I hope you have found a few helpful remedies from this list to use in the upcoming months.
What have been your favorite cold and flu remedies? Please share them in the comments below!
You may also enjoy reading:
The Difference Between Cold and Flu
12 Ways to Feel Better During a Cold or Flu
7 All Natural Flu Remedies for Quick Recovery
The Best Remedies You can Buy for Cold and Flu
Broad-Spectrum Essential Oil Blend for Cold and Flu
DANNY MOODLEY says
THANKS FOR YHE REMEDIES---I WILL BE TRYING THEM OUT