Home Remedies for Colds and Flu

The dreaded cold and flu season. It’s that magical time of year when your nose becomes a faucet, your throat feels like you’ve swallowed a cactus, and your body aches like you’ve been hit by a truck. We’ve got some tried and true home remedies that will have you back on your feet in no time (or at least make you feel like less of a walking zombie).

Chicken Soup for the Soul (and the Sniffles)

It’s the classic cure-all for a reason, folks. Chicken soup is like a warm hug for your insides, and it’s packed with all sorts of good-for-you ingredients that will help you kick that cold to the curb.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 whole chicken (or a bunch of chicken parts if you’re not feeling ambitious)
• Some veggies (carrots, celery, onions, whatever you’ve got lying around)
• A few cloves of garlic (vampires aren’t the only thing garlic wards off)
• Some noodles (egg noodles, rice noodles, or even ramen if you’re feeling fancy)
• A dash of love (aww)

Throw it all in a pot, let it simmer for a few hours, and voila! You’ve got yourself a bowl of pure, unadulterated comfort.

The Magic of Steam

When you’re stuffed up and can’t breathe, steam is your new best friend. Not only does it help clear out your sinuses, but it also makes you feel like you’re at a fancy spa (minus the cucumber water and the judgy looks from the receptionist).

Here’s how to do it:

1. Boil a pot of water (or just turn on your shower if you’re feeling lazy).
2. Add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil (or a handful of Vicks VapoRub if you’re old-school).
3. Drape a towel over your head and lean over the pot (or just stand in the shower and let the steam do its thing).
4. Breathe deeply and pretend you’re at a tropical resort (minus the sand in your bikini bottoms).

Gargle Like You Mean It

When your throat feels like it’s been rubbed with sandpaper, it’s time to break out the big guns: salt water. No, not the kind you find in the ocean (although a beach vacation does sound nice right about now). We’re talking about the kind you mix up in your own kitchen.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• 1 cup of warm water
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• A dash of courage (gargling is no fun)

Mix it all together, take a big swig, and gargle like your life depends on it. Repeat every few hours until your throat feels less like a desert and more like a lush oasis.

Honey, I Shrunk the Cold

Honey is nature’s version of Mary Poppins: practically perfect in every way. Not only does it soothe a sore throat, but it also has antibacterial properties that can help you fight off that nasty cold.

Here are a few ways to get your honey fix:

• Mix a tablespoon of honey with a glass of warm water and a squeeze of lemon (Beyoncé isn’t the only one who wakes up flawless).
• Add a dollop of honey to your tea (plain tea is just sad water).
• Eat a spoonful of honey straight up (you’re a rebel and you do what you want).

The Power of Ginger

Ginger is like the superhero of the spice world. It’s got anti-inflammatory properties, it can help with nausea, and it even has a cool origin story (something about ancient Chinese medicine and a dragon, we think).

Here’s how to harness the power of ginger:

• Brew a cup of ginger tea (just slice up some fresh ginger and steep it in hot water for a few minutes).
• Add some ginger to your chicken soup (two superheroes are better than one).
• Chew on a piece of candied ginger (who says medicine can’t be delicious?).

The Joys of Garlic

Garlic may not be great for your breath, but it’s a godsend when you’re battling a cold. It’s got all sorts of compounds that can help boost your immune system and fight off those pesky germs.

Here’s how to get your garlic fix:

• Mince a few cloves of garlic and add them to your chicken soup (you can never have too much flavor).
• Roast a head of garlic and spread it on toast (you’re fancy like that).
• Eat a raw clove of garlic (you’re a masochist and you hate yourself).

The Wonders of Elderberry

Elderberry may sound like something out of a fairy tale, but it’s actually a powerful weapon in the fight against colds and flu. It’s packed with antioxidants and has been shown to shorten the duration of the flu.

Here’s how to get your elderberry fix:

• Take an elderberry supplement (you’re not Martha Stewart and you don’t have time to make your own syrup).
• Brew a cup of elderberry tea (you’re a hipster and you like obscure herbal remedies).
• Eat a handful of elderberries (you’re a rebel and you don’t care about the fact that raw elderberries can be toxic).

Embrace the Neti Pot

The neti pot may look like a tiny teapot for your nose, but it’s actually a powerful tool for clearing out your sinuses. It works by flushing out all the gunk that’s been accumulating in your nasal passages, leaving you feeling refreshed and able to breathe again.

Here’s how to use a neti pot:

1. Fill the pot with warm, sterile water (you don’t want to add insult to injury by giving yourself a brain-eating amoeba).
2. Add a pinch of salt (you’re not a monster and you know that plain water up your nose is just cruel).
3. Tilt your head to the side and pour the water into one nostril, letting it drain out the other (you’re a contortionist and you live for this kind of thing).
4. Repeat on the other side (you’re all about that balance).

The Benefits of Rest

When you’re sick, your body is working overtime to fight off those nasty germs. That means it needs all the rest it can get. So, don’t be a hero. Take a day (or two, or three) off work, curl up on the couch with a cozy blanket and a Netflix marathon, and let your body do its thing.

Here are a few tips for getting the most out of your rest:

• Drink plenty of fluids (you’re basically a houseplant and you need to stay hydrated).
• Take a nap (you’re not a toddler and you don’t have to fight it anymore).
• Binge-watch that show you’ve been meaning to watch (you’re sick and you deserve it).

The Importance of Hydration

When you’re sick, your body is like a sponge that’s been left out in the sun: dry, shriveled, and in desperate need of some moisture. That’s where hydration comes in. Drinking plenty of fluids helps your body flush out toxins, reduces inflammation, and keeps your mucous membranes moist (who doesn’t love a moist mucous membrane?).

Here are a few ways to stay hydrated:

• Drink water (you’re a simple creature with simple needs).
• Sip on some herbal tea (you’re sophisticated and you know the difference between chamomile and peppermint).
• Eat some soup (you’re a multitasker and you like to kill two birds with one stone).

The Placebo Effect

Sometimes, the best medicine is the one that’s all in your head. The placebo effect is a powerful thing, and if you believe that something will make you feel better, it just might.

Here are a few ways to harness the power of the placebo effect:

• Wear your lucky socks (you’re superstitious and you know they have magical healing powers).
• Take a sugar pill (you’re a rebel and you don’t need no stinkin’ real medicine).
• Repeat a positive affirmation (you’re a self-help guru and you know the power of positive thinking).

The Importance of Vitamin C

Vitamin C is like the superhero of the nutrient world. It’s got all sorts of benefits for your immune system, and it can even help shorten the duration of a cold.

Here are a few ways to get your vitamin C fix:

• Eat some citrus fruits (you’re a health nut and you know that oranges are the new black).
• Take a vitamin C supplement (you’re a busy bee and you don’t have time to eat a bushel of oranges every day).
• Drink some orange juice (you’re a kid at heart and you still think that OJ is the nectar of the gods).

The Joys of Laughter

They say that laughter is the best medicine, and they’re not wrong. Laughter has all sorts of benefits for your physical and mental health, and it can even help boost your immune system.

Here are a few ways to get your giggle on:

• Watch a funny movie or TV show (you’re a couch potato and you know that laughter is the best ab workout).
• Read a funny book (you’re a bookworm and you know that laughter is the best way to turn a page).
• Hang out with a funny friend (you’re a social butterfly and you know that laughter is contagious).

The Art of Self-Care

When you’re sick, it’s easy to forget about the importance of self-care. But taking care of yourself isn’t just about getting over your cold or flu – it’s about nurturing your body and mind so that you can feel your best all year round.

Here are a few ways to practice self-care:

• Take a bubble bath (you’re a diva and you know that you deserve to be pampered).
• Give yourself a massage (you’re a DIY queen and you know that your hands are magic).
• Meditate (you’re a zen master and you know that inner peace is the key to outer health).

The Takeaway

Getting sick is never fun, but with these tried and true home remedies, you’ll be back on your feet in no time. And if all else fails, just remember: laughter is the best medicine (and so is chicken soup, and honey, and ginger, and garlic, and elderberry, and… well, you get the point).

So, the next time you feel a cold or flu coming on, don’t panic. Just whip up a batch of chicken soup, take a steam shower, gargle with some salt water, and watch a funny movie. Before you know it, you’ll be back to your old self again – minus the sniffles and the tissues.

And if anyone gives you a hard time about taking a sick day, just tell them that you’re following doctor’s orders. Doctor Giggles, that is.