Healthy Families: How To Treat a Cold Naturally

The bugs finally took us down this week with high fevers, runny noses and coughs. We did the best we could in keeping our family healthy but short of wrapping everyone is a bubble, once one person has it, it’s hard to keep it from spreading. Here’s my list of go-to’s during cold & flu season. Most of them are a combination of natural remedies for cold and flu and products that can help. I’m currently learning more about herbs and essential oils that can help as I continue on my wellness journey, so I’m in no way an expert but I have included what has worked for us so far.

Aleva Naturals Breathe Easy Chest Rub

If you are searching for a petroleum free chest rub to help little ones with that cold & cough at night time, this is the stuff. It works wonderfully with a light herbal scent. It’s not greasy, and can be used on babies from 3 months old. When my kids have a cold, I massage it into their chest, back, the soles of their feet. When I am finished I gently wipe a tiny bit (whatever is left on my hands) under their nose.

 

Aleva Naturals Bamboo Breathe Easy Wipes

These have become a definite go-to item in my diaper bag! I have been using them throughout this cold especially with Miss P. It has helped to keep her nose clear, as well as not becoming irritated. The container is easy to carry, it fit in my pocket too. The smell of them is a little different. My only complaint is with her tiny nose, I wish they were smaller, but I found I could use one more than once. 

 

Suro Elderberry Syrup

Yes, I do use this product in prevention mode & back-to-healthy mode! In Back-To-Healthy mode, you take the recommended dosage straight up. The elderberry extract, Sambucol, could shorten the duration of flu by about 3 days. Well worth taking.

When trying that part out with Mr J, he announced to me “yucky”. Fermented elderberry does have a strong taste, so I understood. The next time around, I put in the equal amount with grape juice to sweeten the deal. That seemed to work for him, and he would drink it again. As for myself, I simply used a shotglass and down the hatch it went.

Essential Oils

I admit, I was pretty leery about essential oils until recently. Since they are natural, I wanted to give them a fair shake. After a really positive incident with a bad migraine that usually would knock me out for 24 hours that I recovered from in 2 hours, I was a believer.

I have been using the Everything Essential Oils database (based on doTERRA oils) for my information. I have written up a family cheat sheet for myself that I have in our first aid kit for easy reference.

Here’s what’s worked:

Fever: warm 1 drop of peppermint oil in parent’s hand until just evaporating, add 1 drop of coconut oil (or other carrier oil) & apply to oil to forehead, back of neck & bottoms of feet. 
Cough/Congestion: put 10-20 drops of Eucalyptus (or Breathe blend) into water tank of humidifier, fill with water & run in child’s room overnight.

Fresh Cold-Pressed Orange Juice

Vitamin C can be useful in fighting off the cold symptoms once they appear. We press whole oranges (after peeling) through our juicer for a fresh juice and drink it each morning when we have a cold. Once we get sick of orange, we switch to apple. No juicer? Pick up an organic orange to eat.

Ginger, Honey, Lemon Tea

This one works wonders on a sore throat – especially if you have that post nasal drip. Cut & peel & dice a 1cm ginger root into a mug. Slice & deseed a lemon. Add boiling hot water and as much as honey as you want. Let steep for 5 minutes before drinking. 

Drink Up & Rest

Guzzle up that H20, spend a little time couch surfing and let your body do what it does best – heal. Support it the best you can by eating healthy foods (no dairy and cut back the sugar). 

What are your go-to’s when a cold strikes?

Important Notes: I am not a doctor, nor do I claim to be a doctor. I cannot treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any illness. If you have concerns about any illness, talk to your doctor. Do you own research on natural remedies to ensure that you think they are safe. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a qualified specialist before taking any herb or supplement.