Natural Remedies for Colds & Flu (To Help Recover Faster)

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Natural remedies to help you recover from illness faster
Wellness Mama » Blog » Natural Remedies » Natural Remedies for Colds & Flu (To Help Recover Faster)

When the flu bites, when the cold stings … these are a few of my least favorite things! (And I bet I’m not alone!)

Fortunately, it is possible to protect against some cases of illness with natural remedies that boost the body’s amazing natural immune system. Even once an illness has struck, there are things a mom (or dad) can do to get the family back on track. Herbal and natural remedies may not be a cure-all, but they can help shorten the duration and get you feeling better faster.

I posted before about what I keep in my medicine cabinet (and in my purse when traveling), and 5 easiest an most commonly used natural remedies, but since we are once again in the height of flu season, I thought more information could be helpful.

Natural Ways to Protect Against Cold and Flu

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure … you’ve heard it a million times, but how does it practically relate to illness prevention? In short, giving the body what it needs and keeping a constant supply of nutrients will help ensure that the body can resist any pathogen it encounters.

Changes to lifestyle will go a long way toward preventing illness, as you support the body to function optimally.

There are four areas so foundational to our immune systems that no natural remedy can replace them. They are, in no particular order:

  1. Prioritizing a nutrient-dense diet – Avoiding refined grains, sugars, and other highly starchy foods ensures that the body is functioning at peak immunity should it encounter a virus or bacteria.
  2. Optimizing vitamin D levels –  Studies show that optimizing vitamin D goes a long way to preventing and shortening the duration of illness. Since this is a fat soluble vitamin, it is important to test levels and work with a qualified practitioner to supplement if they are low.
  3. Getting enough sleep – Getting enough sleep is also crucial to preventing illness, and even a couple nights of interrupted or not enough sleep can leave the body worn down and unable to resist illness.
  4. Regular movement – Consistent exercise has also been shown to reduce the number of times a person gets ill per year and the duration. I like to do this simple kettlebell routine at home.

Granted, these are things to do consistently when you are well (no exercising when the flu comes on!). Of course, we can do these and still potentially get sick — although it certainly won’t happen as often — so don’t worry, there are natural ways to heal faster!

What to Do When Illness Strikes: Natural Remedies for Cold, Flu, & Fever

Once you or your child has contracted an illness, there are a lot of natural options that can shorten the duration of the illness and lessen the symptoms, as some of the most readily prescribed options can have serious side effects. I’ve included my whole bag of tricks below, so pick and choose what works for you.

25 Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu

MOM TIP: I recommend keeping many of these remedies in a basket or box where they are easy to find and printing out a list of how each one can be used. This way, if you happen to be the one who gets sick, someone else can help get them for you too!

Essential Home Remedies (You Already Have)

  1. Garlic – This health-boosting powerhouse is naturally antibiotic, anti-fungal, and antibacterial, garlic can tackle almost any illness. Read more about its benefits here. For the most potent effect, I finely mince 1-2 cloves of garlic and float in a small glass of water. Drink quickly — if you are sick enough, you won’t even notice the taste. NOTE: Pregnant women should not take more than 1 clove of garlic medicinally per day, and children often resist this remedy. In addition, garlic can thin the blood and slow blood clotting, so anyone on blood thinning medications (anticoagulants) should review with their physician.
  2. Hydrogen peroxide – At the first sign of sinus infection or ear infection, I put a dropper full of diluted 3% hydrogen peroxide into each ear.
  3. Hot liquids – This one is pretty instinctive, but we load up on hot herbal teas and hot lemon water at first sign of illness. The heat helps boost immune system and a variety of herbs can help with infection. Lemon is also a great natural source of vitamin C.
  4. Cinnamon – Good for more than just stabilizing blood sugar, cinnamon is an effective antiviral and antibiotic. Read about why it works and how to use it here. When sick, mix 1 tablespoon with 1 teaspoon of honey and stir to make a spicy and very effective tea that helps relieve cough and congestion and lower fever.
  5. Face steam – In a pinch, make this herbal steam treatment with kitchen herbs. Boil 1-2 cups of water in a large pot. Remove from heat, add 2 teaspoons each of thyme, some rosemary, and oregano. Cover for 5 minutes with a lid, and then remove lid and put face directly over pot with towel covering your head to hold in the heat. Breathe in the steam as long as you can (aim for 15 minutes). This will help loosen congestion and kill viruses and bacteria in the lungs, bronchials, or sinuses. Alternately, you can use 1/2 cup vinegar in the steam. It won’t smell great, but it will help fight the illness.
  6. Remove white foods – At the first sign of illness, completely remove all white foods from the diet. This includes grains, sugars, milk, cheese, dairy, sweeteners, soda, etc. These foods suppress immune function and slow the body’s healing ability. When you are ill, you don’t actually need to eat a lot of food, as the body needs to focus more on healing than digestion. Eat homemade chicken soup (or keep a quality store-bought broth on hand for a shortcut version) and drink hot liquids to keep strength up.
  7. Hydrate and rest – If the body is running a fever (which means it is fighting the illness) the best support you can give is to stay well hydrated on water and herbal teas and to rest enough. The body needs several extra hours of rest a day when ill, and often several extra glasses of water also. If you are running a fever, it is easier to get dehydrated, so drink enough water!

Homemade Herbal Remedies to Help Cold and Flu

You may not have these around the house (at least not yet!) but they are great additions to a natural “medicine” cabinet. I’ve written about how herbs support the body when healing from an illness and the ones in this list are my go-to choices. I recommend buying these from a trusted source online (I’ve suggested some I use below) or growing them yourself, though you can find some of them in supplement stores.

  1. Nettle Leaf – Some natural doctors say this is the only herb needed for illness treatment. It contains large amounts of vitamins and trace minerals and helps the body stay hydrated and remove toxins. In a tea with red raspberry leaf, alfalfa, and peppermint herbals, it makes a powerful immune supporting and illness preventing remedy. Here is how to use nettle leaf for better health.
  2. Elderberry – Elderberry is well known for supporting the body, especially during flu. You can find conventionally made elderberry syrups at many stores now, or to save money, make your own. Here is the recipe.
  3. Ginger– In capsule form, ginger can greatly help with nausea and vomiting associated with the flu. It can also help with high fever and headache. Fresh ginger root can be steeped in boiling water to make a tea that is very effective against sinus symptoms and congestion. Read more about its benefits here.
  4. Yarrow – Unsurpassed for flu and fever, and great for children. If used abundantly in tea or tincture at the beginning of an illness, it will usually shorten the illness to less than 24 hours. It is especially good for fevers as it induces perspiration and is great for all childhood type illnesses. Yarrow is naturally bitter, so it is often good to include peppermint and stevia leaf when making a tea. It is great for the liver and kidneys and supports the endocrine system.
  5. Chamomile – An absolute staple, especially for kids. Chamomile calms the nerves, helps children sleep better, and reduces inflammation or fever. Soaking a chamomile tea bag in warm water and placing over an eye for 15 minutes every 2 hours will relieve pink eye in less than 24 hours. Chamomile tastes great and is easy to get kids to take. We use it in tea and tincture formula. It is also great for regulating hormones and for the skin and can be used regularly for good sleep.
  6. Peppermint – Great for all digestive disturbances and for lowering fever. It can be used as a tea or tincture or rubbed on the skin to bring a high fever down. This herb is antimicrobial and antiviral and kids usually love the taste. It can be consumed as a hot tea or cold tea during illness in any amounts. Read more about the benefits of peppermint and how to use it here.

Supplements for Cold and Flu Treatment

  1. Genexa Remedies– I always keep Genexa Cold Crush and Flu Fix on hand. These natural and safer remedies are very much kid-approved in my house and are lifesavers for small illnesses.
  2. Probiotics–  We take Probiotics regularly, but I make sure to give these at first sign of any illness, especially any digestive illness.
  3. Activated Charcoal– Another first line of defense for digestive upset and stomach bugs. I mix a small amount of coconut activated charcoal into juice or applesauce for the kids.
  4. Propolis Spray– A miracle worker for sore throat and any kind of sinus or cold symptoms. Propolis is the substance bees use to keep the hive sanitary and healthy and it helps speed recovery from almost any illness. I always use this bee propolis spray when traveling or at the first sign of illness.
  5. Vitamin D3– A hormone precursor, this vitamin is finally getting recognition as a necessary nutrient for health. Optimizing vitamin D levels can help prevent illness in the first place, and taking several thousand IUs a day while sick can help speed recovery. Blood tests can help determine any underlying deficiency. This is what I take.
  6. Vitamin C– Perhaps the best vitamin for cold and flu, vitamin C in large amounts can greatly speed recovery. We take a real food form from camu camu and acerola cherry. Read more about the benefits of vitamin C here.
  7. Zinc– Healthy levels of zinc can reduce the severity of a cold or flu virus and can help shorten the duration of illness. Here’s why and what we do to boost immunity with zinc.
  8. Colloidal Silver- Studies have shown that silver has antibacterial properties when applied externally to wounds or used as a sinus rinse. In addition, it may be effective in treatments of acute diarrhea. Because colloidal silver does have some side effects, do your research carefully before trying this remedy, especially if on medications. This the brand I use (externally or in a sinus rinse). You can read my full post on how I use colloidal silver here (as well as what I don’t use it for).
  9. Essential Oils– I use certain Plant Therapy essential oils in a diffuser or topically to help with illness, especially from their kid-safe line. I keep Calming the Child, Germ Destroyer, Immune Boom, Nighty Night, Sweet Dreams, Sniffle Stopper and Tummy all Better on hand.

Natural Antibiotics and Antivirals for Illness

There are several potent natural antibiotics that in some cases work much better than store-bought varieties, in my opinion. The following are ones I keep around at all times:

  1. Oregano and oregano oil – Oregano oil is a potent natural antibiotic and antiviral. I diffuse this as needed during illness or use a tiny amount (diluted 1 part oregano to 4 parts carrier oil) on the feet. I like this brand.
  2. Thyme and thyme oilAn herbal tea (not nice tasting) made from thyme is very effective against cold and flu. Thyme oil rubbed on the skin will help the body fight infection. NOTE: Pregnant women and small children should not use thyme.

Other Effective Natural Remedies

  1. Coconut oil – Coconut oil is high in lauric acid and is thought to dissolve the  lipid coating around some viruses and make them more susceptible to attack by the immune system. If sick, aim for 5-6 tablespoons per day in food or melted and stirred into hot tea. Coconut oil has many other health benefits as well and is known to boost the immune system. This is my go-to brand.
  2. Onions and garlic on the feet at night – For extreme cases of illness, I slice onion and garlic and place all over  the bottom of the infected person’s foot (rub olive oil on the foot first). I then wrap the foot in saran wrap and place a sock on overnight. Onions and garlic have been shown to pull toxins and help the body heal. Some natural practitioners even claim that having cut onions around will absorb toxins and keep others in the family from getting sick, though I have not tried this.
  3. Apple cider vinegar gargle and drink – Yes, it tastes awful, but if you are sick enough, you won’t taste it anyway. Drink a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (the raw unfiltered kind) in water (gargle first) at the first sign of illness and repeat hourly until symptoms disappear. This alkalizes the body and helps kill viruses and bacteria.

A Natural Remedy Reference

There are a lot of options in natural illness treatment, so what do you actually do when illness hits? This is my reference sheet that I keep taped to the inside of my cabinet for reference whenever anyone in the family starts to show signs of illness. (It’s very useful for when Dr. Mom is down and out for the count too!)

Make Your Own Natural Fever, Cold, and Cough Medicine (for Kids Too!)

If I only have time to do one thing, it’s give this homemade herbal tincture. Even if I get sick myself, I can crawl the cabinet and pull this out for immune support at the ready.

It is simple to make but it does need to steep for at least 2 weeks (up to 2 months), so don’t wait! I have even found it to work better than Tylenol or cough syrups. (Bonus: It is healthier too!)

NOTE: Use for everyone in the family over the age of 2.

Herbal Tincture Ingredients

Herbal Tincture Instructions

  1. Put all herbs in 1 quart mason glass jar.
  2. Pour 80-100 proof vodka over herbs, filling jar.
  3. Let steep at least two weeks, but preferably 2 months, shaking daily.
  4. Store in cool, dark place.
  5. After 2 weeks to 2 months, strain liquid through cheesecloth and store in glass dropper bottles for easy use. Store in a cool, dark place and it will last indefinitely.
  6. Use 8-10 drops for kids over age 2 whenever ill.

Disclaimer: As always, I am not a doctor, nor do I claim to be one. I cannot treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any illness. If you have concerns about any sickness, talk to your family physician. Do your own research on natural remedies to ensure that you think they are safe. I earn a small commission through the links above that helps me keep the site going (and it does not increase the cost for you). If you do not wish to use my affiliate link, go to the site directly. If you are pregnant or nursing, consult a qualified specialist before taking any herb or supplement.

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Michelle Sands, ND. She is double board certified in Integrative Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine and is also a Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and competitive endurance athlete. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

What natural remedies do you use to help beat the flu or other illness? Share below!

Beat illness faster with these tips and natural remedies including herbs, supplements and nutrition for avoiding and recovering from illness.
Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

197 responses to “Natural Remedies for Colds & Flu (To Help Recover Faster)”

  1. Angela Marie Avatar
    Angela Marie

    I have just ordered the herbs I will need to make this tincture. What symptoms cause you to reach for the tincture and How often do you give children a dose? My son is 3. What about a dose for an adult? Thanks!

  2. Jaclyn Beito Avatar
    Jaclyn Beito

    I have a question about the cinnamon honey mixture. Last night I tried putting 1 Tbsp of Cinnamon with 1 tsp Honey in a mug of hot water and it seemed like way too much cinnamon. I was unable to finish the drink. Today I’m trying the Cinnamon in a cup of applesauce, hoping it would mix better. It tastes a bit better, but it still seems like too much cinnamon. Now, I have really cheap cinnamon, which might be influencing it, but is the ratio listed correct? Should I just look for some higher quality cinnamon? Thank you.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      It could be the cinnamon, but if you need to reduce it to get it down, you can definitely do that.

    2. Dani Spicer Avatar
      Dani Spicer

      Ceylon cinnamon is the best (pure form), and Raw honey. Made a mixture of this for my husband who was developing a cold. Placed 1 cup of water in a mug in the microwave for 1 1/2 minutes….then stirred in the tbsp of cinnamon and the tsp of honey. Had to stir from time to time as he drank it since the cinnamon didn’t seem to really dissolve. I guess you’d say drink it more quickly, like a toddy, than you would sip as a tea. Point is to get it all down so it can do it’s work.

  3. Tracy Berns Avatar
    Tracy Berns

    Thank you Katie. This article is very specific and helpful! I’ve been trying to decide what tincture to make first with my growing collection of herbs over the past few months, and this just decided it for me! ‘Tis the season…I plan to bottle it up and send some to my daughter in Kentucky for my grandchildren. You’re the best, thanks again!

  4. Jennifer Avatar

    THANK YOU SO MUCH! So many good recommendations here! We try to fight illness naturally, and I feel more confident having these remedies to refer to.

  5. Andrea Meyer Avatar
    Andrea Meyer

    Thanks so much for compiling this info all together, especially for adding the specific things you do and in order. I very much appreciate this!

  6. Rachel Amanda Avatar
    Rachel Amanda

    What a great resource. I’ll be referring to this all winter long! I also like to keep garlic oil or mullein oil on hand for putting in ears when illness is developing too.

  7. Allison Barnes Avatar
    Allison Barnes

    What about breast milk? I am still BF my 1 year old so when my 4 YO gets sick, i always bump her a glaas a day. It’s a white food…but I’m assuming it still can only help correct? When my 4 YO asks for the breast milk I automatically know she isn’t feeling well:)

    1. Cynthia M Avatar

      Breast milk is loaded full of great stuff, including a ton of antibodies from you. And it’s all natural! 😉
      Seriously, I don’t think it counts in the “avoid white foods” category. Both of my kids’ pediatricians told me to switch them back to only breast milk for at least a day whenever they got sick in the first couple years – it helps them get better much more quickly.

      1. Wellness Mama Avatar
        Wellness Mama

        Definitely agree… breast milk is a category of its own and is great for sick babies!

  8. Sam Avatar

    How much Chlorofresh would you recommend for a 2 year old? My bottle says for children 12 and over. Also, what is your treatment recommendation for the stomach virus for a 2 year old?

  9. Leah Frakes Avatar
    Leah Frakes

    We chop a clove of garlic, put it in a spoon and pour enough honey over the top to cover it then gulp it down. Its how I get my 3 years old to take it and it works! Healed me of the beginnings of a breast infection too!

  10. Heather Avatar

    I have a 6 year old that has had occasional adenoid issues and one case of tonsillitis. The pediatrician thinks he needs to see ENT again and possibly remove his tonsils…I am not down with that. I am really trying to give him things to prevent another illness. Been dong vit c and recently 5ml elderberry syrup. Do you have any other suggestions to prevent a tonsillitis?
    Thank you
    Heather

    1. Lindsey Avatar

      Probiotics that target ENT health are great. Do research to make sure they are the real deal. The best are in Italy but the US has one comparable. In youth that had strep, it healed over 80% and stopped reoccurance.
      Streptococcus sinusitis

      1. Joan Edelmann Avatar
        Joan Edelmann

        Would you share the brand name of the Italian and Us brand you say in comparable in probiotics. I have searched tried and feel like what I bought was the best but I never feel comfortable that I don’t know where the ingredients are sourced. Maybe we are not allowed to mention brand on this blog so how about website or something to point the way. thanks,Joan

    2. Jamie Avatar

      To prevent tonsillitis and any illness throat related, we use an old home remedy regularly practiced by my 73 father in law from Italy.
      I have 10 children and using this remedy we’ve never had even a sore throat for more than a day.
      Recipe:
      Fill 1/2-2/3 full a tea/coffee cup with boiled water
      Let it cool slightly(to temp of regular hot beverage coffee/tea etc)
      Once hot enough to consume, stir in 2-3 heaping tbsp of salt (we use sea salt or Himalayan)
      Add 1/8-1/4 cup of white vinegar
      And add the juice from at least one preferably two lemons
      Have them gargle the entire cup until it’s gone.
      I teach my kids young how to gargle and it has worked every single time for 16 years- all symptoms disappear the very same day usually within a couple hours. Regularly done it will help purge the tonsils of toxins and help them detoxify themselves and stay healthy. Good luck.

      1. Sheryl Henrickson Avatar
        Sheryl Henrickson

        Hey Jamie. I am on my tail end of the flu and have so much phlegm and a Major runny nose. I just did this and holy moley! So much gunk came out with every spit! And I can finally breath out of my nose! Thank you! Do you do this typically once? Or do you notice some of your kids need to do it more than once a day?

  11. Sam Avatar

    What would be your go to for an almost 2 year old that woke up with a runny nose and sneezing?  Probably a cold/mild infection (no green yet) I am assuming.  Want to catch and stop it before he gets really sick.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      No white foods (sugar, flower, even fruit), lots of fluid, vitamin C and fermented cod liver oil if you have it.

      1. Sam Avatar

        Also, are all the herbs (used as a tea or tincture) you listed okay for that age (almost 2)?  

        1. Sam Avatar

          Sorry, one more question.  What would you suggest for nasal congestion/runny nose?  It is getting snottier as the day goes on and getting less clear.  We have been through the ringer with him the last 4 months – mono, double ear infection, gingivitis, tonsilitis, strep, and hand foot mouth disease that I am honestly terrified of him being sick again.  We have almost completely changed our diet because of it – only a little dairy.  Want to try and keep him from any more antibiotics.  Thanks for all your help.

    2. Radeyah Muhammad Avatar
      Radeyah Muhammad

      Not feeding grains, fruits, etc cuts out a lot of breakfast food options. What would you recommend as a good breakfast food in that case? Also do you avoid fruits that are good for colds like pineapples, oranges, etc?

  12. Helen Avatar

    thyme essential oil in the vaporizer tray will help loosen congestion

  13. Lily Avatar

    Thanks for all the great info!  I want to make the tincture you suggested which calls for 2/3 cup chamomile, yarrow, peppermint, and catnip each.  Mountain Rose herbs sells the aforementioned products by ounces.  I’m not sure what 4 ounces (the smallest amount you can buy) of a dried herb (flower equates to.  What is the minimum I need to buy?  Is 4 ounces enough?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      Four ounces is plenty. They vary a little bit, but that should be plenty of each to make the tincture.

      1. Katie Avatar

        I want to make this tincture, too. But when researching yarrow, it says it needs to be taken hot for to reap the benefits for fighting infection. So is a tincture with yarrow pointless?

  14. Michelle Avatar
    Michelle

    Can you tell me if any of these remedies should NOT be used while breastfeeding? 

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      I avoid essential oils for the most part while breastfeeding, but the vitamin C, vitamin D, elderberry, and others should be fine.

      1. grace hedaya Avatar
        grace hedaya

        thank you!!

        my 8 month old baby is coming down with a cold, i want to try to catch it before it gets worse, i know somethings shouldnt be taken while pregnant and nursing, but what about for babies?

        1. Sabrina Avatar

          With babies that young, you need to call a paediatrician! Babies can’t use honey! It is important to keep them hydrated (very slowly, 1 tsp water/tea every 5 minutes), Babies Tylenol to lower the fever…and most often they need antibiotics.

          1. Gina Avatar

            That is NOT true at all. Most infant colds do NOT need antibiotics! Antibiotics do not cure a cold or the flu.. Antibiotics kill bacteria not viruses. Of which cold and flu are both a virus.
            People taking antibiotics for any little sniffle or cough is one of the reasons we have mutated bacterias like MRSA !

  15. Marie Skrobola Avatar
    Marie Skrobola

    Any recommendations on preventing / treating stomach viruses?

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar
      Wellness Mama

      What we do is get a lot of probiotics from kefir/kombucha/fermented
      foods, optimize vitamin D, eat a lot of healthy fats and veggies and
      take vitamin C. If a stomach bug hits, I just give big doses of
      probiotics every few hours until symptoms go away. Apple cider
      vinegar also works well, but the kids aren’t so big on taking it…

      1. Dawn Avatar

        I’ve just stared reading your website and I love it.  Im really trying to get healthier.  How do you make kombucha?  The ones that I have read says to use sugar and from what I’ve read on your website…No Sugar.  And also, if you can’t get pasture fead meat can you still eat the other?  Any sugestions? Thanks

        1. Wellness Mama Avatar
          Wellness Mama

          The sugar actually ferments out and is turned into enzymes and probiotics but it is needed to ferment the tea correctly. The longer you leave it the less sugar is still in it.

          1. jessica Avatar

            When a stomach bug hits my kids, I chop some garlic (i give them a minced clove on a spoon and they swallow it with a cup of water) this usually makes them throw up within 5 min, but then NO more throwing up! ( in severe cases I might need to do another bout of garlic, within the hour) but this is our 99.9 % works pretty much everytime!

      2. Amanda Avatar

        Vitamin c had no proven efficacy in bidding immune system or fighting cold and flu. Basically taking large amounts simply puts you at risk for dehydration and you are counteracting drinking increased fluids.

        1. Jo Avatar

          WHAAAATTTT~~~ Please do not say such comments without educating yourself.

          Vitamin C is effective!! We no longer have the gene to make our own ascorbic acid in the liver. All mammals with the exception of humans, the fruit bat and guinea pigs can make their own vitamin c in their liver daily and when faced with illness or stress it can go up 100 folds (increase astronomically).

          Dr Suzanne Humpries EDUCATE~ take the time to read beyond the naysayers!
          Linus Pauling
          Andrew Saul
          Dr Thomas Levy
          Steve Hickey
          Vitamin c foundation
          + more

      3. Rachel Avatar

        When you say eliminate dairy and white food….wouldn’t that include kefir? Here in the comments you recommend kefir. Should kefir be drank during an illness or not?

    2. Trish Avatar

      You can sip water that has activated charcoal in it. NOT the kind you cook on a grill with. You can get it in powder or pill form. The charcoal will absorb the toxins. Also great to gargle with for sore throats. I have even used it to brush my teeth!

    3. Victoria Avatar
      Victoria

      I used for treating stomach flu
      (and it worked!):

      – licorice extract alcohol free
      – probiotic Culterelle
      – turmeric and ginger, you can make tea from them.
      – goldenseal or Oregon grape root
      – elderberry syrup

      Stay healthy!

  16. Mina Avatar

    Thanks for all your suggestions. I started coming down with a cold Thursday night and tried a couple of your suggestions and I am feeling better. Not eating as much has helped too. I love your website! You are one of my heroes – I wish I had known even some of the information on your website 10 years ago. Thank you for your passion and your willingness to share what you know with others. You have been a huge blessing to me!

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