The viruses that cause cold and flu can strike anyone at any time of the year. In fact, germ and virus borne illnesses are more severe during the warm months, because germs and viruses multiply faster in warmth. If you are the typical DIY (do-it-yourself) holistic health and living type, like me, you’ve probably used nutrients, herbs and other natural remedies to treat various illnesses over the years. This post was written for folks like us! I have included my favorite and most effective herbal combinations to help you fight off cold and flu, at any time of the year. I’ve also included an effective how-to for treating mild sinusitis. Enjoy!
DIY Cold & Flu Remedies
Herb selection, for me, depends not only on the progression and severity of symptoms but also the time of year. If the weather is hot you don’t want to use a remedy that will make you feel even hotter and if it’s cold you don’t want to feel colder. So, with that in mind, the following two recipes mobilize the body’s defenses and treat initial symptoms like runny nose and congestion, while warming you up or cooling you down.
Early Cold/Flu Symptoms in Cold Weather
Ingredients:
1 tsp Astragalus root
½ tsp Ginger root, freshly grated
½ tsp Sage leaf
½ tsp Angelica root
8 oz. Water
Directions: Heat water to a boil and add astragalus and angelica root, continue on low heat for 10 minutes, remove from heat and add sage and ginger, allowing all herbs to steep together another 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink.
Early Cold/Flu Symptoms in Hot Weather
Ingredients:
1 tsp Astragalus root
½ tsp Peppermint leaf
½ tsp Sage leaf
½ tsp Fennel seed
8 oz. Water
Directions: Heat water to a boil and add astragalus and fennel seeds, continue on low heat for 10 minutes, remove from heat and add sage and peppermint, allowing all herbs to steep together another 10-15 minutes. Strain and drink.
These decoctions can be taken 4-6 times a day. However, if neither recipe yields results within a few days you may have the flu and require something stronger.
Herbal Flu Remedy
This recipe is for full-blown influenza. The herbs in this recipe are naturally antiviral, antibacterial, expectorant, and treat many of the same symptoms as the first two recipes.
Ingredients:
1 tsp Astragalus root
½ tsp Slippery elm bark
½ tsp Oregon grape root
½ tsp Sage leaf
½ tsp Licorice root
2 cloves of Garlic, minced/chopped
10 oz. Water
Directions: Heat water to a boil and add astragalus, licorice, Oregon grape, and slippery elm, continue on low heat for 10 minutes, remove from heat and add sage. Allow all herbs to steep together another 10-15 minutes, strain, add garlic and drink.
Sinusitis
Sometimes the common cold and influenza can lead to sinusitis, so, I’ve included a recipe and directions for treating mild sinus infection and the pain that often accompanies it.
Natural Treatment for Sinus Infection
The following recipe is meant for those who are experiencing the early signs of sinusitis.
Ingredients:
6 drops Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
2 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
2 cotton swabs
Facial tissue (for after)
Directions: In a small container or the palm of a clean hand, mix the peroxide and eucalyptus, saturate one end of a swab and gently clean the nasal passage (not the nostril). This will be uncomfortable, but it should not be painful, and the nose will run a bit more than before. Use the dry end of the swab to soak up postnasal drip when you’ve finished. Using the second swab, repeat the process on the other nasal passage. Wait at least 5 minutes before blowing your nose. This should be done at least once a day for 2 days. This will successfully eliminate an early stage sinus infection in most people, but if there’s no improvement by the end of the second day, seek treatment from a health care professional.
Our article ‘Cold & Flu Remedies‘ has a list of over-the-counter preparations, both herbal and homeopathic, for those who prefer ready to use formulations. However, the article includes two herbal DIY remedies as well.
All herbal remedies come with possible side-effects, especially for those who are pregnant, breast-feeding, taking prescription medications or are prone to allergic reactions. If you are such a person, I recommend speaking with your health care provider before using any herb that you are unfamiliar with, to ensure that those herbs are safe for your use.
If your physician approves, you can safely use all of these remedies for at least one week; however, if there is no significant improvement in your symptoms, or you experience new symptoms, you should seek a conclusive diagnosis from your health care provider, as it is possible that your common cold or influenza is something else entirely.
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