10 Cold and Flu Home Remedies

Turmeric

Posted by Tina (Houston, Usa) on 11/13/2011
★★★★★

On the first sign of a cold and sore throat, I had 1 heaped teaspoon organic turmeric powder, mixed in 1/2 cup whole milk heated to a boil (apparently fat from milk is needed in properly digesting the turmeric), a bit of freshly ground pepper, and 1 teaspoon agave or any sweetener.

I had this concoction in between meals. I did this 3 times on the first day, and twice the next 2 days, and did not suffer from what would have been a full blown cold/cough and congestion. Incredible. Please try it!

The turmeric in my case made me slightly constipated, so I took some extra magnesium before bed those days.

Turmeric

Posted by Katta (Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh) on 10/24/2011
★★★★★

It is a remedy used by village folk from several centuries. All kinds of common cold and flu get relieved remarkably with 5G of turmeric powder in hot milk. The turmeric powder must be swallowed, and no residue left behind. Some people also add about 1G of pepper.

Onion

Posted by Donna (Janesville Wi 53546) on 10/02/2016

Onion is such a simple cure, but people don't like the smell...Well boo hoo, you must not be very sick then!

Garlic, Lime, Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Jose (Leander, Tx, Usa) on 05/05/2011
★★★★★

I usually eat a clove of garlic and drink a glass of water with a splash of Apple Cider Vinegar everynight so I can sleep better and wake up the next morning feeling refreshed. I usually never get sick becuase I beleive the garlic and Apple Cider Vinegar help my body fight off viruses and bacteria. But last winter I got extrememly ill since it was my first winter working in snow. My co worker told me that when he went to Brazil they would cut a whole lime into fourths and boil it for 15mins. He said they would drink it to help get rid of what it is making them sick. I told him about my garlic and Apple Cider Vinegar he laughed because in Brazil they eat garlic so mosquitos and bugs will not bite them.

So I tried boiling some limes but I boiled them with 4cloves of garlic minced. Once I got the drink cool enough I poured it all into a cup and put a splash of acv. I sipped it and it was a horrible taste but I knew I had to get better so I finished it. To my surprise I could feel it work, 15minutes into it I was coughing out some really ugly stuff and I could just feel my system sweating out everything. Try this garlic lime Apple Cider Vinegar trick if you are feeling really sick it worked for me.

Hydrogen Peroxide in Humidifier

Posted by Lucia (Moscow, Russia) on 03/03/2011
★★★★★

I have just started this and it makes a difference.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Craig (Felton, CA) on 12/18/2008
★★★★★

I have been using oil of oregano for almost a year, after a suggestion by a naturopath. It seems to work to ward off the many tingles in the throat. I would suggest however, that anyone who is thinking of trying this for the 1st time start with one drop in a half glass of water. The aroma is so strong that most people I give the remedy to are turned off by the very pungent odor. I am able to take it without water but do not suggest it. 3 to four drops in a couple ounces of warm water is very tolerable after a few times of the lighter dose. I have acid reflux and taking the remedy too often definately brings it on, so I do it once in the morning and another time at night. Hope this helps.

Dr. Parson's Tonic

Posted by Rena (Mineral Bluff, Georgia) on 03/04/2009
★★★★★

My family and I have been taking this remedy for years, works great. Too bad it didn't help with my sinus infection, but it will keep colds and flu away, Peace, Rena.

Wake Up the Dead Juice

Posted by Ray (New York City) on 03/31/2008
★★★★★

Wake up the dead juice: When I was younger I used to get a lot of fatigue, loss of appetite, and body aches as a result from a cold. It would be those types of colds that just basically gave you those symptoms. It would have none or very little fever, coughs, stuffiness and sneezing. So I used to say to myself i would go to school if I had the energy. That's when I started drinking "Wake Up the Dead" juice.

There are a few ways to make this. You can either boil some water and add sliced onions to it. Or boil water and add chopped garlic to it. I usually mix both onion and garlic to the hot water. I leave the chunks inside. You can remove them if you wish. Drink that water as hot as you can take it. Another way people do it is by mixing about 2 cups of cold water and 1 chopped onion and/or some garlic chunks all in a blender. They can either drink it hot or cold. But drinking it hot is better. It is extremely important that you drink this as soon as you get up on an empty stomach. One cup is fine and 2 is better. The more onions and garlic you put in it the better it is. It tastes very disgusting but it will give you one hell of a boost. It will last anywhere from 3 to 6 hours. Then you have to drink it again. You should only drink it twice a day.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Simone (Florida) on 01/19/2016

I think everyone who has had a problem with dizzy is because they didn't lay down when they did this. The inner ear helps your balance, thats why you feel dizzy.

Zinc

Posted by Marie (Vancouver, BC, Canada) on 01/30/2008
★★★★★

I have used zinc lozenges (the type you find in the vitamin section, not the type that looks like a candy) and it cured it about 100% of the times. It nips it in the bud. Whenever I feel that "sore throat" feeling coming on or if I wake up with an already sore throat I suck on one immediately and repeat it as often as the feeling comes back. The key is to abstain from eating/drinking for 40-60 mins after you sucked it. Many people whom I've given it to, came back and asked what this miracle cure was. If I think I have a flu or cold coming, I do the same thing with the same miracle effect. I carry a few tablets with me on a permanent basis. I also would drink zinc tablets in the morning and before bed if I suspect a bug is getting at me to help my immune system. I have used up to 6 tablets over a 24 hour period once, but normally don't need more than 2 - 3 tablets.

Tabasco Sauce

Posted by Alyssa (Cranston, Rhode Island) on 01/01/2008
★★★★★

I've been sick for about three days. I try to avoid medications and doctors visits because I don't really have the money to spare, and I'm not a fan of over the counter medicines like DayQuil (nature never intended anything to be that orange!) Today is my last day of vacation before I have to return to school, sad story, I know. And my boyfriend is home from college so I want to see him, only natural. But the last thing I want to do is get him sick, or feel crappy while I'm with him. I usually just wait out a sickness, let my body fight it off. I don't have time to waste in bed any more though. So I came to Earth Clinic and read about the Cayenne Pepper but I don't have any of that. Then I read about TABASCO! Funny thing was while I was sifting through the medicine cabinet I looked at the bottle and though "I bet that would clear my sinuses" but I didn't want to irritate my throat. So I mixed it with hot water, lemon juice, and honey. It's sweet with a nice spicey kick I love it and in five minutes I can breath out of one side of my nose and my throat doesn't hurt anymore! I really hope that this helps long term as well but if you need instant relief, try this!

Fire Cider

Posted by Selah (Winamac, Indiana) on 12/22/2007
★★★★★

I recently found this and am trying it and I love it! I plan to start a second batch soon because the first batch will be gone very quickly! It's called Fire Cider. It is effective, easy to make and tasty, though not for the weak of heart. Make a batch before the cold season starts.

1 Quart AC vinegar
1/4 cup grated fresh horseradish
1 onion, chopped
1 head garlic, peeled & chopped
2 tablespoons powdered turmeric
cayenne pepper
1 cup honey, to taste

1. In a glass or stainless steel sauce pan heat vinegar on the stove to where it is warm, but not boiling.
2. Fill a clean glass jar with horseradish, onion, garlic, turmeric, and a pinch or two of Cayenne pepper.
3. Pour in the warmed vinegar and cap with an acid-proof lid.
4. Store in a warm place 3 to 4 weeks; shaking a few times a week.
5. Strain mixture and add enough honey to suit your taste.
6. Rebottle fire cider and refrigerate.
7. At the first sign of a cold take 1 to 2 tablespoons every 2 to 3 hours until your symptoms subside.

I use a mason jar and put wax paper on top before putting the lid on.

Msg (!)

Posted by Roman (Chicago, IL) on 12/12/2007
★★★★★

This is under the cold remedies cure catgory. Anytime I feel the slightest hint of a cold coming-on, I eat something that has MSG. flavored potato chips,and drink a glass of red wine,or a glass of orange juice. Monosodium-glutamate is also found in canned soup,not all of them use it,you need to read the label. This sounds funny-but it really works. When there was a rash of cold and flu outbreak at my workplace, I made this suggestion, but no-one took me seriously. But I never got sick.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Kari (Phoenix, Az) on 08/30/2009

Actually, organisms do enter through the ear canal, but also through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Any orifice in the body is capable of transmission. That's why it is best not to touch anything on your face without first washing your hands.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Michael (Seattle, Washington) on 03/07/2007
★★★★★

I've found 3 percent hydrogen peroxide surprisingly effective in "curing" a cold or flu. I fill an eyedropper with it, like down on my side, and pour it into my ears, one at a time. When I have an infection it will bubble or tickle. (Sometimes it tickles intensely... the first time I used it, I couldn't believe how much it tickled!) I leave it in for five minutes, then drain it out. I've been surprised at how effective it is in speeding my recovery, or even nipping a cold or flu bug in the bud. Oddly, putting it in my ears also helps to clear my sinuses. I also use it as a gargle when I have a cough.

Oregano

Posted by Ahmad (Calgary, canada) on 03/07/2007
★★★★★

I would like to enlighten you with one of my ancient arabic cures for the common cold and a congestion in the chest in nasals. Oregano is the cure. You take water and boil it then you add some organic oregano to the boiling water and inhale the steam for as long as it stings and then you drink the water with honey. I give it my double money back guarantee (as long as the oregano is a natural strong scented one and not commercially produced).

Gargling With H2O2

Posted by Uvaid (Fort Myers, Florida, Usa) on 09/20/2012

Your body produces hydrogen peroxide naturally through a process called photo-oxidation. Photo-oxidation occurs when the melanin in your skin is exposed to sunlight. This process is your body's first line of defense against disease all over your body including you ear, nose, and throat. There is a direct correlation between available sunlight hours and the occurrence of colds, flu, and ear infections. During the summer months your body produces enough hydrogen peroxide to keep you free of disease but during the winter months the process of photo-oxidation diminshes. In addition, a study under the direction of Dr. Cindy Dunn has found a significant reduction in bacterial colonies on human skin including the ears and nose after exposed to 365nm light.

Supplements, ACV, Vitamin C

Posted by Glenda (Coos, Bay, OR) on 11/27/2006
★★★★★

but why aren't more clinical studies being done in the USA? ..... it boils down to one thing: MONEY

If we all used all natural remedies and never had to go to the doctor, well....their probably wouldn't be any. So in my opinion, they don't want us to know about all of the natural remedies. Plus most of them tell you you're nuts for even trying them. I had one once about 3 years ago tell me to quit taking all the supplements I was taking that I didn't need them. Well, I beg to differ. They made me feel better and if I quit taking them I started feeling horrible again. So I kept right on taking them. I take supplements, Apple Cider Vinegar in herbal tea with honey, ginger and lemon and I feel pretty good. Haven't been sick in a long time. If I even have an inkling of a cold coming on I take [a commercial vitamin C supplement]. I swear by it! I read the instructions wrong though and took two tablets each time instead of one, I think that helped knock it out even faster.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Cass (Dover, DE) on 11/09/2006
★★★★★

A nurse friend told me this cure 3 or 4 years ago. I use it to fight off colds and sore throats. Your ears, nose and throat are connected- I believe it's through the eustation tube. I keep 3% peroxide in a bottle with an eye dropper so that I can do this myself. Lie on your side. Have a washcloth handy for any mop ups you may need and for when you empty your ear. Fill eye dropper with peroxide. Put in your ear. Lie on your side for 15-20 minutes. Do deep breathing as long as possible so that the affects of the peroxide also reach your nose and throat. When the 15-20 minutes are up place the wash cloth over your ear and turn to the other side. Repeat in 2nd ear. I have found this remedy to be very helpful. It is helpful to me when doing this to use a timer because I either get lost in the book I'm reading or fall asleep.

Vitamin C

Posted by Kate (Vancouver) on 01/28/2006
★★★★★

Ester-C brand vitamin C taken 3x daily for 3 months and then once daily for the rest of the year builds up your immune system so that colds are less frequent and less in duration. Gel capsule form absorbs the fastest into the bloodstream.

Vitamin C

Posted by Kathryn (Glasgow) on 11/28/2005
★★★★★

I think the best way to cure a cold or the flu is plenty of bed rest and loads of fluids (Preferably no water otherwise you will be up and down to the toilet all the time and you won't get that all important bed rest!) Loads of Vitamin C (Pure Orange juice) is the best way to cure it!