Cold and flu season seems to be a constant during the winter months. With everyone being in more close quarters it is likely that someone in your household will develop a cold and feel miserable. But, there is no need to run to the doctor at the first little sniffle with these NATURAL COLD REMEDIES TO TRY AT HOME:
Woman image via Shutterstock
KEEP HYDRATED – while eating may not be fun when you or your children are sick, but making sure you get enough fluids into your body. If your child won’t drink plain water, try making a smoothie out of your child’s favorite fruit, or using 100% fruit juice. Adults may enjoy a steaming mug of lemon tea with honey.
WARMING SOCKS – I learned about this method from my naturopathic doctor when my daughter was sick. It works best if repeated for three nights in a row and done right before bed. First, make sure the feet are warm, then put some somecotton socks under very cold tap water and wring them out well. Put the cold wet socks on and then put on a pair of thick wool socks over top.The cotton socks will be dry in the morning. (Our daughter did not like it the first time we tried it, but now she asks for her warming socks whenever she is not feeling well).
POPSICLE FOR SORE THROAT – My kids love popsicles and they are a great way to cool a sore throat. Don’t want to give your child sugar? Try an ice popsicle by freezing water on a stick. Same effect without the sugary liquid.
COOL OR WARM CLOTH – Nothing said relief to me as a kid as having my mom place a wet cloth on my forehead. I don’t think there are any great medical benefits to this, but it brought me so much comfort during those sick times.
EPSOM SALT BATH – Give those achy muscles some relief with a gentle and soothing epsom salt bath.
USE A HUMIDIFIER – Breathing cool air will provided added comfort and relief from nasal and chest congestion. Try the Vicks SweetDreams Cool Mist Humidifier which allows you to use Vicks Scent Pads for long-lasting and soothing menthol vapors. Perfect for children as it projects images of 3 different dream inspired themes – sea, safari and starry night.
REST – I know this one seems a little redundant, but sleep really is the best medicine. Getting plenty of rest helps the body get the rest it needs. If you can’t sleep at least try to relax.
SALINE DROPS – Saline nose drops are a great way to loosen up mucus and soothe dry noses. Saline drops are very gentle and can be used on young children easily.
Of course, a good helping of homemade chicken noodle soup or bone broth will hit the spot too!
Also remember, that having a slight fever is your body’s natural way of fighting off germs and infection. While a fever can be a good thing for your body, make sure you stay on top of how high the fever is going with a good thermometer – The Braun ThermoScan5 Ear Thermometer will give you a precise reading so you can monitor the fever.
GIVEAWAY MOMENT:
1 CANADIAN Mommy Moment reader will WIN a Vicks SweetDreams Cool Mist Humidifier and Braun ThermoScan Ear Thermometer! (May not be exactly as pictured)
To enter, leave a blog post comment telling us what is your favorite home remedy for colds.
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SweetPanda says
My favourite is to take lots of liquid, lots of rest, wash hands frequently and take vitamin C
Jennifer Lo says
Honey lemon
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
Hot and cold packs (depending on whether they feel chilled or hot) and hot lemon tea, sweetened with honey which is good for a sore throat.
nicky says
hot lemon water and warm socks!
jan says
Good homemade chicken soup.
Josie says
hot water with lemon and honey and lots of rest
Tara says
My favourite home remedy is sleep!!! followed by hot honey and lemon drinks to soothe throats.
Wendy hutton says
I take vitamins C & D and that works for me when I feel a cold coming on
David Pierce says
Honey Lemon
Rosanne Robinson says
WARMING SOCKS and a HUMIDIFIER
Jennifer L. says
I love a hot epsom salt bath.
Daniela Plume says
my favourite home remedy for coughs is onion juice… onions that have been sweated with water.
aarone mawdsley says
drinks lots of tea
Josh Rankin says
A big glass of orange juice!
Melissa M says
The humidifier and Vicks on the feet.
Kathleen says
breathing in steam to clear out the nose
Trekker says
It’s not recommended for kids, but my favorite get well rememdy is a big shot of brandy.
Wendy says
Chicken soup and dry toast are my go-to’s
Linda Svarovsky says
Chicken soup
Caelin Webber says
As much sleep as possible!
Jonnie says
Hot tea and Vicks CapoRub are my favorite cold cures
andie says
I still love a big bowl of chicken rice soup.
409cope says
Chicken soup is my favorite remedy for colds.
Julie says
My homemade chicken soup is my favourite remedy!
Mary M. says
My favorite is dress comfortably and eat soup.
Cheryl says
We use Vicks vapo rub, soup and lots of liquids and rest
ivy pluchinsky says
honey and lemon is a good home redmedy
LILLIAN BROWN says
I like a nice dish of homemade chicken soup, loosens the cough and warms me up
Pam says
wearing hubby’s sweatshirt to be always makes me feel better.
Won Kim says
Get plenty of fluids.
Ms Elaine Boychuk says
I have a hot shower/soak in a steaming tub, take Vitamin C and have homemade chicken soup.
Anne Derkat says
Cold FX
Dave H says
Can’t beat chicken soup!
Judy Cowan says
I would have to go with Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup, it just always make you feel a little bit better.
Chandra O'Connor says
Homemade chicken soup
Allison Frederick says
My favorite home remedy for colds is plenty of sleep and water.
Cassie Fancy says
My daughter gets bad colds and nasal issues all the time . We have found that vicks on the bottom of her feet works wonders
LisaN says
oil of oregano
Nate says
Tea
Gillian Morgan says
A spoonful of molasses for a cough or sore throat.
Dayle B. says
Lots of liquids and sleep.
Like the tasty chicken soup idea.
have tissue and Vicks handy.
Mary Warner says
Oranges and chicken soup
Rachael Bhardwaj says
hot water with lemon and honey.
ginette4 says
Starve a cold and get plenty of sleep
Toby says
Chicken Soup is always a remedy here!
Lynda Cook says
Mine is homemade chicken soup, nothing beats drinking the hot broth, makes me feel so much better!!
Laurie B says
Lemon tea and lots of cuddles are my remedy at home.
Margaret H says
Chicken Soup Gingerale, rest
Surinder gurm says
Vicks on the soles if your feet
Robyn Bellefleur says
I use a vaporizer with vapor rub to help with coughs.
Sandra S says
Hot ginger tea with lemon and honey
Lorena says
Steam over a pot with vics or tea, using a towel to make a tent. This loosens congestion in the head.
heidi c. says
Rest, fluids, Vicks VapoRub, saline spray, chicken soup and Vitamin C are part of arsenal.
Carol Denny says
Lots of vitamin C,chicken soup and rest.
Vera K says
My favorite remedy for colds lots of liquids and rest!
Juliee Fitze says
I like to put vicks on my feet then cotton socks just before going to bed.
Holly MacRitchie says
My home remedy for colds is plenty of rest and orange juice!
Leah says
I use a humidifier with essential oils like eucalyptus and honey if coughing is really bad.
Jenny Major says
Honey lemon
Kelly D says
My favorite home remedy is drinking a little bit of apple cider vinegar.
Darlene Schuller says
Lots of Chicken Soup and Vicks on the feet bottoms
Leanne Cobbledick says
Curling up on the couch with lemon tea.
Elena says
I think the most important thing is to keep eating healthy foods, lots of fruits and veggies to get your vitamins naturally.
DebP says
I swear by hot toddies.
lisa bolduc says
cuddle up on the couche with a good movie and nice warm blankets and relax the sickness away
AD says
I have a ginger, garlic and onion infused chicken broth that will scare any cold and flu out of you! It works like a charm (and decongests beautifully).
Cathy Oppedisano says
Drinking bottled spring water that is pure and clean.
Nate Fuller says
Get as much vitamin c in fluid for as possible!
Amy C says
Homemade chicken noodle soup is a great cure for a cold.
tammy ta says
My favourite home remedy for colds is neo-citron and vicks on the chest-lots of warm blankets and fuzzy socks
Jamie hall says
Vicks on my chest and lots of fluids
wobbles13 says
drink lots of green tea with lemon and honey
Jenness M says
Sleep and quiet a lot of visits to the steam shower!
Travelbuds says
Hot baths and hot tea
Edmond says
Yay, rest with tea. . Thank you for the awesomeness, the contest, and generosity. 🙂
Debbie White Beattie says
putting VICKS under my nose and on my chest, it helps me breath every time
Justin M. says
Sleep is the best remedy
Maggie C says
Lots of sleep and shut off electronics! Before sleeping, I like to take a hot shower.
Janette says
Rest and Elderberry Syrup
leanne says
Vicks on the feet and lots of rest.
Julie-Lynne McCann says
hot lemon tea is the best
Lauralee P says
Sleep, water and tea!
Sarah says
Lots of rest, fluids, and Vitamin C.
Brenda Witherspoon-Bedard says
a cozy bed on the couch and lots of fluids
Krista M says
My favorite remedy is a homemade hot toddie. Ginger, lemon, honey, and whiskey simmered with a cinnamon stick & throw in a dash of cayenne pepper.
l p says
wash hands frequently, plenty of rest and fluids. thanks
missbobloblaw says
I love to recoup with lots of naps & homemade chicken noodle soup!
Nicole B says
Lots of rest, honey lemon tea and drink lots of liquids
Phil says
Always homemade chicken soup.
DarW says
Tea & honey.. and/or a hottie toddy helps soothes my soul when i’m sick.
Sandy Couzens says
My new favorite home remedy I discover after my last flu. I had a cough that just wouldn’t stop. I had heard that if you rub vicks vapor rub on the bottom of your feet and put on a pair of cotton socks at night it will quiet your cough. IT WORKED !! I was able to get some much needed rest. Thank you for this great giveaway and it’s been interesting seeing what others do for the flu. Stay Healthy 🙂
tammy ta says
lots of fluids and rest is best is what I always recommend for home care
Sunshine G says
I mix ginger with lemon, honey and hot water – it definitely makes a difference!
Tina L. says
honey water and lots of rest
angela m says
Lots of fluids, and homemade chicken soup
tracy k says
lots of tea and vitamin c
Florence C says
Lots of rest, fluids and chicken soup.
Ira says
It’s not exactly a remedy, but we use Oregano oil for prevention as well as to help us get out of the sickness sooner.
Ally G. says
My favorite home remedy for colds is tea with ginger and honey, and putting eucalyptus oil in a diffuser, and of course, chicken soup and lots of rest.
Shara W says
Tea with lemon and honey!
Mike Gismondi says
get lots of sleep and vitamin C
sharon boyle says
I just get a bit of extra sleep
Dianne G. says
If I get a cold I make chicken soup, drink lots of water and lemon tea, and sleep with lots of blankets on me so they make me perspire and that seems to help me get better sooner. I also take Cold FX and Vitamin C.
Janet M says
Wash hands, drink plenty of liquids.
Heather Ritz says
lots of hot tea and rest
Julie F says
Honey and lemon in hot water has always been our cold remedy!
Catherine Brown says
Drink lots of water and sleep
Jodi Mitrovic says
I’ll try anything when our home gets the cold bug and will keep some of the posted remedies in mind for next time. I too have just discovered how wonderful Vicks on the bottom of your feet is. While expecting my second little one I came down with a serious cold/flu just last week. Because I am unable to take any medication my mom mentioned the Vicks trick and I have to tell you it really is amazing! Definitely something to keep in mind for next time friends. Thank you for an incredible prize pack! Good luck all.
Carole D. says
Homemade chicken soups!
Al says
lots of rest
Luzviminda Gunter-Smith says
Hot tea and Vicks vapor rub
Wendy Jensen says
My favorite home remedy for colds is chicken soup, but souped up! Add red pepper flakes but be careful how many. Sure warms you up.
Victoria Ess says
I love and always use my neti pot!
Steven says
Honey, Ginger, and Lemon tea
Tricia Hope says
My Gramma would slather the soles of my feet in vicks.Breaks up a cold faster than anything,still,today!
andrea amy says
I don’t really have a home remedy? We use vicks on our chests and backs, I always give the kids (and myself) gingerale when we’re sick (not sure if it does anything, but my Dad gave me gingerale when I was sick so its just something I do). Orange juice, lots of rest.
Lynn says
Homemade chicken soup:)
Laurie P says
We don’t really have a “home remedy”, but we’ve always had Vicks vaporub in the house……
leana says
Loads of rest and hot water with lemon and honey!
Melanie Borhi says
Honey lemon tea from timmies or ginseng tea.
lori b says
lots and lots of rest.
Mel says
I make a great homemade chicken soup!
Sabrina Tong says
Nothing beats rest and fluids. Living in a society that’ll take anything over the counter to relieve symptoms are helping to create more super bugs.
louise says
Homemade chicken soup and the netty pot always works for me
naiddia p says
We use honey lemon water and homemade chicken soup.
Jeannie says
I like making honey, lemon, ginger tea.
Luminous Angel says
Vicks Vaporub for everything!
janine a says
my favourite remedy came from when i was pregnant and could not take any medicine for my cold, i had lemon tea with honey in it, really the only thing that helped my throat
Christine Holliday says
I like organic lemons and raw honey for this, eat the peel also for added benefits and cleansing action
Sherry K says
I like to mix honey and lemon in a small dish and take little sips. It really makes me feel better.
Andrea says
My favourite home remedy is drinking lots of Chicken broth!!
Payton Unrau says
I like using vicks and a vicks humidifier
Donnas says
Lots of rest, lots of fluid, and Vitamin C tablets. And washing my hands frequently.
sabina edwards says
hEATING pan, hot camiolle tea, rest, hot steamy bath and QUIET
Valerie Mallette says
My favorite home remedy for colds is chicken soup made with bone broth.
Cat C says
Tea with lots of honey and sleeping upright (in a recliner) so I can breathe!
LUZVIMINDA GUNTER-SMITH says
Lots of rest, sleep, food
Athena says
Hot water with honey and lemon.
tanyab79 says
Soup and a humidifier.
Kelley Moore says
lots of orange juice, rest and cold meds
Julie Bolduc says
Lots of rest and fluids
Suzi says
Loads of vitamin c and sleep!
Crystal Porter says
Home made soup, steam, liquids and rest
Tiffany Rotulo says
Sleep and lots of water.
Jennifer Ann Wilson says
My favorite home remedy for colds is chicken noodle soup!
Dale MacDonald says
I combine equal parts molasses and vinegar and warm it on the stove. Drink little sips and it soothes the throat. Keep plenty of tissues handy and rest as much as possible.
Maria says
Soup, tea and honey
Tara says
My favorite home remedy is chicken soup and vicks vapor rub. Put the rub on your feet to assist with congestion.
Barb W says
We tend to make a sauna out of the bathroom!
Linda says
I like to eat a lot of homemade chicken soup when I want to get better from a cold.
dawn walsh says
i put vick on my feet and put socks on stops me from coughing
Melinda Jana says
good old chicken soup and ginger tea
LorieB says
I use Collodial Silver in my house. As well as nasal rinses
Lisa H says
Chicken noodle soup and napping under my warm comforter in front of the tv.
Elaine G says
Hot tea with honey and lots of rest.
Kim K says
Chicken soup, lots of liquids and plenty of rest.
Rose Holloway says
Vicks and lot’s of hot honey and lemon drinks.
Jen L says
I attack tom all sides, sinus rinse, vapo rub steam, vapo rub on the feet and lots of vitamins and fluids!
Steve Bobula says
Lots of Liquids and plenty of rest in front of the TV, because it will help you fall asleep/
Sandi Tymchuk says
I like a home-made turkey soup–comforting+++.
Angela L says
Hot water with lemon and honey….or a mixture of ginger ale and lemonade…
Lori Sexton says
Chicken Noodle Soup
Kim Tanti says
My favourit remedy is hot lemon and honey and lemon drink and camphor on my chest.
Nena Sinclair says
Honey, Lemon and ginger with hot water!
Nena Sinclair says
Honey, lemon and ginger in hot water!
Alex says
Rest and lots of fluids. Soup. Lots of tea with honey and lemon. Also garlic can help
Erin W says
Hot tea with lemon and honey, and getting bundled up to get some fresh air!
Karen thaeter says
I believe in home made chicken soup and hot lemon drinks with honey for colds and flue
Casey Miller says
Salsa, lots and lots of salsa
dawn gordon says
my favorite home remedy for a cold is plenty of sleep…and orange juice
Betty S says
Favourite home remedy is honey and lemon in hot tea
Eldon says
I take vitamin c
Julia M. says
I believe in trying everything you can when you’re sick (within reason). Chicken soup!
Wanda Jean P says
My favourite home remedy is vicks on the chest and back and bottom of the feet, covering my feet with socks and sipping on a Neo Citran or Tea with lemon