I inevitably get at least one bad cold a year that puts me completely out of commission for a few days. These tips and remedies help me cope and heal as quickly as possible! Taking echinacea, elderberry tincture or supplements, vitamin C, and drinking rosehip tea during cold season can all help boost your immune system and keep you from getting sick in the first place!
Please note that I am not a doctor and if you are seriously ill, if your condition worsens, you have a high fever, or experience stiffness in your neck, go see a professional!!
-Steam: good for phlegm and nasal congestion. Choose the herbs or oils that best suit your condition. Add 2 T of herb(s) of choice or 10 drops of essential oil to a bowl of hot (not boiling) water. Drape a towel over your head and the bowl, creating a tent. Keep your eyes closed and your face 12 inches from the water, and inhale the steam for 10 minutes.
Peppermint essential oil for nasal congestion
Eucalyptus essential oil for chest infections and phlegm
Basil for head colds
Chamomile for phlegm
Rosemary for phlegm
-Chest rub: good for coughs and chest infections. Combine 10 drops total of essential oils per teaspoon of carrier oil. Rub between your palms to warm the oil and massage into chest.
Eucalyptus essential oil
Peppermint essential oil
Carrier oil like jojoba, grapeseed, olive, or safflower oil
optional: myrrh essential oil for coughs and phlegm
optional: juniper berry essential oil for coughs
optional: thyme essential oil for chest infections
-Gargle: good for sore throats and infections. Add 2 tsp of herb(s) of choice/5 drops essential oil to hot water and let cool slightly. Gargle sips of the solution and spit, repeating at least 10-15 times. This should feel great on your throat!
Plantain
Rose petals
Thyme
Sage
Eucalyptus essential oil
You can also gargle with plain warm salt water. Salt is anti-bacterial and helps throat infections.
-Tea: teas can help soothe all types of symptoms. Choose the herbs that best suit your condition. Add two teaspoons of herbs to a strainer and add 8 oz boiling water. Drink 3 cups a day until feeling better. Add honey for antibacterial and healing purposes and lemon juice for vitamin C.
Lemon balm helps ward off a cold in the early stages
Rosehips for coughs
Marshmallow for coughs
Rosemary for cold and flu
Thyme for chest infections
Vervain for fever
Fresh ginger root with cinnamon for chills, phlegm, and sore throat
Licorice as an expectorant
Sage for decongesting
Eucalyptus for decongesting
-Avoid dairy when sick—it’s mucus-inducing and won’t help phlegm and post-nasal drip!
-Garlic: Garlic is antibiotic and particularly helpful for chest infections or when taken at the initial onset of symptoms. I recommend chopping it up into small pieces, then swallowing them with water like pills.
Good luck and feel better!!
La Claire de Lune 