As many of you know, trying to avoid colds on a college campus is impossible and no one likes being sick away from home. As hard as you try, you just always seem to be exposed to “sick” germs during the cold and flu season. But don’t despair! Theses natural cold and flu remedies will prevent sickness head-on, giving you a healthier semester that your immune system will love.
An Apple A Day…
Keeps the doctor away! This drink is seriously a miracle worker. Drinking hot apple cider vinegar will help get rid of a virus right when you feel it coming on. It really does the trick because you’ll feel almost back to new the following day. Make sure to get organic apple cider vinegar that’s unpasteurized, unfiltered, and that’s with “the Mother.” This means that the vinegar is cultured with beneficial bacteria that have health benefits. This drink is so simple to make, just combine two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with 16 ounces of hot purified water. Then add one tablespoon of organic honey and one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Mix together and bye-bye germs!
Warm Salt Water
Rinsing with salt water helps break up congestion, while removing the virus and bacteria out of your nose. A sinus rinse kit can make a world of a difference! It’s an easy to use squeeze bottle system that cleans your nasal passages. You control the pressure and the salt-solution drains from your nose.
Amp Up The Probiotics
Probiotics are living organisms- the good bacteria that can be ingested through food or supplements. Foods that are naturally rich in probiotics are yogurt, kombucha drinks, berries, bananas and whole grains. Taking a probiotic supplement twice a day (morning and night) during times of sickness may help reduce cold symptoms and maximize benefits.
Liquids
Drinking hot liquids soothes irritation and inflammation, prevents dehydration and relieves congestion. Herbal tea, especially peppermint or ginger with honey can do just the trick. They contain nutrients and properties that help ease pain while strengthen your immune system. Hot liquids can also help us feel better because they are relaxing and remind us of cozy, comforting thoughts.
Steam Inhalation
One immediate way to clear a stuffy nose is to steam it out. The wonderful thing about this remedy is that there are many forms of steaming! Some ways include breathing deeply over a hot mug of tea, taking a hot shower or putting a towel over your head and inhaling steam from a bowl of boiling water.
Remember…
- Wash your hands…a lot!
- Get a flu shot
- Keep your surroundings clean
- Go to bed early and get plenty of rest and sleep
Edited by Moriah