Now that we’re back on campus, it feels like everyone is sick. One minute we were celebrating the holidays with our families, and the next we’re curled up in our dorm with puffy eyes, a roll of tissue, and the sudden regret of not taking our vitamins or drinking enough water. And of course, in true college-student fashion, the first thing we do is call our parents—begging them to DoorDash medicine. But when that total jumps to $45, and they remind us the last “emergency” money was supposed to last the whole week… reality hits hard.
Once that reality sets in, we turn to our own reliable source, TikTok. This app has became our unofficial pharmacy. Before you know it, we’re ten videos deep, and the main cures on the search page are Vicks VapoRub in a hot water steam, natural cough syrups, and homemade teas that promise to “knock that cold right out.”
Here are a few of the recommended TikTok remedies to try (or skip) this cold and flu season:
1. Homemade Cough Syrup (nature’s medicine)
@just_justineyy Had used this for a sore throat: a lemon in half, salt, and drizzle honey on top, and place it in the microwave for a minute. When it’s finished, take a spoon and get all the lemon juice out, and drink the whole thing fully.
Reality: This won’t replace medicine, but the ingredients are meant to calm irritation and help you rest more easily. The people have tried it in the comments, and they have given it a thumbs up, they made it more than once and soothed their throat immediately in three days.
2. Vicks VapoRub in Hot Water Steam
@theperrydasilva Boiled a pot of water, and once it got to the boiling point, she turned the stove off. Then continue to add a tbsp of Vicks, cover your head with a towel, and hover over the steaming pot for 15 minutes.
Reality: This is an old, faithful, classic trick. It doesn’t cure everything; it helps open your sinuses and provides relief, allowing you to feel yourself breathing.
3. Homemade Tea
@mirandaalahzai Boiled water and added 3 whole lemons, 3 whole oranges, 6 mini limes, ginger root, 2 cinnamon sticks, basil leaves, and once it’s a yellowish color, it’s done. Then you strain it and pour the liquid into a cup and add honey.
Reality: Homemade Theraflu, I have tried this before, and it smells so good. Drink it until you start to feel better; this is a natural remedy for sore throats and congestion. Also, while it’s boiling, you could place a towel over your head and let the steam run through your face. This creates a warm and calming effect and gives that “wellness” moment.
These are TikTok remedies that are about comfort, not curing. The remedies help ease the symptoms, soothe your throat, clear your sinuses, or help you sleep, but they don’t attack the virus. Make yourself a warm tea, apply Vicks VapoRub on your body before a shower, or a spicy ginger shot if it makes you feel better. You will still benefit from it. Just remember to rest, hydrate, and if things get worse, go see a doctor (not Dr. Google or TikTok). Also, take your vitamins and stay out of the cold. Homecoming season may be over, but flu season is not.