Natural Cold Remedies

It’s that time of year again: stuffy noses, clogged ears, and coughing time.

With the change of weather, inevitably come colds. Most people, confronted with the discomfort, will run to the local pharmacy, pick up some NyQuil, chug it like a frat boy guzzling a beer, and cross their fingers hoping they’ll feel better. But that won’t help you get healthier. “I’ve never told anyone to use those since I think television does that enough for us” says Brigitte Mars, an herbalist with over 35 years experience with natural medicine and author of The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine.

While drugs minimize symptoms, she says, they have no antimicrobial properties, the agents that help kill the growth of toxins in the body. “Things like aspirin cool the body, trapping the toxins inside,” says Mars.
 

So what should you do? Try going herbal. Herbal remedies have been proven in various studies to help speed recovery of cold and flu symptoms. Unlike over-the-counter drugs, herbal remedies have antimicrobial properties. They get to the root of the problem, helping heal the body. “With herbal remedies, they’re cleansing,” says Mars, maintaining that herbs such as Echinacea and elderberry cause you to sweat or urinate more frequently, helping toxins to leave your body quicker.
 

If you’ve never tried herbal remedies before, here are some good- and proven - herbs to try out.

Cold and Flu
 

These remedies can help to shorten the length of the cold:

Echinacea- Echinacea is a plant extract that helps boost the immune system, and has even been shown to the time of colds in half. “Echinacea can work well, most people just don’t take enough of it,” says Mars. For best results, take at least once every one to two hours. Try taking a teaspoon in your tea, or buying echinacea-mixed tea.

Elderberry- Elderberry, which contains antioxidant properties, can help minimize the duration of cold and flu symptoms, which was proven in a double-blind study a few years ago. Try this recipe for elderberry syrup.

Zinc- Zinc, which helps cells grow, is an important nutrient for the immune system. Taking it in the first few days of a cold has been proven to help shorten colds. “Zinc is better when held in the mouth,” says Mars. So instead of pill capsules, try zinc lozenges.

Congestion

Congestion can be cleared up by taking the following:

Garlic- Garlic is an antiviral and bronchodilator, meaning it not only helps fight the virus, but also helps clear your nasal passages. Try a clove a day while sick.

Ginger- Ginger also acts as a bronchodilator. Try drinking lots of ginger tea throughout the day, making sure to breath in the steam, which will have double the effect.


To help get over a cold or flu, rest is a top priority. For this, Mars recommends a hot bath while sipping tea.

A good place to purchase all these herbs is Mountain Rose Herbs.