Community Corner
Fight Back Cold and Flu Season with Homemade Remedies
Don't run to the pharmacy: The best cold and flu remedies can be whipped up right at home.
I'm 32 with a child of my own, but every time I get sick, I still want my mommy. There's just something about mommies that make us feel better when we're not feeling well; it's magic, the kind you can never find on the shelves at your CVS.
How do you know if it's a cold or the flu? The symptoms can be very similar, from nasal congestion and cough to exhaustion and achiness. If you're running a fever above 101 degrees, you probably have the flu. The common cold rarely presents with a fever.
You'll usually have to endure a cold for about a week, while a flu virus could hang around from a few days to a few weeks.. While you're in the throes of your particular bug, give some of these homemade remedies a try. (This advice is not intended to replace a consultation with your physician. If you think you're coming down with something, call your doctor first!)
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Chicken noodle soup - Homemade chicken noodle soup will cure anything that ails you. Mayo Clinic researchers found that chicken soup can have anti-inflammatory effects and temporarily speeds up decongestion, limiting the amount of time viruses are in contact with the lining in your nose. The warm liquid is also great for staving off dehydration.
Hot toddy - The traditional English cold remedy is warm and comforting, but for grown-ups only! Combine two ounces whiskey, 1/2 ounce lemon juice, one ounce simple syrup or honey and three or four ounces hot water or tea. Garnish with lemon peel or lemon wedge studded with whole cloves.
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Cold remedy with a twist - This tangy and spicy brew can help clear out your sinuses, soothe your cold or flu symptoms and boost your immune system. Bring 1/4 cup water to a boil, add to 1/4 unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a mug. Add 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper and lemon juice. Before drinking, inhale deeply the steam from the mixture.
Honey and cinnamon - Mix a teaspoon of raw honey - locally produced, if you can find it - with 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, twice a day for three days. Honey and cinnamon have healing properties.
All-natural cold/flu remedy - Make fresh ginger tea with sliced ginger root boiled for 10 to 15 minutes in water. Sweeten with honey. Add some lemon juice for a bit of extra Vitamin C.
How do you treat a cold or flu? Share your tips below.
