When you are sick with a cold or the flu, you don't need to head to your pharmacy to get something to treat your ailments. In fact, you might not even need to leave your house at all. All you have to do is take a few short steps to your kitchen and take advantage of your arsenal of easily accessible natural remedies that can help combat everyday illnesses.
There are a number of kitchen remedies you can use to fight off common ailments. However, to maximize the effectiveness of these remedies, it is best to try them one at a time for each illness and not all at once. Once you've experimented with them all, stick to the one that you find works best for you.
Flu infections
Elderberry syrup. Boost your immunity with some elderberries. You can make a soothing tea by adding elderberry syrup or extract to hot water. Its antiviral properties make it useful for treating influenza and reducing its symptoms. It might even help shorten the duration of your flu infection by as much as three days. (Related: Natural flu remedies and preventatives you need to know.)
Raw honey. Honey has antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties that allow it to start treating an illness before you even know what the source of your ailment is. It can also help to prevent the onset of the flu and other diseases. As soon as you feel the first signs of the flu, take a teaspoon of honey three times a day with some powdered cinnamon. You can also add some to an herbal tea to help soothe sore throats and suppress coughs.
Tea. Even without honey, tea is the perfect beverage for treating the flu. Green tea is loaded with immunity-boosting antioxidants, while mint tea contains menthol that gives a cooling sensation when ingested. It can also help to reduce congestion. You can also reduce irritation by drinking any type of tea that contains herbs such as licorice and slippery elm.
Colds
Echinacea. You can take echinacea in the form of tea, drops, or pills to shorten the duration of cold symptoms. It is most effective when taken within the first day or two of your cold.
Pelargonium. This plant is commonly used as a natural remedy for coughs and colds. It can also help to reduce the duration and severity of colds.
Digestive issues
Black tea. If you are suffering from diarrhea, drink black tea. It is rich in tannins, which can help treat diarrhea. Be sure not to add any milk to your tea until you're feeling better as it may inhibit the effectiveness of the tea.
Olives. Olives also contain tannins. They might help to treat diarrhea, but they can also be used to help mitigate feelings of motion sickness or nausea.
Beets. If you have constipation, on the other hand, you can try eating some freshly steamed beets. After steaming them, don't drain out the water as you might still find a use for this. Instead of letting it go to waste, you can drink the water to help you absorb essential vitamins. These vitamins can aid in eliminating waste from your body instead.
Ginger. Ginger root has anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate upset stomach, nausea, motion sickness, and morning sickness. Make your own ginger tea by adding a few slices of raw ginger to boiling water. You can also take it in the form of candied ginger.
Probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria that can be beneficial for your digestive system. Take fermented foods rich in probiotics to help relieve diarrhea. Some examples of these fermented foods include yogurt, miso paste, kombucha, kimchi, and raw sauerkraut.
Skin irritation
Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat bacterial and fungal infections.
Calendula. Calendula can be used to help soothe skin irritations, such as eczema.
If you want to learn more about natural cures and remedies you can find in your kitchen, you can read more articles by going to NaturalCures.news.