No one wants to contract the cold or flu but unfortunately, it happens. Personally, I never take a flu shot but what I always do is keep certain ingredients on hand for homemade cold and flu remedies. I really hate taking medicine, especially since you just never know what truly goes in to those over the counter syrups and pills. So, I thought this year, I would gather a list of homemade remedies to fight all of the symptoms of the cold and flu, you know, just in case.
I found some wonderful home remedies that are so easy to make and contain ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. It’s always a good idea to try different remedies, just to see what works. You could get the ingredients for all of these 25 home remedies and not spend much, so if you wanted to try them all they’re not terribly expensive. In fact, you’ll save money over buying over the counter cough drops, decongestants and cough syrups and you’ll save yourself from having to visit the doctor. From teas to soups, you’re going to find the perfect remedy for your family and you won’t have to worry about running out to the store at midnight to stop those coughing fits.
Making your own cold and flu remedies is great. Not only do you get to ensure that your family isn’t taking in any harmful chemicals from medicines, but you save so much money, and you can avoid any ingredients that someone in your family may have intolerance to. I love a good life hack and these homemade remedies are some of the best. And if you love life hacks, too then be sure to check out these 25 restoration hacks to turn old things new again. Now, if you’ve never made your own cold and flu remedies you are really missing out. These also taste much better than those over the counter syrups and drops, so you’re much more likely to get your little ones to take them. Plus, they work wonderfully. Ward off those cold and flu germs this season with some good old fashioned homemade remedies!
1. Garlic Soup
What makes this soup such a potent cold and flu killer is the garlic…and it has 44 cloves of garlic in it. It’s not so potent that it would ward off a vampire however. It actually tastes really good and has onions, chicken broth, thyme, and a host of other things in it that will help to soothe those cold and flu symptoms…and it’s really easy to make.
Recipe: smittenkitchen
2. Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir
Apple cider vinegar is good for a number of things around the house, including helping to soothe those cold and flu symptoms. You just put apple cider vinegar in a glass and add honey and cayenne pepper. The honey and pepper are also great for helping to kill those cold germs and honey helps to soothe a sore throat.
Recipe: popsugar
3. Grandma’s Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
What could possibly make you feel better when you have a cold than a nice warm bowl of classic chicken noodle soup? I make this every year…several times actually…when we start feeling a bug coming on and it’s wonderful. With egg noodles, carrots, onions, celery and chicken broth, there just isn’t anything else in the world that will make you feel all warm and cozy like this chicken soup.
Recipe: smittenkitchen
4. Cold Busting Coconut And Orange Smoothie
Oranges are packed with vitamin C and coconut oil helps to reduce the length of the cold and flu. When you put them both together into this smoothie, you get a delicious treat that not only tastes good, but helps you to combat those germs. This also has ginger, which is a natural pain reliever and clementines that are also packed with Vitamin C.
Recipe: greenthickies
5. All Natural Cold And Flu Zapper
This all natural recipe contains turmeric, cayenne pepper, raw honey, lemon and garlic to create a remedy that will shorten the length of your cold or flu and help you to feel better at the same time. All of the ingredients have healthy properties, right down to the quarter cup of water that is included.
Recipe: lifemadefull
6. Homemade Antibacterial Blend
This homemade remedy is a copycat of Thieves essential oil blend and it’s great for helping to eliminate germs that cause the cold and flu. It’s really simple to make and you can use it in a number of ways to help fight germs this season. Clean the house with it, use it as a mouthwash or diffuse it in the air to kill those germs and get over your sickness much faster.
Recipe: wholenewmom
7. Homemade Saline Spray
Saline spray can be a life saver when it comes to stuffy noses and breathing issues that are related to colds and flu. This DIY version is so much cheaper than anything you can buy over the counter and works just as well. Plus, you probably already have everything you need to make it, so it’s much more convenient to use. You just need table salt and warm water!
Recipe: wholenewmom
8. Immune Boosting Elderberry Jam
Elderberry is great for boosting your immune system, which can help you to avoid the cold and flu all together. Or, if you have already contracted the germs, boosting your immune system can help you to fight them off and get well much more quickly. This elderberry jam is not only an immune booster, it’s also delicious and really easy to make. Make up a batch now before cold and flu season arrives so you’ll be prepared.
Recipe: wholenewmom
9. Homemade Elderberry Popsicles
If you can’t get the kids to enjoy elderberry in any other form, I can almost guarantee that they will eat these elderberry popsicles. Elderberry gives you so much immune boosting power that it’s nearly essential that you keep it on hand for cold and flu season. These easy to make elderberry popsicles will have the kids begging for their medicine – plus the cold helps to soothe your throat.
Recipe: raisinggenerationnourished
10. DIY Elderberry Syrup
Make up a batch of this elderberry syrup long before it’s time for those cold and flu germs and enjoy it with your pancakes or waffles every morning. It will help to boost your immune system and keep you from getting sick. And, if you do catch a cold, you can still enjoy your pancakes with elderberry syrup and help yourself to get well faster. Or, just take a spoonful when you feel the cold or flu coming on.
Recipe: wholenewmom
11. Homemade Flu Fighting Gummy Bears
Kids are never going to argue about taking their medicine if they’re in the shape of gummy bears, right? These flu busting gummy bears are not only tasty, but they have ingredients to help your little ones (or you) get over the flu and get on the path to feeling better quickly. They contain elderberry syrup, coconut oil and water, as well as gelatin powder to help them keep their shape.
Recipe: wellnessmama
12. Homemade Soothing Ginger Tea
Tea is always my favorite thing when I’m feeling under the weather. This ginger tea not only has that wonderful warming feeling but it has ginger, which is a natural pain remedy and boasts a number of other healthy properties. It helps with congestion and motion sickness, so it’s perfect for fighting off cold and flu symptoms. You’ll need fresh ginger for this, so hit up your local farmer’s market or natural foods store and keep some on hand for the upcoming season.
Recipe: knucklesalad
13. Homemade Vick’s Chest Rub
Vick’s was a staple in my house when I was growing up. My mom would always rub it on our chests to help fight congestion or put it in a humidifier to help clear up our noses. It’s still available over the counter, but the homemade version is always so much better, right? This homemade decongestant rub is really easy to make and contains none of those harsh chemicals that the over the counter stuff has.
Recipe: wholenewmom