With the COVID-19 pandemic, it almost seems as though cold and flu season never really ended. Supporting our immune system has become more important than ever, with a constant reminder for us to prioritize our health year-round. Now that the true cold and flu season is upon us, we expect to see more friends and family members coming down with a bug. To combat any sicknesses, and help our bodies to recover faster, we’re sharing our go-to home remedies. What’s your trick for fighting illness?
Tea with honey. Warm liquids are known for soothing a sore throat and many teas contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory ingredients which may help pain and swelling. The addition of honey provides a natural antibacterial and sore throat soothing agent. A few of our favorite teas to consume when feeling sick are slippery elm, licorice root, and chamomile.
Hot Toddy. By now you know we are huge fans of the plant-based powerhouse ginger root, and we have our own recipe of a cold & flu remedy with it as our hero ingredient. A tasty and comforting drink, hot toddies have been used for years to relieve symptoms such as body aches, sneezing, runny nose, congestion, sore throat, watery eyes and more. The key to a great hot toddy is playing around with the amount of lemon juice and honey until you’ve achieved the right flavor for your taste buds. Give our hot toddy recipe go:
Ingredients
- 2 oz. of Ginger juice
- ½- 1 Lemon (Juiced)
- ½- 1 to 1 Tablespoon of Honey (to taste)
- 1 pinch of Cayenne (optional for any extra kick)
- 12-16 oz. water
Soups. Studies show that warm soup can help clear nasal passageways and reduce inflammation, ultimately helping you to fight off a cold or sickness. For some of our favorite immune-boosting soup recipes, check out this blog post.
Gargle saltwater. A long-time utilized home remedy, gargling salt water is shown to help alleviate pain and inflammation of a sore throat. In addition, it can help prevent and relieve oral bacteria and viral infections. To try it yourself, mix about ¼ to ½ a teaspoon of salt to every 8 oz of warm water and gargle it in the back of your throat for as long as you can handle. Any type of salt works, but finer iodized salt will dissolve quicker making it easier to gargle.
Warm baths. Fevers are our body's way of fighting off viruses, so taking a warm bath will help increase your body temperature and mimic a slight fever to help boost your immune system. Detox baths of all kinds have been used to treat a multitude of symptoms. Epsom salt baths help to reduce muscle aches and pains, and increase relaxation. Baths filled with a few tablespoons of ground ginger can promote sweating, which may help the body to naturally rid itself of toxins in addition to relieving muscle aches and pains. Sea salt and eucalyptus may ease congestion and reduce inflammation and muscle aches. A detox bath may not cure your symptoms, but it might offer a soothing and calming experience for when you’re feeling under the weather.
Steam inhalation. A widely used home remedy for soothing and opening nasal passages, steam inhalation may help to relieve cold symptoms or symptoms of sinus infections. The process involves inhaling water vapor, and the moist, warm air loosens the mucus in the nasal passages, throat, and lungs. Although steam inhalation won’t cure an infection, it may help you feel better as your body works to fight it off. Please note: we suggest doing this in the shower for the safest option when it comes to steam inhalation.
Neti Pot. There’s nothing worse than bad nasal congestion and sinus problems, an ailment that many of us experience this time of year. The Neti Pot is designed to rinse debris or mucus from the nasal cavity, helping to alleviate symptoms of allergies, sinus issues or the common cold. It is important to read the instructions and always use distilled water and the recommended pure salt solution (never tap water) in your Neti Pot. To use the Neti Pot container, tilt your head sideways over the sink and insert the spout of the neti pot in the upper nostril. While you breathe through your mouth, slowly pour a saltwater solution into your upper nostril, allowing the liquid to drain through the lower nostril. Then repeat on the other side. Real Talk: this feels WEIRD at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s no big deal. You can purchase a Neti Pot at most pharmacies, health food stores and online.
Take your shots. Last but not least, we are obviously huge proponents of proactively taking your daily probiotic juice shot to maintain health, and yes, they also come in handy if you’re sick. Our co-founder Rita has been known to take 3-5 Immunity ginger shots a day when she’s sick, which is rarely. All of our probiotic shots offer both immune and digestive support, helping your body to stay healthy. Each is packed with 1 billion CFUs of probiotics paired with functional ingredients, a shot a day can help to keep the doctor away. To find a store with SGSY probiotic shots near you, visit our store finder here.
So Good So You and its blog materials are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. All material on The So Good So You blog is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs.