Fun fact about me… whenever I travel I always get sick. I wish it weren’t the case but I’ve been like this for as long as I can remember. Doesn’t matter if I drive or fly, when I return home I usually have something. Last month I went to 30A and without fail when I returned home I had a sore throat, body aches, and head fogginess. I’m not the biggest fan of medication and try to heal mostly everything holistically. So I thought I’d share what I use to recover quickly- and share all of the tips my Instagram followers told me to try as well! Keep reading to see how to heal your cold, flu, or sore throat holistically!

This site contains affiliate links, view the disclosure for more information.

Remedies you probably have lying around your house that can help you heal your cold, flu, or sore throat holistically

When you have a cold or flu the last thing you want to do is run to the store. So trying these holistic proven remedies may help!

Honey & warm water

I buy local honey at the farmers market instead of honey from the grocery store. Local honey has more healing benefits and it contains local pollen that can help strengthen a your immune system and mitigate pollen allergies. Local honey is usually raw, not processed or pasteurized. Which could diminish its nutritional value. You’d be shocked to find that some store-bought “honey” can include added ingredients. Next time you have a sore throat, try honey in some warm water instead of cough syrup.

Honey has so many benefits:

It’s an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiviral, anti-fungal & anti-diabetic

Garlic

Garlic is a powerful antioxidant with antimicrobial, antiviral, and antibiotic properties. It has vitamin C, enzymes, and minerals. You can toss a whole clove in your mouth, or chop it up and add it to honey. Garlic causes a chemical reaction that releases allicin. Allicin is a powerful antibacterial that is only present shortly after garlic is crushed or chopped and before it is heated. I recommend eating a clove or two of garlic every 3 to 4 hours until you feel better.

Eating raw garlic is not for the faint of heart – I recommend taking a probiotic if you’re eating raw garlic since it can be hard on your stomach. You can also take a slice of the clove and suck on it for 15 minutes, letting the juices work their magic on any pain.

Gargle Warm Salt Water

Gargling salt is a proven way to help draw water out of oral tissues, while creating a salt barrier that locks out water and harmful pathogens from getting back inside. This makes salt water gargles valuable for blocking viruses and bacteria, reducing the chance of infections in the mouth and throat, and relieving inflammation in certain cases of colds, flu or sore throats, and sinus and respiratory infections.

The best way to gargle salt water

Mix about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of salt into 8 ounces of warm water. Put the liquid in your mouth and gargle the water in the back of your throat for as long as you can handle. Then, swish the water around your mouth and teeth then spit it out. Gargling salt water at least twice a day is best. However, you can safely gargle many more times than that, too. If you can’t stomach plain salt water try adding honey or lemon.

Homeopathy for Cold and Flu:

Homeopathy, it’s a medical system based on the belief that the body can cure itself. Homeopathic medicines use tiny amounts of natural substances, like plants and minerals. They believe these stimulate the healing process with the “like cures like” method. This means that something that brings on symptoms in a healthy person can, in small doses, treat an illness with similar symptoms- triggers the body’s natural defenses. For example: red onion makes your eyes water so it’s used in homeopathic remedies for allergies. Treatments for other common ailments are made from poison ivy, white arsenic, crushed whole bees, and an herb called arnica (great for bruising!).

My Top 2 homeopathics for When I’m Sick:

Cold Calm– Relieves common cold symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, and minor sore throat. I take two tablets under my tongue every 15 minutes for 1 hour whenever I feel something coming on. This helps me heal so much faster! Then I continue to take it throughout the day every few hours. It’s non-drowsy, so that makes it a nice alternative to other over-the-counter medications.

Flu Calm– I call it Flu Calm but it’s called Oscillococcinum. It has been shown in clinical studies to help reduce both the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms. It’s also non-drowsy.

There’s also a Throat Calm from the brand that makes Flu Calm and Cold Calm! I haven’t tried it yet but it sounds great. Homeopathic herbs and medicines have so many amazing uses and are great to keep around just in case.

Other great remedies to help you heal your cold, flu, or sore throat holistically

Elderberry syrup– This is a sweet syrup that I drink when I’m feeling something coming on. The berries and flowers of the elderberry plant are packed with antioxidants that may boost your immune system. They help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. It also helps prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms. You can take it daily- even when you’re not sick! Or when you are sick, I take it a few times a day. I also just enjoy it mixed into sparking water- it makes a yummy mocktail!

Throat Coat Tea– is my favorite tea for when my throat is sore. It has soothing herbs like slippery elm, marshmallow root, and licorice. Add some honey and it’s SO good.

Earthley Feel Better Fast– My sister recently told me about Earthley and gave me their products when I was suffering from morning sickness. Earthley Feel Better Fast is an herbal tincture that was created to knock out coughs, sniffles, and upset stomachs. It combines five herbs to help support the immune system and reduce inflammation. It works so well!

Epson Salt Bath– A hot bath with Epsom salts will help draw out toxins and is one of the simple cold and flu remedies you can DIY at home. Your skin is your body’s largest organ for eliminating toxins and the magnesium and sulfur added to the bathwater by Epsom salts will speed up the process. THIS one is the best! Great for sore muscles too.

Colloidal silver– Colloidal silver is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiviral which means it can help fight off common bacteria’s and viruses responsible for sinus infections, pink eye, ear infections, pneumonia, shingles, and a host of other ailments. The great thing about using colloidal silver is that it doesn’t create any resistance to bacteria’s like overuse of antibiotics can, so bacteria will always respond to this natural antibiotic. You can also use colloidal silver topically on things like skin infections and burns. I buy the spray colloidal silver and use multiple times throughout the day when I’m feeling sick. I use this one.

Propolis Throat Spray by Beekeeper’s Naturals– Bee Propolis is nature’s ultimate protector and has been used for centuries for immune support, sore throats, and combating various ailments. Propolis is great for your immune system. In general & can be taken daily.

Zinc– Some studies have found that zinc supplements may reduce the duration of cold, perhaps by a day or so, and may reduce the number of upper respiratory infections. Zinc helps fight infection and heal wounds. I take zinc supplements daily- it’s also great for acne and helps your botox last longer.

Echinacea: Echinacea is a plant that is rich in antioxidants and may help support immunity.

Hyland’s Naturals Bioplasma Cell Salts– These tablets contain 12 mineral cell salts that are vital to cellular health. They fix mineral imbalances in the body and stimulate your body’s natural healing process. They help with colds, headaches, nervous tension, and fatigue. Tablets are flavorless and dissolve immediately without water for no upset stomach.

Pickle juice for headaches- One of my followers suggested this and swears it works! I love pickles so I’ll definitely try this next time I have a headache.

Essential Oils are so Beneficial for Cold & Flu Symptoms!

These are my favorite essential oils for when I’m sick:

Eucalyptus oil– Eucalyptus oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the throat. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a diffuser or inhale the steam from boiling eucalyptus leaves.

Peppermint oil– Peppermint oil has a cooling effect that can soothe a sore throat. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to a diffuser or mix with warm water and gargle.

Tea tree oil– Tea tree oil has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the throat. Mix a few drops of tea tree oil with warm water and gargle.

Oregano essential oil– dilute 1 drop to 20 drops in a carrier oil every hour- apply to throat and take internally. Used topically, Oregano Oil can improve skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne, eczema, and fungal infections, as it eliminates yeast, bacteria, and fungi. Its anti-inflammatory properties can neutralize the pain, itchiness, and general discomforts of insect stings and bites.

Bonus Supplements… that can help you heal your cold, flu, or sore throat holistically

Vitamin D helps prevent colds, flu, and sore throats. If you aren’t taking Vitamin D daily you need to! I’ve taken Vitamin D forever to find out from my functional medicine doctor that I was still very deficient… Most women are. She told me to up my dosage and take THIS SPECIFIC kind to reap all of the benefits. I take 7 drops daily.

Wellness Formula– This is a great supplement to take to stay healthy. It contains many of the items I mentioned above (Echinacea, Propolis, Zinc, Vitamin C, Echinacea, Garlic, Zinc) and many more that will keep you healthy.

When to see a Doctor?

While I try to avoid doctors as much as possible, sometimes you need some extra support. Go to the doctor if your symptoms last longer than a week, you have a super high fever, you have difficulty breathing or swallowing, or if you are experiencing severe pain or swelling in the throat.

I hope this post on how to heal your cold, flu, or sore throat holistically helps you! Check out my post about the Best 5 Clean Dental Products I use for more holistic products!

xx,

Lauren