Okay, what is in your seasonal cold/flu remedy tool box? My kids have already been sick 3 times and it’s barely November.

Question

Sam · Answer

The MOST local honey you can find: It really works for illness, allergies and just overall fortitude. The one I use is from 1/4 mile down the road. Magic!

Sam · Answer

Heilbron Herbs Village Tea: All of her formulations are great, but this is our fortifying-for-all Family Tea ™️ — I’ll drink it cold in the summer, and when illness season rolls around, it’s always steeping: a mainstay! Always makes me feel like I’m doing something nice for my body. My kids like it, too.

Becca Mandy · Answer

Homemade Chicken Broth: There are sooo many ways to do this where you will end up with liquid gold. Save chicken scraps and bones in the freezer, same with veggie scraps (carrots, herbs, onions, celery, etc.). Win win because you're eliminating food waste!

I have also used a full chicken (such as Alison Romans recipe, linked here) or roasted the bones beforehand.

But, when you have a full bag of scraps add to a pot, fill with water, and let simmer for several hours. Add veggies, my preference is celery, carrots, onions, parsley, and thyme. I also will add peppercorns and bay leaves. I have also seen some folks add a splash of vinegar.

Skim the top from time to time, strain and voila. Salt to your liking. Depending on the size of your pot, you can make quite a bit.

I drink cups of it and use it in all sorts of things. Soups of course, replace water with broth when making rice, pan sauces, etc.

When I have broth simmering on the stove, usually on a cozy Sunday, all is well.

Alex Heide · Answer

Wellness Formula: My coworkers put me onto this and the cast of SNL uses it and I swear it’s shorten the duration of a cold.

Dylan · Answer

Homemade Electrolyte Drink: fresh lemon juice, sea salt + raw honey into boiling water. add ice if you prefer it refreshing, but according to TCM, drinking it warm is better for your digestion! dehydration/ hangover be gone <3

EDIT: @Yuni recommended stirring in the raw honey once it’s cooled to under 35°C to preserve the raw enzymes! excellent tip :)))

Dylan · Answer

Higher Living Ginger Kick Tea: a warm, spicy, big old kick of ginger

Dylan · Answer

Ginger Juice: splash this in tea, smoothies or soups for a warming kick. a study found it can be helpful for hypothyroidism, great for digestion, nausea, plus it's anti-inflammatory & rich in antioxidants

Dylan · Answer

Sinus Drainage & Headache Relief Exercises: huge

Dylan · Answer

Saline nasal spray: There's plenty of science to support this theory which I'll let you research for yourself, but essentially, flushing the nose with saline helps to wash away any viruses, bacteria, pollen, dust, etc before they can infect + multiply :)

Dylan · Answer

Oil of Wild Oregano: gut health, immune support, respiratory relief, antiviral, antiinflammatory & antifungal.

Dylan · Answer

BioCeuticals ArmaForce Immune Support Olive Leaf : contains Andrographis, Echinacea, Olive Leaf, Vitamin C, Zinc <3

Dylan · Answer

Lemons: if i don't have lemons in my house something is wrong. i use them daily for so many different things! add to teas, zest them, juice them, boil their peels...these babies are both sour AND versatile, not unlike myself.

think you don't have the ingredients to make a meal? if you have lemons, you do! add them to pasta with a bit of butter or olive oil. pop wedges of them in the oven with your fish. use them to add flavour and depth to meals! when in doubt, add lemon!

Dylan · Answer

Betadine throat gargle: Kills a broad spectrum of nasty germs in the mouth + throat like bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.

I find this good to have in the cabinet as an occasional preventative measure (e.g. after a known exposure to someone who is sick or when travelling) but as it contains iodine, it isn't suitable for everyone.

Dylan · Answer

Wear a face mask in busy spaces: Immunocompromised people have to do this all the time but if we can even try to mask in highly populated areas like on public transport, in supermarkets, at concerts, etc it can make a huge difference!

Heather Brown · Answer

Quince Everyday Electrolyte Drink Mix in Citrus: Affordable, effective, delicious, free shipping, what more could you ask for?

Heather Brown · Answer

Traditional Medicinals Organic Throat Coat Herbal Tea

Heather Brown · Answer

Manuka Health Lozenges Manuka Honey Lemon MGO 400+

Heather Brown · Answer

Emergen-C Super Orange Drink Mix 30ct

JaperMoon · Answer

Breathe Right Strips for a Cold: These work better for congestion than any medicine I’ve tried. Especially great for bed time but when i have a cold I’ll wear them all day.

Maryn · Answer

Rishi Tea Elderberry Healer: I can't do most teas, but I love this one! I always come back to it