Stop Buying Cold Medicine: 7 Natural Remedies for a Cold and Flu

There is nothing worse than waking up with that heavy, scratchy feeling in your throat and knowing a nasty seasonal bug has finally caught up with you. When you feel those first shivers, please don't run straight to the drugstore to buy those expensive, chemical-filled syrups, honey. Instead, take a look inside your kitchen cupboards because the most powerful **natural remedies for a cold and flu** are already waiting for you right at home. I have been using these simple, time-tested recipes for over fifty years, and they have never let me or my grandbabies down.

Back in my day, we didn't have a pharmacy on every corner. We relied on the earth, our pantries, and a whole lot of love to get us through the chilly winter months. Today, I am going to share my favorite tried-and-true secrets to help you bounce back faster, soothe your cough, and clear your sinuses without spending a single penny on store-bought medicine.

Your Grandma's Cold-Busting Pantry Checklist

Before we dive into the recipes, let's make sure you have the basics on hand. Keep these items in your pantry all winter long, and you will always be ready to fight off whatever bug comes your way.

Ingredient	Why Grandma Loves It	How It Helps You
Raw Honey	Nature's liquid gold	Coats the throat and stops coughs
Fresh Ginger	Spicy and warming	Reduces inflammation and eases chills
Fresh Garlic	The ultimate kitchen medicine	Packed with natural antiviral properties
Lemons	Bright and sour	Delivers a fast dose of Vitamin C
Apple Cider Vinegar	Tart and powerful	Thins out stubborn mucus

Now that your cupboard is stocked, let's get you feeling better, sweetheart. Here are my favorite seven home remedies to knock out a cold or flu.

1. The Golden Ginger, Lemon, and Honey Elixir

If you only try one remedy from this list, make it this one. It is the ultimate comforting mug of goodness. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory that warms you from the inside out, while lemon cuts through phlegm and honey coats your raw, irritated throat.

To make it, slice up about an inch of fresh ginger root (no need to peel it, just give it a good scrub!) and simmer it in two cups of water for about ten minutes. Strain the spicy water into your favorite mug, squeeze in the juice of half a fresh lemon, and stir in a generous tablespoon of raw honey. Drink this as hot as you can stand it. Science even agrees with this old trick; you can read more about it on this Healthline guide on warm drinks for cold relief.

2. The Mighty Garlic and Honey "Flu Shot"

Now, this one is for the brave souls, but oh my goodness, it works like absolute magic. Garlic contains a wonderful compound called allicin, which fights off viruses and bacteria. The trick is that you must crush the garlic to activate this compound.

Take one fresh clove of garlic and crush it finely with the flat side of your knife. Let it sit on your cutting board for about ten minutes—this is a crucial step to let the healing compounds develop! Mix the crushed garlic with a spoonful of raw honey to help the medicine go down, and swallow it. Do this once in the morning and once before bed. It might leave you with a bit of garlic breath, but it will knock that cold right out of your system.

3. Grandma’s Real-Deal Chicken Bone Broth

There is a reason why mothers and grandmothers have been making chicken soup for centuries when someone gets sick. But I am not talking about that salty, watery stuff from a can, dear. Real, homemade bone broth is full of gelatin, amino acids, and minerals that soothe your gut and boost your immune system.

Whenever you roast a chicken, save the bones in your freezer. When you feel a cold coming on, throw those bones into a pot with water, an onion, a couple of carrots, some celery, and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Simmer it low and slow for at least twelve hours. Sip on this warm, nutrient-dense broth throughout the day. If you want to keep your family healthy all winter long, you can find more tips on natural remedies for a cold and flu on my blog archive.

4. The Sore Throat Vinegar Gargle

If your throat feels like you've been swallowing sandpaper, stop reaching for those numbing lozenges. They only mask the pain for a few minutes. Instead, we want to create an environment in your throat where germs simply cannot survive.

Mix one tablespoon of raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar and half a teaspoon of salt into a glass of warm water. Stir it well until the salt dissolves. Gargle this mixture at the back of your throat for thirty seconds, then spit it out. Do not swallow it! Repeat this every two hours, and you will be amazed at how quickly that painful swelling goes away.

5. The Eucalyptus Steam Tent

When your head feels heavy and your nose is completely stuffed up, a steam tent is your absolute best friend. It helps open up your nasal passages and thin out the mucus blocking your sinuses.

Boil a pot of water and carefully pour it into a large glass bowl. Add three to five drops of pure eucalyptus essential oil to the water. Lean your face over the bowl, throw a large bath towel over your head to trap the steam, and close your eyes. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale through your mouth for ten minutes. Keep a box of tissues close by, because your nose will start running immediately—and that is exactly what we want!

6. The Old-Fashioned Mustard Foot Bath

This is a very old trick that my own grandmother taught me, and many people have forgotten about it. When you have congestion in your chest and head, a warm mustard foot bath draws the blood flow down to your feet, which relieves the pressure up top and eases your aches.

Fill a basin or a clean bucket with comfortably hot water. Add one tablespoon of dry mustard powder and a handful of Epsom salts. Stir it with your foot until it dissolves, then sit back and soak your feet for twenty minutes. Keep a warm blanket over your lap. Once you are done, dry your feet thoroughly, put on a pair of thick wool socks, and crawl straight into bed.

7. Warm Thyme Tea for Tight Chest Coughs

Thyme is not just a tasty herb for your Sunday roast; it is also a fantastic natural expectorant. It helps relax the muscles of your trachea and bronchi, which opens up your airways and helps you clear out stubborn mucus.

Put two teaspoons of fresh thyme (or one teaspoon of dried thyme) into a mug and cover it with boiling water. Let it steep for ten minutes with a small plate over the top of the mug to keep the healing steam from escaping. Strain out the herbs, stir in a little honey, and sip slowly. Be sure to bookmark this page and check out more tips on natural remedies for a cold and flu whenever the seasons start to change.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do these natural remedies work?

If you catch the cold early—right when you get that first tickle in your throat—these remedies can often stop it in its tracks within twenty-four hours. If the bug has already taken hold, these tips will help shorten the duration of your illness and make your symptoms much milder.

Can I give these remedies to my children?

Most of these remedies are wonderful for children, but please remember one golden rule: never give honey to a baby under one year of age. For older kiddos, the warm ginger tea, chicken broth, and steam tents are perfectly safe and very comforting.

Is fresh ginger really better than ground ginger from the spice jar?

Yes, sweetheart, fresh is always best when you are sick. Fresh ginger contains active gingerol, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ground ginger is fine for baking cookies, but for healing, stick to the fresh root from the produce section.

Should I feed a fever or starve a fever?

Listen to your body! If you have a fever and feel hungry, eat light, nourishing meals like chicken soup or dry toast. If you have no appetite, do not force yourself to eat. The most important thing is to stay hydrated, so keep sipping on water, herbal teas, and warm broths.