Natural Ways to Fight a Cold

This post may contain affiliate links. The price you pay as a consumer does not change, but I may make a small commission based on your purchase. Thank you for supporting Fit Happy Free!

Being sick sucks.

I have been fighting off a pesky cold for a couple of days now.  It has been a while since I have been sick, my immune system is usually pretty good at warding off attacks.  But it’s the time of year where everyone in the office starts sniffling and coughing.  Something has been floating around the office and the darn thing made its way to me.

One of the things I hate most about being sick is not feeling like yourself.  I am usually a happy, positive person who tries to smile at everyone, but when I get this sick I feel lousy, tired and drained. It feels like it takes too much energy to be positive when I feel so miserable.  It makes me more antisocial.  I don’t want to be talking to you right now, I’d rather be in bed.

Luckily, after two days of suffering with this cold and using some natural remedies, my immune system has been able to fight this thing off and I’m starting to feel more like myself.  Just in time for surgery!

I don’t prefer to take medicine, if I do I will mainly stick to homeopathic medicines like Oscillococcinum and ColdCalm, I try to use natural ways to boost my immune system and shorten colds.  Here are some of the natural ways to fight a cold I use:

Stay Hydrated

You’ve heard it before–drink plenty of water to flush that cold out! But there is so much truth to it. It’s easier to get dehydrated when we are sick, but your body needs plenty of water during this time. This will help you flush out toxins and bacteria through sweat and urine, so yes, you are “flushing that cold out!” Hot liquids are beneficial as well and can help sooth sore throats and relieve nasal congestion.  I like to cozy up with some hot tea, the Traditional Medicinals Seasonal Sampler has a great variety pack of soothing teas.

Get some Rest!

Your immune system is working hard to fight off that cold, and it can make you feel exhausted. Give your body enough adequate rest so that it can work harder at fighting off infection.

Shower with Eucalyptus

Taking a hot shower with eucalyptus can help ease congestion a bit. Eucalyptus acts as a natural decongestant, and the steam will activate the essential oils in the plant and help to moisturize and open up your nasal passages. You can hang a small bunch of eucalyptus from your shower head, or you can use a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil on a washcloth and place it on the shower floor where it isn’t under the direct stream of water.

Eat Garlic

This is an old remedy, but a good one. Raw garlic is an antioxidant with antibiotic properties and aids with decongestion. Studies have shown that garlic can help to reduce severity of symptoms and shorten colds. I don’t recommend shoving a whole clove of raw garlic in your mouth and eating it, it can be a bit harsh on your mouth and stomach, but you can mince it and spread it on toast, or mix it into other foods like soup or salsa, or even add it to kefir.

Consume Probiotics

Hippocrates said “All disease begins in the gut,” and there is truth to this. Probiotics help to feed the good bacteria in our guts to help ensure the immune system functions well and reduce the risk of infection. I like to regularly make my own kombucha and kefir which are high in probiotics. You can also take a probiotic supplement.

Drink Apple Cider Vinegar

I have boasted before about the many health benefits of apple cider vinegar. It helps to detoxify our bodies, improve digestion, aid with allergies and cleanse our lymph nodes. It can also help relieve sore throats. I usually just take a shot and follow it immediately with a cup of water, but you can also mix it with water and honey, or even apple juice to make it more bearable.

Keep your Nasal Passages Clean

Cold viruses enter our bodies through our nose and mouths, so keeping our nasal passages clear and clean can help keep those viruses at bay. You can use a neti pot and make your own saline solution with 1 cup distilled water, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. Or you can use a saline spray.

Stay healthy, my friends! What are some of your favorite natural ways to fight off a cold?