Natural remedies to the common cold, allergies, and congestion

I'm all for holistic alternatives to chemicals and medicines whenever possible (and when they actually work!). For this reason, I quickly turned to natural remedies when I picked up a throat/sinus cold this week with some congestion. Growing up, I constantly got sinus infections and had allergies during every season, totaling my inability to breathe and need for antibiotics for infections to be around 3-4 times per year. Having a mild heart condition prevents me from being able to take any kind of mediated decongestant. After getting surgery for a deviated septum, infections were less frequent, but my allergies were still bad, and once moving to Florida the pollen still kills me and I still get stuffed up (but only about once or twice a year now). Because of natural remedies, I actually haven't taken antibiotics for an infection for at least 6 years, but still get them from time to time. Here are some natural alternatives to help prevent/fight infection, clear your mucus membranes, and help your immune system stay strong and fight off what's harming you.

1. AVC. Apple cider vinegar. My best friend. Most people hate it, but I've learned to love it. 1-2 tablespoons diluted in water (use a large water bottle if it's too strong in a glass of water) and just chug it down or drink throughout the day. ACV is a natural remedy for many things, but thinning mucus in your body is one thing it's great at, and whenever I'm congested in my throat, ears, nose and head, I feel the effects almost immediately.

2. Colloidal silver. This stuff can be found at natural health food stores or online, and since buying it several years ago when I wanted to ditch antibiotics and medications for good, it's really helped with immune support. I got it in a spray bottle (and have a large bottle to use if I have to fill the small bottle up). And squirt about 4 sprays down my throat in the morning if I wake up with a sore throat or feel a cold coming on, and then again at night. I do this until I feel that I'm getting better. It naturally enhances your immune system and can also help fight infection. In the past during major congestion, I've actually used the liquid like I would a saline solution and put it up my nose when I couldn't breathe at all and it also helped in thinning out the gross mucus.

3. Maca powder. I recently started enjoying maca in my smoothies and it really helps increase stamina, and greatly increases immune support as well. Naturally derived from a root, this substance is supposed to be a natural "superfood" that cures and helps with a million different things. I've really felt a difference since getting sick again that after drinking some I have the energy to go to work or even exercise without being bogged down or feeling achy from being sick. The energy high is similar to that of caffeine but lasts for a prolonged time throughout the day without making you crash.

4. Beet kvass. This stuff is a natural fermented drink that I started making myself at home after learning about it at a workshop. It naturally contains probiotics that grow from the fermentation process (which are always good when sick, especially if you are taking antibiotics.. you need something to help keep up the count of the good stuff in your system!) and was actually used by Russian soldiers during epidemics of disease in the Moscow streets because it protects against infectious diseases (more of a reason to just drink it daily!). Beet kvass is also used in Europe for cancer therapy, and helps with chronic fatigue, chemical sensitivities, allergies and digestive problems (info retrieved from Wellness Mama). For these reasons and more, drinking beet kvass regularly, and/or when sick can really help make your body fight and resist infection! Here is the Beet Kvass recipe I use at home regularly if you'd like to give it a try!

5. Homemade herbal tea. There's nothing like some herbal tea and a little honey (or if you don't use honey, you can use agave nectar, or maple syrup), but local and ethically sourced honey is wonderful and besides its amazing sweetness it can help cure a sore throat amazingly. I make my own herbal tea by throwing together some herbs from my herb garden such as peppermint (my favorite!), camomile, lemon balm, lavender, and more. You can experiment and combine different herbs for different flavors. Herbs also have medicinal properties as well an can help cure other ailments on their own. If you don't have fresh herbs available, natural tea bags or loose tea leaves work just as well. I also love using cranberry hibiscus and/or roselle which are a plants you can grow at home for a deep "red zinger" flavored tea. Passion vine is another one that grows like crazy here in Florida (and is the host plant for our state butterfly!) but it is calming, helps relieve anxiety and will make you sleep better (always a nice kind of tea when you're sick and not feeling well). I love picking fresh leaves from our yard and using them. A nice fresh cup of hot tea (of any type) always cures my throat aches and helps relieve congestion and mucus in my throat too. I've noticed peppermint seems to work the best for this! I personally cannot have caffeine which is why I recommend herbal, naturally non-caffeinated tea, but go for whatever natural tea pulls your taste buds!

6. Vitamin C. Of course.. vitamin C is a natural immune booster, so make sure to drink some orange juice regularly to help prevent yourself from getting sick. It can help keep your immune system strong to fight off illness, but doesn't always help much if you're already sick. Other great sources of vitamin C include: red peppers, kale, brussels sprouts, broccoli, strawberries, grapefruit, guava, kiwis and green peppers. In addition to vitamin C, eating ginger, and foods that contain zinc (such as mushrooms, and many seeds and nuts) can help your cold go away faster.




*Remember that these remedies can help you get better faster but are not guaranteed to work for everyone. Natural immune support supplements are great natural aids to add to your normal diet to help keep yourself healthy all the time. They may even help you get better faster when you're already sick. The first two remedies I do swear by on relieving my congestion. The best way to not only cure sickness but to prevent it to begin with, is to incorporate more plant based and whole foods into your regular diet, to decrease your stress levels, drink plenty of water and exercise regularly.