We’ve all probably used a few natural cold remedies in our lives. Even if you’re not as holistic and crunchy as me or you prefer to just go for the over the counter stuff, you’ve probably had some herbal tea to sooth your cough or taken some lemon and honey to help your sore throat…these simple things are natural home cold and flu remedies!

We are so used to taking these holistic things that we forget that there’s a reason why you turn to honey, lemon and herbal tea while you’re sick…because they have therapeutic components like antioxidants, antiviral properties and more!

They may not give relief as fast as over the counter drugs, but these holistic treatments will be better for you and your immune system in the long run. You see, there’s no real way to cure a cold or the flu–only ways to shorten it’s duration, strengthen the immune system or relieve symptoms. They are viruses that you just have to let run their course.

Over the counter drugs can actually make you worse!

All the medicine that you get for colds and flu are not to cure it, they just help temporarily mask the symptoms so you can be more comfortable. However, oftentimes the ingredients in these over-the-counter drugs can be harmful to your immune system and gut flora, and research shows that they can actually make you worse.

The best way to avoid sickness in the first place is not with any drug, home remedy, tea or tincture…it’s simply to be proactive in living a lifestyle that supports a healthy immune system in the long term.

Living a healthy lifestyle and eating a healthy diet is hands down the best insurance against getting sick. In fact, after I really started eating a clean diet and focusing on quality ingredients I noticed that I hardly ever got sick anymore. I used to get several really bad colds each year, but I’ve gone the past 3 or 4 years with only a few mild colds.

However, when you come in contact with a sick person or think you’re catching something, there are lots of things you can do with natural remedies to help.

How do you support your immune system to prevent illness in the long-term?

Living a healthy lifestyle that supports a healthy immune system is the best way to protect yourself from catching colds and flu and even more serious long-term illnesses. For a more in depth guide for eating a real food diet and living a healthy lifestyle click here. For now, check out the tips below for living a lifestyle that supports a healthy immune system….

• Have a good sleep routine. Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night
• Move your body and do some time of exercise 5 times a week (this doesn’t have to be strenuous, it can be as simple as walking, stretching, yoga or swimming)
• Lower stress as much as you can. Take time for yourself for relaxation. Stress is one of the worst things for your overall health.
• Support your gut with probiotics and fermented foods. (Recent research has proven time and again the vital link between gut health and immune health)
• Eat a good diet
  • Cook your own meals as much as possible.
  • Avoid industrial seed oils. Only use healthy oils.
  • Choose organic foods. 
  • Avoid processed foods and choose whole foods.
  • Choose pasture raised and grass fed meats and avoid factory farmed meat. (Use this free guide to help you pick the right stuff!)
  • Avoid sugar as much as possible.

How do you boost your immune system in the short-term to prevent catching a cold?

Ok, say you saw a friend who is getting a cold and you know that you are susceptible to catching it from them. Or maybe your spouse is sick and you’re worried you’ll get sick too from being around them. Well, there are several things I like to take that really attack sickness and boost my immune system in the short term if I’ve been exposed to sick people.

I know these things make a difference because before I started this healthy lifestyle I used to get sick EVERY SINGLE TIME my husband got sick without fail…I thought there was no hope! However, since I started eating better and learning more about holistic treatments, my husband has gotten colds and I’ve slept in the same bed as him and STILL not caught his cold with the help of these tips. Check out some of my favorite ways to avoid getting sick below…

• Colloidal silver
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Essential Oils
• Elderberry Syrup (Buy it or See how to make your own below)
• Garlic (Eat it in food, swallow small cloves coated in olive oil or take capsules)
• Turmeric (Tea or Capsules)

Those are a few of my favorites, but that’s not all there is!

There are so many great home recipes, tips and tricks to naturally suppress a cough, soothe a sore throat or help a fever.

So without further ado, below are all the holistic tips, resources and natural cold remedies that you need to keep your immune system strong!

Natural Cold Remedies:

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Elderberry Recipes

How To Make Elderberry Tincture

Elderberry Syrup: A Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

The Backyard Medicine Cabinet: Elderberry

Making Elderberry Winter Tonic Syrup with Fresh Elderberries

Immune-Boosting Elderberries

Elderberry Rose Hip Syrup

Elderberry Gummies with Ginger and Turmeric

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Immune Boosting Teas & Drinks

DIY Electrolyte Drink :: Natural rehydration for colds, flu, food poisoning, & physical exertion

Fire Cider: All Natural Cold and Flu Remedy

Antioxidant Wellness Tea

Hot Garlic Ginger Lemonade

How to Make an Elderberry Elixir

Cold Bustin’ Elderberry Tea

DIY, Herbal Immune-Boosting Sore Throat Tea

Hot Toddy

Cold n’ Flu Tea Soother

Herbal Infusion for Fevers + Flu

Tummy Tamer Spritzer (vegan)

10 Ways to Use Apple Cider Vinegar

Holistic Cough Solutions

Instant Pot Cough Syrup {with fresh thyme, ginger, & lemon}

Homemade Cough Syrup Recipe – Only 1 Ingredient Required!

Stopping the Cough, Naturally {3 Homemade Cough Remedies}

Simple Medicine: Sage and Honey Cough Syrup

Challenging Mainstream Tips

Why You Shouldn’t Treat a Fever (Most of the Time)

What’s really in the flu shot + bonus flu fighting elixir recipe!!

Why You Should NEVER Use Hand Sanitizer

Supporting the Immune System

10 Best Essential Oils to Support the Immune System

Thump Your Thymus for Immune Health

14 Herbs to Boost Immunity {pssst! 8 may already be in your kitchen!}

SUPERHERO Gummies – Tart Cherry for Sleep, Elderberry Flowers and Berries for Immunity, and Gelatin for skin

Easy Crock Pot Bone Broth

Colloidal Silver: No, It Won’t Turn You Blue. Yes, It Can Prevent Illness!

10 Amazing Turmeric Recipes

Other Natural Cold Remedies

Hydrogen Peroxide + Ears = Bye to Colds. A Remedy that Works

Soothing Herbal Salt Steam for Lung and Sinus Health

How to Fight a Cold Naturally