Natural Remedies for Winter Ailments: Fight the Cold and Flu Season Naturally

Natural Remedies for Winter Ailments: Fight the Cold and Flu Season Naturally

Getting through the Winter without succumbing to a cold or flu bug can seem like an unlikely scenario but you can protect yourself against nasty bugs and build up your immunity using natural remedies so that you sail through the colder seasons. Using natural remedies that put you in control of your health means that even if you do pick up a cold or flu bug, your immune system will be in better shape and you can fight it off more quickly and without complications.

Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we believe that holistic healthcare is a great option for you and your family, working with your body to build a strong, robust system that can handle a cold with ease. Read on for our top tips on thriving through the Winter and learn how to use simple home remedies to beat the cold and flu season this year. If you have traditional or natural remedies that work for your family, we’d love to hear them!

Natural Remedies to Support Immunity

Some home remedies have been around for many years and they often endure because they work! Many of these ideas are made from simple ingredients you are likely to have in your kitchen already, and they’re often very effective in preventing illnesses or helping you to heal from them. With no side effects and the likelihood of better health all year round, what have you got to lose by trying them?

Prevention is better than cure, as the old saying goes. It’s certainly true that preventing a cold or flu from taking hold in the first place will be easier than curing an illness once you are experiencing symptoms. You can avoid the worst of the winter bugs by building up your immune system and looking after your health all year round, and this starts with eating a healthy diet. We recommend a whole-food diet with plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables, and it’s a good idea to cut out processed foods and sugar wherever possible. You should also aim to exercise regularly and reduce stress in your life to give you the best possible chance of staying healthy, both physically and mentally. When you’ve mastered these basics, you will benefit from the following natural remedies:

Natural remedies we recommend:

Drink plenty. It’s a simple one to start with, but it’s the most important tip of all. Drinking plenty of fluids, especially mineral water, is the best way to keep yourself well and flush out toxins that threaten to overwhelm your system. Special teas such as lemon and ginger or chamomile can help boost your immunity and soothe your symptoms, and this is a simple habit to add to your daily life to support your well-being.

Take Vitamin C. It’s a good idea to take vitamin C on a daily basis since the body cannot store it and it is the key to a strong immune system. A liposomal Vitamin C supplement is the very best option for your body as it is the easiest for your body to absorb, and you should always look for the highest quality supplements for your budget. We also love Sona Vitamin C with Rosehips, which can help reduce tiredness and promote collagen formation in the body. When you are unwell, you can take higher doses of Vitamin C to help your body heal more quickly, and this is a good way to support your system naturally.

Rest well. Most of us lead very busy lives and do not allow ourselves to rest properly. It’s tempting to burn the candle at both ends, especially during the holiday season, but it will deplete your resources and leave you feeling exhausted and run down. You can make a big difference to your health by prioritising good quality sleep, building a relaxing daily wind-down routine and treating yourself to some early nights to make up for the seasonal parties! If you’re feeling ill, don’t be tempted to push through it, take some time out to rest and recover and you’ll be back to full health much more quickly.

Make a fire cider. Fire cider is a traditional remedy to boost immunity and scare away the winter bugs. It’s great fun to make and you can get the kids involved in the process, which may even persuade them to try it! Chop up a selection of natural antiviral ingredients such as garlic, ginger, turmeric, horseradish and chillies, and pop these into a jar with some fresh rosemary and thyme and a cinnamon stick or two. Add some black peppercorns and some slices of orange and lemon with the skin still on. Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar (look for ACV with The Mother), put the lid on and shake to combine. Pop the jar in a dark cupboard and leave it for about four weeks, and then strain it through a muslin cloth or jelly bag, squeezing out as much liquid as you can, and stir in a spoonful of honey. You can store this in the fridge or in a cool, dry place for up to six months and take one or two spoonfuls each day to benefit your health and your immune system.

Drink honey and lemon drinks. Honey and lemon in hot water is a home remedy for cold and flu that really works. Allow your water to boil and then cool slightly before pouring into your favourite mug, stirring in a teaspoonful of good quality honey and squeezing a wedge of lemon into the top. Honey has antimicrobial and antiviral properties and lemons are high in vitamin C so it’s the perfect option to soothe sore throats and clear the sinuses.

Try steaming. When you’re feeling under the weather and your sinuses are blocked, try steaming to clear your head. You can enjoy a steamy shower, by adding a drop or two of an essential oil such as eucalyptus or peppermint to the shower tray to boost the cleansing effects, or use a bowl filled with water as hot as you can tolerate, drape a towel over your head and inhale the steam. Take great care not to burn yourself, and do not use very hot water with young children around.

Eat chicken soup. Chicken soup as a curative food is a concept that has been around for many years and it works well because it’s full of healing properties that will comfort you and benefit your health. Chicken soup is best made fresh, using bone broth that contains anti-inflammatory properties, and served hot, to rehydrate the body and reduce mucus.

Bathe the toxins out. Taking a warm bath with bath salts can help to draw out toxins from your body and leave you feeling relaxed and ready for a restorative sleep. We love Westlab Sleep Epsom and Dead Sea Salts, with lavender and jasmine to promote relaxation and calm. Simply swirl into your bath water and enjoy!

Try a sinus rinse. Sinus pain can be unbearable and a sinus rinse can really help to clear the nasal passages and relieve your symptoms. Even if you’ve never used a sinus rinse before, the NeilMed Sinus Rinse Kit is easy to use, with premixed sachets and a squeeze bottle. You can also use boiled, cooled tap water or saline solution to irrigate your nasal passages using a neti pot or similar device or try a plain nasal spray that can also help to clear blockages and make breathing easier.

Cold and flu products

Sometimes you need something more to cut through illness and get you feeling better fast. We have a good range of cold and flu medications to choose from, and we can help you choose the best options for your symptoms.

Products such as Benylin Day & Night Tablets aim to reduce fever and relieve headaches aches and pains in the body, so are ideal if you are experiencing a typical flu-type illness. Ibuprofen-based products, like Advil Cold & Flu Coated Tablets, combat inflammation in the body, relieving joint pains, headaches and pain in the sinuses.

Hot drink formulations are a great way to relieve sore throats and painful sinuses, and we recommend Lemsip Max, which comes in several pleasant flavours. Each sachet contains a 1000mg dose of paracetamol to relieve pain and promote healing sleep. Remember that it’s very important to read the package insert carefully to ensure you take the correct dosage and do not take the medication more often than recommended.

Enjoy good health all year round

Following these natural health tips can give you all the benefits of a strong immune system and ensure that you feel healthy and well all year round. Looking after yourself and your family with healthy foods and alternative remedies will help to prevent cold and flu bugs and promote good healing, and our pharmacists are on hand to offer help and advice whenever you need us.

Here at Gray’s Pharmacy, we stock a wide range of multivitamins and supplements to support your health and we offer a large selection of healthcare products, as well as skincare and beauty ranges for all the family. You can discuss any health concerns you may have with our experienced professionals and explore our full range of health care and beauty products online or in-store.