Last month I was able to get rid of my cold partially with the help of some miracle remedies (as I now and forever will refer to them).

Even with this year’s strain of cold and flu (which is running rampant and overstaying its welcome around the country), it’s possible to shorten the duration and get yourself feeling better with remedies that won’t tax your already weakened body.

Even if you do have to succumb to over-the-counter medicine and/or antibiotics, these supplements + tools will help ease symptoms and help you heal faster.

Here are 5 of my go-to remedies to soothe a winter cold:

• Oil of Oregano
  Oregano isn’t just the spice you sprinkle on a fresh homemade pizza. Surprisingly it has numerous health benefits, the biggest being that it’s a super-antioxidant for the immune system. It is particularly useful for upper respiratory infections because of its potent anti-viral activity in the body. The herb helps your body get rid of unwanted phlegm in your lungs (score!) and is even anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Hello, wonder herb!

  One thing to look for when buying oil of oregano (liquid or pills) is a brand with a high carvacrol concentration (of 50% or more). It’s also good to buy from a brand that uses organic, hand-picked, steam distilled oregano leaves.

  For liquid I like Joy of the Mountains liquid. And for pills, Oreganol is a favorite (and available at Whole Foods).

  *Please note that oil of oregano is not recommended if you are pregnant or nursing.

• Neti Pot (nasal irrigation)
  If there’s one thing that gets me through cold season it’s my neti pot. You’ve likely heard of or seen neti pots before. They’re strange little things and can feel a bit intimidating to use at first. But trust me when I say that this little pot of saline water is my salvation.There are plenty of online tutorials explaining how to properly neti (this one is a good place to start) and for more in-depth information visit this site. The only tip I have is to heed the advice and don’t blow your nose super hard, as water will travel into your ear canals and it can be a bit annoying (like you’ve got swimmer’s ear).

  Right now my favorite ceramic pot + sea salts are from Baraka (this starter kit is a great buy). Their infused salt rinse is one of my most favorite things (ever).

• Vitamin D
  Vitamin D deficiency is the talk of the town in the alternative medicine community. And for good reason. Vitamin D has countless benefits including enhanced immunity, decreased inflammation and increased calcium absorbption. And after a lengthy conversation with my osteopath, I learned that going out in the sun for 15 minutes a day and/or living in a sunny climate, isn’t enough to give you optimum levels of D (in other words for most of us, supplementation is a necessity).

  You’ll want to make sure to work with a Doctor on your Vitamin D levels. You need a quick blood test to test your D levels (getting too much isn’t good) to determine the proper dosage initially (and again periodically to maintain optimal levels).Since Vitamin D is a big immune system regulator, getting your fair share can help shorten the duration and event prevent colds and flu altogether. Talk to your doctor about supplementing with D (the best pill I’ve found is a chewable form by Integrative Therapeutics).

• Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C
  I wrote about my love of Lypo-Spheric Vitamin C in The Edit that went out two weeks ago (be sure to sign-up for it here). This is by far the best vitamin for cold and flu. When taken in large doses (between 1,000 and 5,000 mg a day for adults), it can shorten the duration and speed up recovery time when you’re sick.

  I’m a big fan of Live On labs liquid packets (super easy to take on-the-go) and I’ve found I need a lot LESS Vitamin C when I use their product. Most powders and pills are “eaten up” by the digestive system before they can reach your cells. The liposome technology used to deliver Vitamin C however, allows the nutrients to pass through your system and go directly to work inside your cells. You can learn more about the products here. I highly recommend adding a pack to your daily green juice or smoothie!

• Probiotics
  In the U.K. researches conducted a study, examining whether probiotics could help cure the common cold virus. Sure enough, it worked! Probiotics help populate our bodies with beneficial microorganisms that are naturally found in the digestive system. By taking probiotics, you are adding good bacteria to your system and effectively crowding out / making it very difficult for bad bacteria to survive.

  You can get beneficial bacteria from foods, including cultured vegetables, sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir and kombucha. However I for one find it just as easy to take a quality probiotic supplement.I’ve been using VSL #3 through my osteopath’s recommendation and it’s pretty amazing (and very potent). It’s designed for people with digestive problems and is only available online. I’ve also heard great things about Renew Life’s Ultimate Flora capsules as well.

Aside from these helpful natural remedies, it’s also important to drink plenty of hot liquids (lemon water + honey), eat plenty of fruits and veggies (lay off the sugar, dairy and glutinous grains), and of course rest, rest, rest. It can be tough to allow yourself the time to properly rest and heal, but that’s precisely what your body needs, as it fights off illness.

What are your favorite natural cold remedies for this time of year? I’d love to hear them. Leave me a note in the comments below!

xo
Steph

Photo by Femke Leemans