Get relief from your symptoms with these home remedies for cold and cough. These easy recipes use herbs and essential oils to help you feel better naturally.
It's the season for colds and coughs. We stayed healthy over Christmas break, but I had two sick kids the week before Christmas and now I have a sick husband.
When we are sick, I look to both medicines and home remedies for cold and cough. I'm not opposed to taking over the counter medications or seeing the doctor, but I think home remedies have their place.
I live in a rural area. It's not just a quick trip to the store to get medicines. I try to stay stocked up on cold, fever, and cough medications, but we do run out.
It never fails that someone starts with symptoms Friday night through Sunday. We are very limited for immediate care in my area. Both options are more than half an hour each way and close early on weekends.
Sometimes over the counter medications don't give me enough symptom relief. When I have chest congestion, I take medication and use natural remedies like steam and vapors for more relief.
I'm not a doctor and don't pretend to be one. Always check with your doctor and use common sense when you are sick.
And always practice safety when using these with your kids. This post is written for adults, so always double check to see if children can use essential oils. Some are safe for kids over 2, and some aren't safe until the child is 10 or older.
Home Remedies for Cough and Cold
Humidifier
We use wood to heat the house, so the air gets very dry in the winter. I run a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Adding moisture to the air helps loosen congestion so you can get relief quick.
But this isn't the only benefit of having a humidifier. When the air has
50 percent humidity, airborne bacteria actually starts to do down. This can decrease the liklihood that you'll keep passing germs around.
I use a
cool mist humidifier and a
Vick's humidifier
, depending on the symptoms. For a dry cough, we use cool mist. For a productive cough or congestion, we use the warm mist with Vick's Vapo Steam.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are very helpful when making home remedies for cough and cold. When we start having any cough or sinus congestion, I reach for my
Breath Easy blend.
It's a blend of several essential oils that work together to help relieve congestion and help me feel better.
Other oils that are good to use when you are sick are:
Learn more about the
best essential oils for cold and flu here and get ideas for diffuser blends.
If you don't have a diffuser, you can
make wax melts for cold and flu. You can use these in a wax melter or burner just like you would a wax melt.
When someone is sick in the house, I make sure that I clean very well. Here's
how to make your own thieve's blend from essential oils.
Shower Steamers
Besides using a diffuser, my favorite way to use essential oils as a home remedy for cold and cough is to make a shower steamer.
Steam really helps my breathing. Shower steamers basically turn your shower into a huge aromatherapy spa.
Vapor Rubs and Salves
We use vapor rubs and salves a lot. When my kids were little, I put it on their feet.
This is often one of our first lines of defense because it's so easy to use. I make a batch in late summer or early fall so it's ready when we need it.
If you'd rather buy, I highly recommend the original
Vick's VapoRub
. I'm all for saving money, but none of the generics have worked for me. Or try a
handmade salve with camphor and eucalyptus.
Bath Products
When you're sick, sometimes soaking in a warm bathtub can help you feel better. The water relaxes your body, and the essential oils create an aromatherapy spa.
Don't want to DIY? I get you. Try this
cold and flu bath bomb with peppermint, eucalyptus, and rosemary.
Elderberry
I'll admit that I was skeptical about elderberry until I started taking it. Notice in my intro that 3/5 of us have been sick, but I haven't. I take elderberry syrup at the first hint of sickness and then daily while everyone else is sick.
I use my homemade syrup, but when I do get some congestion, I switch to
Nature's Way Umcka Elderberry Intensive Cold Plus Flu Syrup
. This stuff is seriously amazing. You can also buy
handmade elderberry syrup on Etsy.
Cough Drops
Sometimes cough medicine just isn't enough to stop the cough. Making your own homemade cough drops is easier than you think.
- Homemade Cough Drops - This uses an herbal infusion plus honey and lemon or orange juice to naturally control the urge to cough.
- Homemade Cough Drops - These are a bit easier to make with just honey, lemon juice, ginger and coconut oil.
For a natural cough drop from the store, I prefer
Zarbee's or
Burt's Bees.
Food Recipes
While the other home remedies for cold and cough are for symptom relieve, some foods can help boost your immune system and help you feel better faster.
Teas and Drinks
When I don't feel good, I often don't feel like eating much. These teas and drinks can help you stay hydrated and give your body a boost while you're sick.
For a store bought tea, these are my favorites:
Zarbee's Cough and Throat Relief,
Organic Throat Coat,
Modest Earth Breathe Easy Tea.
I hope these 26 home remedies for cold and cough help you feel better soon!
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