26 Home Remedies for Cold and Cough

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:

• Peppermint 
• Eucalyptus
• Camphor
• Tea Tree
• Lavender

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.

Learn more about the best essential oils for sinus headache.

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.

• Cold and Flu Sinus Relief Shower Steamers -  This is an easy recipe with just two ingredients plus oils and water to bind it together.  
•  Shower Steamers for Congestion - This uses a kid safe essential oil blend.
• DIY Shower Steamers Recipe With Menthol Crystals - This uses menthol crystals instead of essential oils.

Not ready to DIY?  Try these eucalyptus and menthol shower steamers or these camphor and eucalyptus shower steamers.

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.

• How to Make Vapor Rub Naturally - This is an easy recipe with beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils. 
• Breath Easy Essential Oil Blend Homemade Vapor Rub Recipe - Soap Deli has a great recipe with a carrier oil, beeswax, essential oils, and menthol crystals.
• All Natural Chest Rub Bars - Avoid the mess with this solid lotion vapor rub recipe.
• Homemade Rub for  Colds and Flu - Country Hill Cottage lists several oils to use in their easy recipe.

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.

• Bath Salts for Cold and Flu Recipe - These easy bath salts have essential oils that help relieve congestion. 
• Easy Homemade Eucalyptus Bath Bombs - These bath bombs release eucalyptus essential oils to help you breathe easier while you soak.

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.

• Elderberry Syrup Recipe With Honey -  This it the elderberry syrup recipe that I use and love.  
• Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup Recipe - I love my Instant Pot, so I might try this one next.
• Elderberry Iced Tea Recipe - The syrup doesn't taste bad, but my kids don't like it.  This elderberry iced tea recipe might be a better option for some people.
• Elderberry Tea - Or try this immune boosting elderberry hot tea drink.

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.

• Green Tea Chicken Noodle Soup - Give your chicken noodle soup a boost with green tea filled with antioxidants. 
• Immune Boosting Smoothie Bowl - This easy smoothie tastes great and is full of good things your body needs to heal.
• Tummy Healing Soup for One - If you have an upset tummy, try this soup.

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.

• Honey and Lemon Drink for Colds - Boost your vitamin C and take honey to calm a cough with this easy drink. 
• Fire Cider Vinegar Drink - Knock out a cold quick with this apple cider vinegar based drink.
• Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Tea Recipe - Curb inflammation with this golden milk recipe.
• Pepper Milk - This drink soothes your throat after coughing a lot. 
• Vitamin C Smoothie - Drink your vitamins with this yummy smoothie recipe.
• Soothing Therapeutic Herbal Tea - This has chamomile tea, honey, lemon juice, and mint to help relieve symptoms.
• Anti Inflammatory Turmeric Hot Chocolate - This is a delicious sugar free hot cocoa recipe that can also be dairy free.

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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