You know the feeling when a cold’s brewing – sore throat, stuffy nose, tight in the chest, energy drops.

Just want it all to go away, so you can get on with living……now you’re secretly wishing you’d etched grandma’s sure fire concoction to memory…. it really worked.

Well, I’m hearing you. Here’s 10 Cold Fighting ingredients your grandma would’ve used. Try one or many.

And remember, use these tips in addition to a whole food diet.

Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes and fish, seafood and meat (if you’re not vegetarian) to help my body repair quickly. It’s fundamental for a strong immune system and being able to bounce back after being sick.

Here’s 10 Cold Fighting Food Remedies (sourced from grandma’s all around the world) to annihilate that cold pronto:

1. Garlic

Packed with powerful allicin, which imparts immune boosting, antiviral and antibacterial healing powers, perfect for blitzing colds and flu.

How to turn up the volume on garlic –

• Add to soups, foods or hot lemon drink (below)
• Chop up half a clove raw garlic and take with a glass of orange juice,
• Suck on a clove …yup, it sounds repulsive and probably best not done before a dinner date. Works wonders for a sore throat.

What you need….1 clove, peeled & sliced in half. Place one piece in each cheek and suck on it like a cough drop. Occasionally crush against your teeth to release more active ingredients. Do once a day.

• Apply to soles of your feet ……if eating it doesn’t excite you apply it to externally. It works a treat!

What you need…..6 cloves, peeled & crushed, ½ cup ghee, lard or copha. Spread the mush on soles of feet and cover with heavy cotton socks, plus an extra pair or two to protect your bedding. Do it once a night or top up with a fresh batch every 5 hours until your cold is gone. Caution: it stings on broken skin.

 

2. Ginger

Reduces fevers, soothes sore throats and helps loosen mucus on your chest. Active ingredients gingerol and shagaols give it a spicy kick that stimulates blood circulation and opens your sinuses. Improved circulation means more oxygen is getting to your tissues to help remove toxins and viruses.

What you need…..5cm fresh ginger, grated or sliced, 2 cups boiling water, ½ tsp honey, manuka or good quality (optional), ½ lemon, juiced (optional boost). Infuse for 5 minutes and drink often.

And honey is great for irritated, itchy and sore throats. It’s also a natural antibacterial and antiviral.

Drink a cup of hot ginger tea, which also induces sweating. To make the tea, steep a half-teaspoon minced ginger root in 1 cup just-boiled water. Strain, then drink.” – Best Health Mag, Readers Digest

 

3. Clove

Used to ease pain in throat and mouth down through the ages. It contains eugenol, a natural pain killer and antibacterial.

Chewing on a clove will slowly numb your throat.

What you need….Several whole cloves, Glass of water (optional). Pop a clove into your mouth and suck until it comes soft, now chew as if it’s gum. Use as needed.

 

4. Onion

Onion contains a milder form of same active ingredient in garlic, but both work as natural antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, expectorant (loosen up mucus so you can cough it up) and strengthen your immune system. Raw onions are best, since they’re sulphur content is highest.

Homemade honey and onion cough syrup.

What you need….

• 1 red onion or yellow onion or ½-1 head of garlic (8-12 cloves)
• 1 cup raw honey or manuka honey
• 1 wide mouthed jar with tight fitting lid

Slice onion evenly, place a few slices in base of jar and cover with a layer of honey. Repeat layering until all ingredients are used. Cover tightly, allow to sit on bench for 8-12 hours. Liquid will have collected. Use 3 tablespoons an hour if needed for a cough.

Best used fresh. Once made can store in fridge for up to 2 days. After that, whip up another batch.

 

5. Salt

Here’s an oldie. Gargle with warm salty water. Great for a sore throat. Decreases swelling, since it draws out water of swollen tissue and eases the pain. Also helps to wash away excess mucous and allow a stuffy nose to drain.

What you need….½ tsp sea, Celtic or Himalayan salt dissolved in 1 cup warm water. Dissolve and gargle.

Repeat at least three times during the day, any more than that can be too drying and make things worse.

 

6. Eucalyptus oil

Inhale those bugs away with steam and clearing and antiseptic qualities of eucalyptus oil. Relieves congestion and nasal stuffiness like a treat!

What you need…..1 large bowl or sink, a third filled with boiling water, few drops eucalyptus oil, 1 large towel, to drape over head.

Lean over bowl to inhale the steam. Use caution steam can burn. Drape the towel over your head to create a tent. Breathe it in and relax!

 

7. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

It’s right up there with garlic. Unfortunately, things that heal us don’t always taste delicious. ACV’s high levels of acidity kill bacteria and when mixed with honey soothe the throat as well.

What you need……1 tablespoon ACV, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 cup very warm water. Mix and drink while warm.

Note: If you’re faint-hearted you can gargle 2 tablespoons ACV in half cup warm water.

 

8. Turmeric

Turmeric is packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and is antiviral and antifungal.

Add it to a soup, green smoothie or make a turmeric tea. Click here for recipe.

 

9. Chamomile

Naturally soothes sore throats being a pain killer, antispasmodic (aka helps your muscles relax) and antibacterial.

You will need….1 chamomile tea bag or 1 heaped tsp chamomile flowers, 1 cup boiling water, Honey, lemon (optional)

Combine and steep for 10 minutes. Drink as often as you like.

 

10. Licorice

Got all excited…..no, I’m NOT talking the black gooey stuff full of sugar and flour. I’m talking dried licorice root, same taste but minus the baggage.

Licorice is antiviral, anti-inflammatory, reduces swelling and irritation and soothes mucous membranes in your throat. Buy it already in a tea bag or make your own.

You will need……

• 1 cup chopped dry licorice root
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 tablespoons whole cloves
• ½ cup chamomile flowers

Combine all and store in air tight glass jar.

To prepare tea, combine 3 heaped tablespoons of tea mix and 2.5 cups cold water in a saucepan. Bring to boil then simmer for 10 minutes on low.

Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Julie xx