You’re sick. It’s terrible. We’ve got some good news though: there are home remedies and tips for fighting this illness and getting back to your (non-whining) old self again. Take a look here for foods to avoid while sick, what to add into your diet when you’re fighting off the cold and flu, and even tips for how to make your surroundings a more healing environment. Suffering from the sniffles, sneezes, a full-blown cold, or a terrible flu is no fun for anyone but we’ve got what you need for natural healing at home!

Foods to Eat and Avoid During the Cold or Flu

Is orange juice bad for you while you have a cold or the flu?

We all love foods that comfort us when we don’t feel well. I was raised in the South so fried foods or mac-and-cheese are the ultimate comfort for me but, as it turns out, they may do more harm than good when enjoyed during an illness. Most comfort foods are filled with gluten, soy, or dairy and could potentially stress your immune system. Foods that hinder the fight against sickness are best saved for when you’re feeling better. Try to eat antioxidant-rich foods (like fruit smoothies) or a healthy salad topped with a protein (like chicken, fish, or black beans). Even though you might crave the comfort foods of your childhood while you’re sick, you’ll be glad you stayed away. One other thing to avoid while you’re sick is sugar loaded orange juice. We’ve all heard how good OJ is for us while we are sick but if you aren’t squeezing it yourself, you aren’t doing your body any favors. Try eating oranges or using a Vitamin C supplement to avoid the added sugar but still get the benefits. Staying hydrated is key while you’re sick so substitute with herbal teas, water, or coconut water instead. And, if you’re making yourself a hot cup of tea, use raw honey while you’re sick! Raw, unfiltered honey is known to have antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and immunity stimulating properties; a perfect food to eat while you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms! For a natural, reliable herbal remedy for cough try Kroeger’s CGH tea made with a soothing blend of herbs to quite your cough and help your throat heal.

The Cold or Flu in Your Room: A Disaster Area of Tissues?

Sometimes sickness makes us a little sloppy; several cups stacked around, used tissues on the floor, bed, or table. Sound familiar? While we like to relax and not worry about the mess that comes from being sick, often our rooms become dungeons of illness and we are held captive! Try cutting back on some of your cold and flu time by incorporating some fresh and healing smells into the room like lavender or clary sage. These essential oils can boost or brighten your mood a bit and offer some healing through scent. Try putting a few drops on a pillow or in a diffuser. Other healing essentials to consider in your room to keep your spirits up: a stack of reading materials, tissues, herbs for cold and flu, blankets and cold cloths. It may sound silly to have calm and “non-sick” surroundings while you rest but by improving your mood and lightening your spirits with essential oils or sunlight you’re helping your body get back on track and conquer the infection!

Hanna’s Remedies for Cold and Flu

1. Soup it Up! Chicken soup is the ultimate when we are sick and even if you’re omitting the chicken because of dietary or personal choices, the broth will bring hydration and the veggies offer important vitamins and minerals. Hanna encouraged us to stay away from the canned stuff; homemade is best! If you aren’t a fan of chicken soup, try Hanna’s Onion Soup (chop several white and red onions and add to broth of your choice. Season with tamari and thyme).
2. Eat Your Veggies! Kale, onions, and broccoli are at the top of the list for foods to eat while you’re sick. Hanna believed in the natural sulfurs and vitamins in vegetables for prevention and treatment of colds and flu.
3. Citrus for Health—whether it’s lemon added to a hot cup of tea, peeling and eating fresh oranges, or making a tea of grapefruit skin, Hanna encouraged us to use citrus while sick to speed healing. Our bodily flushes Vitamin-C from our system frequently so even though a product may claim to offer over 100% of your daily Vitamin-C needs, when you are sick it’s important to continually replenish the amount in your body!
   

   Eat your veggies to cut down cold and flu time!

4. Herbs for Cold and Flu—Hanna understood herbs and was able to create several herbal combinations for our ailments. Aside from her CGH tea to soothe a cough, she also created several capsules that address sickness. VYR  and  VYR-33 are unique blends of herbs that Hanna said were in “close competition with Mom’s chicken soup”. There are others to consider as well, Sinus Blend for issues with the sniffles, INF Blend or FLT tea to supplement our body’s natural defenses and bring healing, as well as Black Radish and Parsley for throat and immune health. These are only a sample of products that Hanna created for the cold and flu season, check our website to see our entire cold and flu section of products! While you’re there you can also check out our immune boosting products .

While we all get sick, the way we approach our illnesses is different for everyone. Choose to fill your body with good foods, herbs, and remedies to speed healing naturally! The cold and flu may attack your home this year but you can fight back!

Do you have any home remedies or natural choices you use when you’re feeling sick with the cold or flu? We would love to hear about them! Our remedies listed here came primarily from the employee favorite “Ageless Remedies from Mother’s Kitchen”, take a look!