Cold and Flu Remedies My Community Swears By

I’ve been struggling BIG time with a nasty cold this week.

It isn’t uncommon for me to catch one at this time of year. The weather is changing, I’m on airplanes a lot more than usual, I’m speaking more and more and remembering to take my vitamins less.

This one felt a little more aggressive than others and the rate at which I “shared” it with my husband was faster than I flock to him at the front door when he comes home with coffee. Even the Roadrunner would have been impressed.

I’m back on a plane tomorrow and have multiple retreats and workshops coming up in the next few weeks alongside my coaching clients, so rather than go it alone, this time I reached out to the Heart Sparks community on Instagram and asked them to share their best tips for trumping a cold quickly.

Their responses were so heartfelt and diverse that I wanted to share them here as a quick guide for us all. I’ve posted ALL of them below, then added a few of my own as well.

Please note: The suggestions on this list should not ever be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, referral, diagnosis or treatment.  Always consult your healthcare providers before beginning any new treatment or making changes related to your health. This list contains many suggestions that I have not personally tried and therefore cannot endorse. In any case, I am not a doctor (hence reaching out to my community for advice in the first place, followed by a visit to my own GP).

1. Essential Oils – particularly those referencing cold and flu relief.

2. Oregano oil in capsules.

3. Tea or hot water with lemon, ginger and honey.

4. A hot, steamy shower with eucalyptus oil.

5. Lemsip.

6. Acupuncture.

7. Olive leaf extract.

8. Rubbing onion on the soles of your feet and then putting socks on.

9. ViraForce by Oriental Botanicals.

10. Swallowing whole cloves of garlic.

11. Tumeric everything.

12. Soup made with bone broth (as opposed to stock which has lots of sodium).

13. Loads of water.

14. ArmaForce by Bioceuticals.

15. Sliced onions in the bedroom.

16. Tequila!

17. A good Tigers win.

18. Rest.

19. Comfort food.

20. Working with crystals like clear quartz, bloodstone and aquamarine.

21. Gargling with salt water.

22. Sleep.

23. Salt therapy.

24. Things to help flaky skin from excessive nose blowing, like soft tissues, lip balm and vitamin E cream.

25. Fresh chicken noodle and vegetable soup.

26. Using an extra nice blanket, pretty mug or new pyjamas to feel special.

27. Time with a vaporiser.

28. Dim or low lighting.

29. Antioxidant-rich berries and tea.

A huge thank you to the beautiful voices on Instagram who chimed in with their favourites when I put the call out for help, including: Jessica, Laura, Aimee, Tash, Marie, Kristy, Sian, Monique, Annabel, Sophie, Yngve, Glenn, Julie and Jacqui, alongside all of you who gave suggestions that your friends loved or just simply reached out to say hi. I love it when you do that!

We’re one short of a list of thirty here. What final thing would you add to complete the list? Let me know in the comments!

P.S. If you’ve found this list because you’re not feeling great and you’re looking for answers, I hope you feel better soon.

All love and healing to you.