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Natural Cures for the Common Cold and Flu

Hello joyous readers!Yesterday I was on the Morning Show talking about cures for the common cold and flu. You can watch the video below:Here are the recipes
Oct 2, 2013 | Joy McCarthy

Hello joyous readers!

Yesterday I was on the Morning Show talking about cures for the common cold and flu. You can watch the video below:

Here are the recipes I shared.

Honey Lemon Ginger Elixir

This is wonderful for a sore throat, congestion, cough and even symptoms of nausea. Honey is antibacterial, anti-viral and immune building, plus it soothes a sore throat quite nicely. The ginger calms a nauseated belly and it is extremely anti-inflammatory. The lemon aids digestion, promotes detoxification of the liver and is a wonderful source of immune boosting vitamin C. Oh and it tastes like candied ginger!

Recipe

Pack as many chopped fresh lemon slices into a mason jar as you can (choose organic)

Grate 2 tbsp (at least) of fresh ginger with a fine grater

Fill the space left in the mason jar with honey, preferably unpasteurized* to get the healing benefits of the honey

How to enjoy: Place 1-2 tsp of elixir (aka magical potion) into 1 cup of hot water. Let cool slightly before drinking. Keeps for several weeks in the fridge. Tastes like heaven!

*Not for children under 2.

Turmeric Honey Soother

Despite what you might think, this actually tastes yummy! These healing East Indian spices have been enjoyed for their medicinal benefits for thousands of years. The combination of turmeric, cardamom and cinnamon provides a triple-packed-whammy of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. This drink not only soothes but it also aids in prevention as it builds the immune system and keeps it strong. Perfect to help ward off a cold or flu.

Recipe

1 cup coconut milk

1/2 tsp turmeric

1/2 tsp cardamom

1 tsp cinnamon

2 tbsp unpasteurized* honey

Method: Heat coconut milk in a pot over low heat. Stir in spices. Let cool and strain away any clumps of spices. Pour into a mug, add some honey and enjoy!

Spicy Lemon Zinger

This is your go-to for a snotty, congested head and headache. This is not the drink to take when you have a fever mind you, as it will create more heat in the body. If you have a fever, the Turmeric Honey Soother chilled would be a much better option. The lemon aids the liver in detoxification and it's extremely cleansing. The cayenne is metabolism boosting and increases circulation which will benefit you even when you don't have a cold. The heat from the cayenne is extremely beneficial for congestion as it will promote the flow of mucous. Please please please, I beg you! Do not take medications that stop the flow of mucous. You want to blow it out -- not back it up!

Recipe

1 cup water

1/2 juice of 1 fresh lemon

1/2 tsp cayenne

1 tbsp apple cider vinegar

Method: Boil water and pour into a mug. Add lemon, cayenne and apple cider vinegar. Let cool slightly before drinking. Keep a tissue handy because you will be blowing your nose in no time!

Now of course, my hope is that you don't get sick in the first place. How do you avoid getting sick? You keep your immune system strong. Here are some videos and past articles to keep you joyous!

Immune Boosting Foods and Lifestyle Tips

Tips to avoid the flu

Avoid the flu

Be joyous!

Joy

22 Comments
Anita   •   October 2, 2013

Thanks, Joy! These recipes look great! I'm going to use them as a prevention, as well. Well, maybe not the one with cayenne, but the one with coconut milk. lol Awesome job on The Morning Show, like usual. You are very inspiring! :)

Reply

Karen Gnat   •   October 3, 2013

Thanks for these ideas! So easy and amazing!

Reply

Anne   •   October 3, 2013

Yay! Thks! Perfect timing, My man is sick.... Gonna whip him up some of these drinks! XA

Reply

Anita   •   October 4, 2013

I just made the turmeric honey soother with coconut milk I whipped up from a whole fresh coconut. Mmmm...delightful!! Didn't know prevention could taste so good! lol

Reply

Trish Shorter   •   October 6, 2013

How long is the shelf life? Can i mix these up now and keep in the fridge during cold/flu season?

Reply
Carly   •   October 7, 2013

Joyous Health   •   December 30, 2013

[…] Naturals Cures for the Common Cold & Flu […]

Reply

homepage   •   April 17, 2014

Useful info. Lucky me I found your site by chance, and I am stunned why this coincidence didn't took place earlier! I bookmarked it.

Reply

Ashley   •   May 14, 2014

Hey Joy, just wanted to ask how long the turmeric honey soother will last in the fridge? Also, if I incorporate a drop or 3 of oil of oregano in that think it would change the dynamic of the taste too much? Or should I just put the oil in one of the other two elixirs? Feeling rather run down, and no time to be sick! K, thanks -ashley

Reply
Ashley   •   May 14, 2014
Kate McDonald-Walker   •   May 15, 2014

Karen   •   June 10, 2014

It says not for children under 2, what can I give my 7 month old to help him. He's had a cold/flu since the first week of daycare (to be expected) he's been on 2 courses of Antibiotics but once off them the chesty cough, sore throat and blocked nose all come back. We've already given him Honey to soothe his throat (a bit of honey in warm water), but I know there are risks with botulism.

Reply
Kate McDonald-Walker   •   June 13, 2014

Kim   •   January 31, 2015

Natural Cures for the Common Cold and Flu Wondering if you have have any of these remedies while pregnant. I am so stuffed up and my head feels like it's going to explode. I know you cannot have honey....any suggestions? Thank you, Kim

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   January 31, 2015

richard savi   •   September 12, 2015

Thats worth trying... Last time when my kid had common cold I found milk turmeric powder and black pepper power mix to be very beneficial. No doubt there will be even more such natural treatments available to home remedies to common cold and flu.

Reply

Floriana Grossi   •   September 22, 2016

Hi! would organic coconut milk from a can be ok for the turmeric soother?

Reply
Heather Allen   •   September 23, 2016

Jaspreet   •   September 22, 2017

Quite good article,thank you for sharing.

Reply
Rachel Molenda   •   September 22, 2017

Monika Sharma   •   September 15, 2019

Hi Joy. I tried coconut drink and it is delicious. Thank you for sharing recipes....

Reply
Joy McCarthy   •   September 16, 2019

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