Cold and Flu Season is here. (Not to mention Coronavirus. My heart so goes out to the quarantined people of the world. The loss of loved ones, the fear of the what-ifs and unknowns – my thoughts and prayers are with you, and I wish I could do more.) Here in our home, there are more than half of my kids down with the flu. I know this is one illness their body can beat, but it is hard to watch them suffer in the meantime.

Here are a few strategies we use in my home to stay well and get well:

To Stop it from Spreading

I start diffusing essential oils that contain antiviral and antibacterial properties like cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, lemon, orange, oregano, rosemary (or a blend like Butterfly Express’s Deliverance or doTerra’s OnGuard) around my home.

I keep surfaces germ free by making a diy disinfectant spray:
1:2 ratio of rubbing alcohol to water plus essential oils listed above. (I usually use a blend or a combination of lemon and clove.) So it could look like this:

Disinfectant Spray Recipe:

1 cup rubbing alcohol (70% strength)
2 cups water (filtered is best)
10 drops lemon essential oil
10 drops clove essential oil
Shake together in spray bottle and spray on furniture and carpet. Spray on rag and use to wipe down doorknobs, light switches, stair rails, remotes, cell phones – anywhere hands touch.

We also wash our hands a lot more than usual. My husband was teasing me yesterday because I told him I had to wash my hands before I could come sit by him because I just touched our son, who has the flu. But, hey, I think it’s worth it. I’m usually not a stickler for washing hands (I actually believe there are so many good germs in the world, I don’t want to kill them all) but when I know there’s ‘bad bugs’ all around, I am a firm believer in washing hands.

To Build up Immunity

I make a batch of Elderberry Syrup and encourage everyone to have a tablespoon a day. Here’s the recipe I use:

Elderberry Syrup

2 c. elderberries
2 c. water (filtered is best)
1 c. honey

Add elderberries and water into pan and then bring them to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes and then turn off heat and let elderberries steep for an hour.

Strain berries and pour juice back into the pan. On medium-low heat, add honey and heat until honey is mixed through, stirring occasionally.

Let cool and then store in the refrigerator.

Note: The ratio here is 2:2:1 Elderberries:Water:Honey so adjust it accordingly. (As in, 1 c. elderberries, 1 c. water and 1/2 c. honey. Or 4 cups elderberries, 4 cups water and 2 cups honey. You get the idea.)

A tasty idea: Add elderberry syrup to seltzer water for a great tasting soda that settles well on upset tummies and adds an immune boost too!

Another tasty idea: My husband made a delicious smoothie made of orange juice, mango, blueberries, avocado, vanilla, coconut water and elderberry syrup.

On that note, I also serve good nourishing foods, like soups based on bone broths and dishes that include garlic.

For Sore Throat Comfort

If I have a painful sore throat, I:

• drink some herbal tea, like Throat Coat from Traditional Medicinals or Throat Comfort from Yogi – or even just chamomile herbal tea
• Mix some honey, turmeric, cayenne and ginger in a bowl and then I just take a small spoonful whenever I need some relief
• keep a humidifier going
• drink lots of water

You can also do a salt water gargle (1/2 tsp. of salt to 8 oz. of water), or
an Apple Cider Vinegar gargle (1-2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar to 8 oz. water)

For Cough

• honey and lemon juice (In a spoon, put a big drop of honey then fill the spoon with lemon juice and swallow it down)
• good natural cough drops
• anything for congestion (see below) to loosen things up

For Congestion

• drink some herbal teas, like Breathe Easy by Traditional Medicinals
• keep a humidifier going
• drink lots of water
• Chest rub. I make a copyrighted recipe I learned at a workshop. I also often buy one, or there’s some recipes from Mountain Rose Herbs that look promising.
• Hot shower or bath with steam and essential oils and/or epsom salts in bath.

For Headache

• I mix lotion or a carrier oil (almond or olive or coconut oil) with a drop or two of lavender oil and rub it on temples, beneath the ears an down the neck, and on the bottom of feet.
• I also like to treat congestion because a cold and flu headache is often caused by congestion

For Upset Stomach

• drink some lemon ginger herbal tea
• eat bland, nourishing foods like mashed potatoes with bone broth and garlic gravy

For Earaches

• garlic oil in or around the ear, or this blend from trilight health is one of our favorites
• I also use the congestion helps as these are often caused by congestion with cold and flu

And besides all that…

we just take it easy. We let things slide. We let the able-bodied happily serve the less-able-bodied. We take lots of naps and baths anytime we want. We listen to audiobooks or watch a good movie (once they have enough energy for that). And we know that this too shall pass and soon we’ll be back to go-go-go mode again!

Wishing you health and happiness,

Kenna

Common Sense Disclaimer: I am not a physician, nor do I know your particular case. Therefore, I am not diagnosing or specifically suggesting any of the above for your specific case. If your instinct says to see a medical practitioner, trust that. I totally believe in trusting your gut. None of what I say can take the place of a trusted medical practitioner.