The past week, actually maybe two weeks? I honestly can’t remember, its all a bit of a fever and coughing blur. We’ve had our first taste of the cold and flu season (maybe our first ever REAL taste, I probably just jinxed the rest of our season). This cold has made it’s rounds through almost all 4 of us and even back around to a couple of us. I usually try to stay on top of things, keeping everyone healthy and making sure we have the right remedies but this cold season totally through me for a loop. In an effort to make sure you aren’t thrown into the same PJ lock-down, I wanted to share some of our personal favorite remedies as well as some amazing ones I have been wanting to try (and there is no time like the present, cough cough).

*Many of these are natural remedies, containing things that might not be safe for under 2 years old, or items that might be intense on little bodies – so please use your judgment or consult your dr when it comes to using anything on your little ones.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN ELDERBERRY SYRUP from ohdeardrea

This is more of a preventative measure, and one we surely should have being doing. So if you want to boost your immune system, and help speed up recovery time (no brainier), go see my good friend Drea for more info and the recipe.

DIY VAPOR RUB from everydayroots.com

Make your own, it’s easy and way healthier filled with really helpful essential oils. I couldn’t decide between this recipe which contains beeswax pastilles or this one from DIY Natural, that is made with shea butter – two great recipes for homemade vapor rub.

COLD AND FLU ELIXIR from ohdeardrea

Sick and in need of a magic remedy head over and get this recipe (I called it an elixir because it sounds magical). Drea has natural living totally covered, if I were you I’d follow her to stay up to date with all that future magic she dishes out (also, she’s just the best). (this contains honey, which is not recommended for kids under 12 months and if you use raw honey, kids under 2 should not use)

GINGER TURMERIC AND HONEY BOMB from greenkitchenstories.com

Very similar to Drea’s magic, focusing in on the benefits of turmeric, honey and ginger. (this contains honey, which is not recommended for kids under 12 months and if you use raw honey, kids under 2 should not use)

MORE TOOLS TO ADD or KEEP IN YOUR TOOLBOX:

• Manuka Honey. It is known for its healing properties and literally works wonders for aliments. (I would highly recommended buying this at your local healthy store and speaking to a professional before buying, some people have sensitivities to honey and it is not recommended for kids under 2)
• Badger Balm. If making your own vapor rub, doesn’t sounds like a good time. Go for this option, over the vicks.
• Coconut Water. A healthy electrolyte booster, when you really need that extra hydration skip the Gatorade and go for this. In my experience O.N.E Coconut Water is the best tasting (usually the one they sell at Starbucks), in case that’s what’s been keeping you away.
• Ener-C. a powder you mix in your drink, it gives you a hit of 1,000MG of Vitamin C and changes the taste of your water, since you are probably already drinking tons of that. I buy this for Chris every time he shows even the smallest sign of getting sick.
• Salt Water Gargle. No one really loves it (my Mom used to make us do it as kids), but it really helps with the pain of a sore throat. Also good for cleaning the mouth of germs, since you are detoxifying everything else in your home (if you aren’t you should be: boiling tooth brushes, changing pillow cases and sheets – better to be safe then sorry, because no one likes a germ spreader).
• Humidifier. The cool mist really does help open up stuffed up nasal passages, also it’s just nice to sleep with.
• Elevate the Mattress. We usually lift the kids mattresses by putting a stuffed animal under the portion where thier heads lie. For us we just double up pillows, keep the head elevated to help with breathing freely when stuffed and help keep the coughs away at night.
• And of course, soup (avoid cream based), booger wipes (if that’s your thing), rest (always), and endless amounts of fluids (just pee the cold away).

Do you have any remedies to add? My Oma always made us this homemade cough syrup, I need to hound my sister to get the recipe – I remember it working like nothing else that and her homemade chicken soup where instant cures!