Fight your cold and flu with these natural remedies

Colds can make you feel crummy, and the flu can leave you feeling downright drained. Here are a few natural remedies to help cure what ails you.

Invade the kitchen cabinet rather than the medicine cabinet to cure your sore throat. Here's how:

1. Honey coats the throat and has mild antibacterial properties. Stir five to 15 grams (one to three teaspoons) into 250 millilitres (one cup) of warm water and gargle two or three times a day.
2. Salt water has been used as a gargle for centuries because it works so well. It draws moisture from the mucous membranes (thereby diluting mucus) and helps cleanse the throat of phlegm. Dissolve two grams (1/2 teaspoon) of salt in 250 millilitres (one cup) of warm water and gargle three or four times daily.
3. The menthol in peppermint helps open the nasal passages, especially when you gargle strong peppermint tea. Pour 250 millilitres (one cup) of boiling water over three peppermint tea bags and let steep for four to five minutes. Gargle with the cooled solution two or three times a day.

For a practical way to rid yourself of throat congestion, whisk five grams (one teaspoon) of honey into 225 millilitres (eight ounces) of warm water. Now whisk in two millilitres (1/2 teaspoon) of hot red pepper (or Tabasco) sauce. If this is too spicy for you, experiment by adding a few drops at a time. Drink the concoction slowly; follow it with a small ginger ale chaser, which will cool the burn.

Use a frozen bag of peas as a flexible, bendable cold pack to set on the bridge of your nose or on your cheekbones to reduce swelling. Put them back in cold storage to refreeze, and repeat as necessary.

If you feel you've been bitten by the flu bug, drink 3/4 to one kilogram (three to four cups) of elderberry tea daily or take 20–30 drops of elderberry tincture in a glass of water. In Europe, elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has a long history as an antiviral herb, and research bears it out. In one study, nine out of 10 test group subjects who consumed elderberry saw flu symptoms subside in two days, while symptoms in the group that consumed no elderberry continued for six days.

Over a century ago, one of the most common cold cures was bought by the yard: red flannel, which was associated with warmth and healing. Why red? Because of the superstition that the colour red kept evil spirits at bay. Less metaphysically, flannel was said to "draw out" a cold when worn next to the skin.

Flannel came on the scene in the late 19th century when a napped cotton called flannelette appeared in dry goods stores. While considered inferior to wool, this new fabric didn't itch the skin. Mothers tied red flannel scarves around their children's necks to relieve sore throats (in addition to keeping away the evil eye). Many men wore red flannel union suits under their clothing to protect themselves not only from colds and the flu, but to prevent attacks of gout and rheumatism.

Next time you feel a cold or the flu coming on, try one of these easy natural remedies. You may be surprised how quickly they relieve your symptoms!