I really hate that feeling of a cold coming on. I used to feel so helpless, like all I could do was let it run its course while I sniffled and sneezed my way through. Fortunately, I’ve learned a lot in recent years about how the immune system functions and what I can do to support it in situations like this, and I today I’m sharing all of my tips with you!
I’ve compiled a list of 22 natural remedies that I turn to when I’m fighting something off, along with notes on exactly how I use them. I don’t use all of these every time, but they have all served me well at one point or another!
Here are 22 natural remedies that I use to get well fast:
1. Get as much extra sleep as possible. Sleep is when your body can focus on healing!
2. Avoid strenuous exercise in favor of more restful movement such as walking (or more sleep!). If your body is already stressed from trying to fight off an illness, you don’t want to add to that strain with vigorous exercise.
3. Consume 1 tsp cod liver oil or 2 oz liver daily; the extra Vit A is supportive of immune health. (source) Similarly, add an extra dose of Vit D, as the two are synergistic! I take 20,000 IU Vit D.
4. Take extra Vit C (I usually use 2-3 gm of the Seeking Health liposomal form). I take 1000mg daily during flu season for prevention.
5. Use Beekeepers Naturals propolis spray 2-3 tomes daily. This is one of my favorites for on the go!
6. Elderberry Syrup (I take 2-4 tsp Nature’s Answer concentrate). Elderberry is well supported in the research as an antiviral, and is also rich in antioxidants!
7. Source Naturals Wellness Formula- this formula is AMAZING. I have gotten clearance from my ND to use this even in context of autoimmunity, but you’ll want to check with your practitioner as well! I take 6 caps 2-3 times daily when fighting something off.
8. Integrative Therapeutics V-Clear- a homeopathic antiviral, specifically for respiratory infections. However, I have found this to be helpful for any viral illness! I take it 2-3 times daily when sick.
9. Colloidal silver- I use this brand specifically, and take 1 tbsp three times daily when fighting something off. I will also add 1 tsp to my neti pot rinse (see #20)!
10. Castor oil packs (supplies here under wellness tab) / lymphatic massage / gentle rebounding- each of these helps move lymph in the body, which is beneficial because that supports our body’s efforts to clear out the infection. (Ever notice how your lymph nodes swell when you get sick? This is your body’s natural response!)
11. Vit C IV’s or immune IV’s- IV therapy has proven to be incredibly useful. They range in cost from $100-$150 each, but when I was using them regularly as part of another protocol, I noticed that I rarely got sick, and if I felt something coming on, an IV knocked it right out! They’re so effective because they bypass the digestive system and put the nutrients right into the bloodstream where they can be immediately distributed.
12. Embrace the fever if it is present. Fever is the body’s natural way of fighting off pathogens that cannot survive at a higher temperature. Once I stopped taking fever reducing medications and embraced the process, I started getting better in half the time! I bundle up and get under covers and try to sweat as much as possible. (While making a point to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration!)
13. Sauna / soaking in a hot bath- similar to a fever, heating up the body can help to kill off unwanted viruses and bacteria. (source) There is also a lot of research supporting the benefits for detoxification and longevity, which I won’t get into here.
14. Hydrate with electrolytes (or this one) and Oral IV. I aim for 3L fluids daily when sick.
15. Fresh ginger juice shots. These help to bind viral pathogens before they can attach to respiratory tract! (source) I will make them at home if I can, or purchase from a juice shop if needed.
16. Monolaurin- this is another antiviral supplement that has been helpful to me in my Epstein Barr journey. I take 1000mg twice daily.
17. Olive Leaf Extract + L-Lysine- more antivirals. I take 500mg of each daily.
18. Oregano essential oil (I only ingest doTERRA brand)- this works SO well for me! I take 1 drop in a gelcap with meals twice daily. I also usually add a drop of Thyme, Melaleuca/Tea Tree, and Lemon, and make sure that I’m eating it with fat, or adding an oil to the capsule to dilute.
19. Diffusing essential oils (Melaleuca, OnGuard, Eucalyptus)- as we breathe in the oils, not only do they help to fight pathogens present in our lungs, but they are also absorbed into our bodies where they can continue to work! I also find that using oils that help to open up my sinuses (like Peppermint, Eucalyptus, or Breathe) are very helpful.
20. Neti pot twice daily. I do this at the first sign of something being amiss, and I haven’t had a sinus infection since I started! It works by flushing out the sinuses to keep bacteria from building up and replicating there. I also like to add 1 tsp of colloidal silver to the mix for extra bug fighting capability.
21. Plenty of bone broth, soups/stews + strict avoidance of sugar and processed foods. Processed foods and sugar contribute to inflammation, which makes it harder for our bodies to fight off illness and infection. Focusing on nutrient dense foods that are easy to digest (such as soups/stews) give our bodies easy access to the nutrients that they need to heal! Bonus: the glycine (collagen) in the bone broth helps support a healthy gut lining, which keeps you healthier long-term!
22. Black Seed Oil- this oil has been shown provide anti-inflammatory support (source) that translate to a myriad of health benefits, including helping the body fight off illness! (It also helps to reduce Hashimoto’s antibodies! (source)) I take 1-2 tsp most days already, but will increase this in times of sickness! I like to take it with 1 tsp manuka honey for an extra boost!
I hope this has been a helpful resource! Is there anything else that you would add to this list? Let me know in the comments!
Until next time,
Tracey
PS. Truly understanding my Hashimoto’s has been key in being able to support my immune system in a way that doesn’t trigger an autoimmune flare. I put together a free PDF download of my The Top 5 Things I Did To Heal my Hashimoto’s Naturally. You can grab that free download here! I’ve also created a course all about the ins and outs of Hashimoto’s, how it works, and how to overcome it. If you want to learn more about that, head on over here to get all the details!