Natural Remedies for Flu & Colds: Fire Cider Vinegar

it’s that time of year again

I use lots of natural cold and flu remedies, they work for me, in this blog are my favourites, with most of the ingredients i use can be found in my good holistic kitchen, in this post you will find all you need to help in cold and flu season, from my wisdom and experience as a trained herbalist, homeopath and dietician, CaraBaba at wiseroots

firstly, let’s discuss

GOOD STAPLES IN YOUR KITCHEN

the following are basics, have them in your kitchen all the time, they are easy to buy from any supermarket. These can help create quick remedies to ease colds and are great proven remedies for colds and flu:

GARLIC - fresh cloves work wonders

HONEY or manuka honey - a proven antiviral

CAYENNE PEPPER - excellent cold remedy

LEMON use fresh lemon juice

TOP HERBAL HELPERS

Here is as list of my top natural remedy cabinet herbal remedies, don’t forget to use my code at the end of this blog to purchase quality herbal remedies

FEVERFEW - good for colds, headaches, fever, inflammatory, pain relief good all rounder in general

SLIPPERY ELM BARK POWDER helps coughs sore throat, also helps digestive issues also

ECHINACEA - good all rounder for colds & flu, immmne boosting, anti viral, anti inflammatory

GINGER  - will help soothe and an expectorant, pain reliever, anti inflammatory

NETTLE  perfect for inflammation, cleanses body  and a natural antihistamine see my nettle video here

OREGANO a powerful natural antibiotic

THYME a powerful anti viral

My advice is to use tinctures, which last much longer than fresh or dried herbs, choose herbs that will work with your symptoms and needs.

DONT FORGET TO USE MY CODE

10% DISCOUNT AT INDIGO HERBS UK

use ‘CARAINDIGO’ in cart

VITAMIN BOOST

here are some extra boosts

• WATER  drink lots of filtered water to help hydrate and flush your system of toxins

• VITAMIN C helps fight infection

• ZINC helps immunity

• PROBIOTICS tske live yogurt & kefir to boost immunity

• ELECTROLYTES - helping balance your body when you are unwell, make a quick electrolyte drink: add a few grains of himalayan salt or celtic seasalt to water, add 1/4 tsp of molasses or natural honey

• SOUPS eat light and put in plenty of garlic, healing mushroom powder such as reishi, turkey tail, lions mane to help boost natural immunity

Diet (or fasting) is crucial to good health and what you eat daily affects your health profoundly

other helpers include:

• HOMEOPATHY the remedy aconite (30c) is a great remedy to take if you feel like ‘your coming down with something’ start with this as soon as you can after feeling ‘unwell’, if you have deeper issues book in with me for a homeopathy consultation

• REST is the mother of all healing

• FASTING is the mother of all healing, have a light diet when unwell

• STEAM INHALATION steam inhalation is accessible for all, add himalayan salt or  lavender or tea tree essential oil, it works wonders to help remove phlegm and soothe airways

• COLLOIDAL SILVER SPRAYS if i have discomfort from a cold in my nasal cavity or throat i spray 10ppm colloidal silver (good quality lab tested) up my nose and down my throat for 1-3 days x twice a day (2pumps inhaled in via spray) or i add colloidal silver to nasal irrigation

• GARGLING - great for sore throats gargle with sea salt of himalayan salt water (boiled) add a few optional drops of colloidal silver

• NASAL IRRIGATION / NETI POT nasal irrigation or using a ‘neti pot’ in the correct way with fully boiled water and himalayan salt, check out my youtube tutorial video

• SALT INHALATION PIPE salt inhaler pipes - are great for chesty coughs and infections

• CBD is a great oil helping you to relax, helps with pain relief

• NATURAL ANTIBIOTIC OREGANO OIL CAPSULES if i feel i need help, i take my ‘natural antibiotic’  remedy, i take a good quality oregano oil with high carvacrol as a natural antibiotic (do not take this oil neat as it is a ‘hot oil’ and may burn soft tissue, always take in a capsule) and consult a doctor or professional

• BLACK SEED OIL contains oleuropein a natural antioxidant, good to boost immunity and is anti  inflammatory and good respiratory support helping open lungs and airways , helps a sore throat if taken off the spoon

Here are my favourite quick recipes for when you need something super speedy to help with a cough or cold:

QUICK COLD FLU HONEY SYRUP RECIPE

mix in a glass jar or pot:

honey (ideally manuka) 2 tbspns +

raw chopped onion

optionally add:

powdered thyme or oregano 2tsp

cayenne / chilli pepper powder 1/2 tsp

place honey in a small pot or jar, add chopped ingredients raw onion etc, stir well, steep for 1hour, take the ‘honey/onion juice’ as you would a regular cough medicine off of the spoon (it actually tastes lovely), 1 teaspoon every few hours, this can really help cold flu symptoms when combined with other remedies listed here

CHAI TEA RECIPE

make a regular cup of tea (ideally caffeine free) and add in the following from your spice cupboard, you can make on the stove in a pan for a richer brew:

• black or white tea bag

• boiled filtered water or milk of choice for a latter

• ADD TO TASTE (or per large cup or small pan 1/6 teaspoon)

• powdered or fresh ginger 1/4 tsp

• turmeric powder or fresh 1/4 tsp

• cinnamon 1/4 tsp

• black pepper, a shake

• add a tiny amount of liquorice root or liquorice tincture for liquorice chai, good for sore throat (3-7 drops of tincture)

• ADD honey to taste (ideally manuka honey) add when water is slightly cooled

• extra virgin coconut oil 1tsp will help with antibacterial properties

NATURAL ANTIHISTAMINE FOR COLDS & SINUS

if you have swollen nasal passage or throat, these remedies are great histamine clearing if you are experiencing high levels of histamine and cortisol (and swelling) the following herbs can help,

• #1 NETTLE  - for inflammation (antihistamine) use high amounts (leaf tea) take every hour, contains quercetin

• HORSERADISH (pungent hot aromatic upward moving) good for wet damp condition, grate fresh root and pour acv and inhale fumes

• OTHER HELPERS AS TEA OR TINCTURE st johns wort,

  thyme, peppermint , chamomile,

  yarrow , melissa - bee balm , rosemary, liquorice, elderflower

  
  

• OTHER HELPERS : OMEGA 3, VIT C,

  MAGNESIUM

  
  

SORE THROAT / LARYNGITIS

difficulty swallowing speaking sore throats, here is a quick guide help list:

• GARGLES: use SALT WATER GARGLE,

  Lemon in salt water gargle or ACV

  vinegar gargle

• DIET add garlic onions to your diet or use honey/onion cough syrup remedy recipe in this blog

• slippery elm:  in a thick drink, create a gruel with apple sauce, ceylon cinnamon, add in chia seeds or cooked oats and honey, thd will coat your throat soothing itv

• marshmallow tincture: use for dry sore throat

• sage : numbing anti bac & astringent use in tea with honey, or with salt to gargle

• CLOVE sore throat / numbing, chew on a clove or add in to a tea

• YARROW bitter tonic antibacterial, great for a gargle

• HOREHOUND is very good for cough relief and bronchitis relief, use as a gargle or tea

  
  

AND NOW FOR AN AMAZING RECIPE:

FIRE CIDAR RECIPE

This recipe is one of my all time favourite’s i’ve been making it for a very long time, for me, it’s been very effective

traditional fire cider recipe is a potent, easy, affordable home natural herbal remedy and medicine perfect for cold and flu season.

I will share my recipe and methods with you below

The recipe was originally created by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar who coined the name in the 1970s.  Fire Cider is a form of ‘oxymel’ (acidic vinegar and honey) blend of infused warming herbs and roots, these type of remedies have been used for thousands of years

BENEFITS (in recent studies, it helps with)

• helps the body balance blood sugar levels

• helps reduce inflammation.

• Helps fight infections / immune boosting / antibacterial antiviral

• aids weight loss with 1 to 2 tablespoons daily leading to reduced belly fat.

• ingredients contain phytochemicals known for their strong digestive, antiviral, antiseptic and / or decongestant properties

Ingredients

• raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the mother (at least 5% acidity) enough to cover the ingredients

• horseradish root grated 1 root

• ginger root grated 2 pieces or 1-2 inch

• fresh turmeric (or 2 tablespoons dried, powdered turmeric)1 small root

• garlic cloves minced 1-2 bulbs (8-15 cloves)

• 1 onion peeled and diced

• chillies or cayenne peppers, chopped to taste

• 1 lemon (unwaxed), sliced rind and all

• rosemary 2 tablespoons chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)

• thyme 2 tablespoons chopped thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried)

• parsley 1/2 cup chopped parsley (or 2 teaspoon dried)

• cinnamon, use 1 ceylon cinnamon stick or powdered cinnamon (1-2 teaspoons)

• 10 whole cloves

• black pepper, at least 1 teaspoon black peppercorns or black ground pepper

• raw honey, add at least 1/4 cup raw honey, or more to taste

Feel free to change or adapt the recipe to your requirements.  The degree of “fire” in the blend depends on how much cayenne or hot peppers you add!

GO ORGANIC

If you can use organically grown produce to keep pesticides, waxes or dyes from migrating into the vinegar

Instructions

1. Chop the ingredients finely: vegetables, roots, herbs

2. Place the chopped ingredients in a clean large jar.

3. Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar to cover the chopped ingredients, The apple cider vinegar should cover the herbs by an inch or two.

4. Seal the jar cap tightly. If your cap or jar contains metal, screw the lid on over a piece of cooking parchment or a small plastic bag to keep the lid from corroding. shake well

5. allow the mixture to infuse for 4-6 weeks, shaking it occasionally, at least nice a week minimum

6. After the steeping period, use a fine mesh strainer to strain the fire cider into a clean glass bottle.

7. Again, Sweeten with additional honey to taste.

8. Refrigerate and use within a year.

How to Use Fire Cider Tonic

• OFF THE SPOON Some herbalists recommend taking a tablespoonful of cider tonic daily as a preventative during cold and flu season, having it right off the spoon.

• HOT DRINK add it to a cup of juice or hot tea, perhaps with a bit of honey. You could also mix it with lemonade or orange juice. Diluting apple cider vinegar is best because undiluted vinegar can erode dental enamel.

• AS A SHOT drink it or take teaspoonfuls throughout the day when you feel a common cold coming on. 

• GARGLE use it as a gargle at the first sign of a scratchy throat.

• MAKING A COUGH SYRUP Mix half and half with honey, makes a good cough remedy. (Don’t feed honey to children less than a year old.)

• SALAD DRESSING Use it in salad dressings, marinades for meat or tofu, and vinegar-based sauces

• COOKING CONDIMENT Drizzle on cooked vegetables, soups and chillis

Final note:

As with any herbal remedy

• consult your healthcare professional before use

• some herbal constituents may interact with prescription medications or negatively affect some health conditions, always check first before you use any natural remedy, herb, spice or plant

• Apple cider vinegar is not recommended for ulcer or acid reflux sufferers

• notes:

• do not use regular table salt for any remedy as it contains other chemicals

I know for sure I feel better, clearer, and healthier taking these herbal remedies

thank you for reading my blog and i hope you enjoy finding inspiration for a better life

Cara Wiseroots CAM & YA SYT yoga teacher

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disclaimer

always visit a doctor / health care practitioner before undertaking diet changes

 the information in this blog is classified as for information only and is only my story and point of view, please do your own research as you are liable for your own safety

Always check contraindications before taking any remedy or herbal supplement or contact a professional

t&c apply