The flu and cold season has been in full swing for a while now, and I’d like to share with you some of my personal, time-tested home remedies that have helped me and my family stay healthy or recover faster when sickness strikes. These simple, natural treatments might not replace a doctor when needed, but they’ve certainly earned their place in my home.
Let’s start with a remedy that has been passed down in my family for generations. Take 0.5 liters of water and dissolve 1 tablespoon of salt into it. Then add 40 to 50 grams of 10% ammonia (ammonium hydroxide). In a separate container, mix another 0.5 liters of water with 10 grams of camphor spirit. Once both liquids are ready, combine them and shake the mixture thoroughly until the white flakes that form dissolve completely.
This mixture can be used for both external and internal treatment. For external use, rub it gently on the back and chest – it works well to ease respiratory discomfort. Internally, it can be taken in very small, diluted doses: for infants under one year old, give just one drop diluted in a tablespoon of water. For children over one year, add as many drops as the child’s age to a full glass of water. For adults, one teaspoon of the mixture diluted in a glass of water is the typical dose.
Here’s another favorite: when flu symptoms start, take one tablespoon of finely chopped raspberry twigs, pour one cup of boiling water over them, boil for 10 minutes, then let the mixture sit for an hour and a half. Drink one cup three times a day. Raspberries are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and are excellent for reducing fever naturally.
If you’re dealing with a sore throat, try this simple mixture: grate an equal amount of fresh apple and onion, then mix with the same amount of honey. Take two to three teaspoons a day, two to three times daily. It might sound unusual, but this combination is incredibly soothing for inflamed throats.
When fever strikes, a natural way to cool down is with a compress made from grated apple. Grate the apple finely, spread a thin layer on a piece of gauze, and place it on the forehead. It’s refreshing and can help bring down body temperature.
Not many people know this, but alcohol – especially rubbing alcohol – is a fantastic remedy for high fever. Use it to wipe down the back and chest of the person who is sick. Just make sure not to cover them with a blanket immediately afterward. Alcohol evaporates quickly, cooling the body and reducing fever.
For general immune support and to ease symptoms, you can also prepare a homemade blend using two tablespoons of heavy cream butter, two egg yolks, one teaspoon of wheat flour, and two teaspoons of natural honey. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and take one teaspoon of this mixture several times a day.
Now, if your cough is producing mucus, but you’re having trouble expelling it, try this herbal infusion. Combine equal parts (about a pinch each) of anise, cinnamon, and thyme. Pour one cup of boiling water over the mix, cover, and let it steep until it cools. Drink slowly, and you’ll notice an improvement in mucus clearance.
Another effective remedy for wet cough is a warm beverage made from three-quarters of a cup of hot milk mixed with one-quarter of a cup of Borjomi (a Georgian mineral water). Drink it slowly in small sips – it soothes the throat and helps loosen mucus.
Don’t forget about the power of healing herbs with anti-inflammatory and expectorant properties. Coltsfoot, plantain, chamomile, and roots of marshmallow or licorice can be brewed into teas or used in steam inhalation for extra relief.
During bronchitis or pneumonia, it’s especially important to enrich the diet with dairy products. They’re high in calcium, which is very beneficial for inflamed airways, and they also contain specific types of fats that are easily absorbed and support recovery.
These remedies are gentle, natural, and often surprisingly effective. While they should never replace professional medical advice when needed, they can be valuable allies in fighting off seasonal illnesses and boosting overall well-being.
