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What's your best natural cold remedy?

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By The Goodies

 

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What's your best natural cold remedy? Share it in the comments below and be in to win!

We love how J. Friend and Co's artisan honeys are traceable back to the region and even the beekeeper they came from. We've got the entire range to give away to one lucky winner. There are eight different 160g flavours to try, including Kamahi, White Clover, Manuka and Beechwood.

Comments

Lillian
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 10:54 AM
Sleep! Lots of it. And a bush walk 1 hour daily. 
Fiona
www.kiffin.co.nz
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 10:59 AM
Raw honey, lemon juice & finely grated ginger
and garlic with a dash of cayenne pepper in hot water - yum and it
clears the sinus to !
Vicky Marshall
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:01 AM

Well, apart from the soothing warm lemon & honey drinks (sometimes with a few bits of garlic mixed in - then gulped down quickly when you get to the bottom of the cup haha), I also like to add a few drops of Eucalyptus Oil to my washing, especially when I wash my sheets & pillowcases. I always find the smell helps clear my head when I am completely stuffed up with a cold.

Chris Toki
www.tokihealth.com
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:03 AM
I definitely recommend brewing a tea made of manuka honey, lemons, fresh ginger and garlic, with a good couple of pinches of cayenne pepper thrown in. If your throat is getting sore, peel a clove of garlic, bite it, and hold it in your mouth for several minutes... you may wish to eat some parsley after that though (especially if you have a date!). Chris.
Emma
www.emmamakes.com
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:08 AM
My best cure is boring - don't get sick. Eat veges, sleep often, do things that make you happy and keep warm. If you feel the first signs of a sore throat have a day off to sleep it away. 
neena
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:17 AM
freshly sneezed grapefruit juice and lots of it... honey to sweeten if necessary...
Lesley
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:20 AM
I take home made olive tincture ,honey and lemon drinks and heaps of garlic in my soup .Handy products to have on hand are Stones ginger wine to sip for a tickle or in a hot lemon and honey drink and Healtheries Olive,garlic,echinacea ,vit c tablets.
Miira
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:25 AM
My mum's 'killabugjoyjuice'
fresh lemon juice, honey, fresh garlic, fresh ginger, fresh chillie and boiling water, followed by snorting warm salty water. I HATED it as a kid bt now swear by it!
Coral Davy
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:27 AM
I swear by a steam facial for relieving sinus passages, use the real herb not the oil infusion for best results, I use either Mint, lavender or eucylptus. For relief to sore throats I make a herb gargle of licorice root and marshmellow, sounds awful but its really not and its super effective
Monique
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 11:52 AM
same as above (fresh lemon juice, great honey etc etc) BUT I swear by washing your hands properly ALL the time.
Have tried to teach children about this, major way of catching bugs is on your hands!
Sleep, fresh air, aaahhhh, would love to win that Honey - looks divine. Love to all. Monique :-)
gabrielle
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 12:02 PM
Lemon, honey, hot water, also chicken soup and getting a bit of sun each day (if there is any)
Kim R
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 12:15 PM
We swear by warm water (for kids) or hot water (for us!) mixed with a heaped teaspoon of honey and a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Really seems to help ward off coughs and colds.
Fran
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 12:28 PM
take garlic tabs - haven't had a cold for 4 years now!
Gill
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 12:36 PM
A really hot curry with lots of spices to clear the sinuses and help to sweat it out, washed down with a couple of glasses of red wine to knock you out and help you sleep lots :-)
Anna J
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 12:39 PM
A clove or two of raw garlic followed up with lemon, ginger and manuka honey drinks (maybe some more garlic added for good measure) + vitamin C tabs 3000mg/day. 
Jeanna
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 12:42 PM

Hot apple cider vinegar and honey drink.  Mmm and full of vitamin C!  Add a bit of home made black currant juice for even more vitality :)

tara
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 12:57 PM
My mother used to travel to Hong Kong for business quite a bit and was given the following recipe for clearing up a cold by one of her associates over there. It always seems to work.
Pour one can of cola into a large mug. thinly slice a thumb size piece of ginger and add that to the mug. Cut a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into the mug and add the entire lemon (at this point you might need 2 mugs, I have a huge latte cup that can fit it all). microwave for 1 minute and then drink.
Penny
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 01:20 PM
As soon as I feel the first sign of a cold I take vit C, garlic, echinacea and zinc then in the evening have a nice long, hot bath and an early night. If that doesn't deal to it - and it usually does - I try snorting lemon juice and drinking hot lemon, ginger and honey.
Kerry
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 01:20 PM
Lemon and Honey Drinks
We all love them in our house
Jane
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 01:25 PM
Colloidal silver in a spray bottle as an antibacterial throat spray. Plus lots of fluids and honey and lemon drinks, as hot as you can bear them. 

Marcia
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 01:33 PM
My beautiful bee`s raw honey, loads of it, juice of at least 4 of my lemons, 1 whole clove of homegrown garlic either massed up or sliced thinly, all mixed in boiling water - if it doesn`t kill ya it will knock a cold clean out over night !
Angela
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 02:07 PM
Lots of vitamin C (Fresh oranges and orange juice), a garlic viatmin supplement, and my fav a hot lemon and honey drink. Cuddling up on the couch watching trashy daytime soaps and talk shows may or may not help too :-)
Catherine Hewson
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 02:15 PM
Take four tablespoons of lemon juice and 12 tablespoons of of honey and add to six tablespoons of olive oil, heat for 5 minutes then stir for another 3 minutes. Cool, then take a teaspoon every 2 hours for a maximum of 48 hours.

For a sore throat mix 1 teaspoon of dried ginger, juice of half a lemon and a teaspoon of honey, then add a cup of boiling water. Wait for it to cool down and gargle it for 30 seconds.
Tanya Major
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 03:56 PM
In a saucepan bring to the boil 2 x cup water, 1 x sliced lemon, 1/4 cup honey, 5 x whole cardamom seeds, 4 x slices ginger.  Simmer 10min. Strain into a mug. Sit. Relax. Enjoy.
Possum Combes
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 04:01 PM
I advise anyone who has a cold etc to stay off mucous producing foods while sick... ie dairy, wheat & sugar!! Take elderberry syrup/capsules, vitamin C, lemon & honey drinks, & zinc, as well as garlic & drink plenty of clear fluids, especially water... Also get plenty of fresh air, walks & sleep!!
Jo
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 04:21 PM
On the first sign of a cold I take a 1,000 mg vitamin C tablet every 3 hours - plus for dinner that night I would have something that I can load HEAPS of garlic into like pasta and pasta sauce. Usually the signs of a cold will be gone by the next morning :)
Alice
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 04:35 PM
My Mum. 
Xavia
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 05:01 PM
We make a ":sick drink" with olive leaves, lemon and honey in boiling water, then add calcium ascorbate (non acidic vitty c) powder hwne it cools down a bit. Drink heaps of it. Some times we add mandarin or orange juice for the kids to make it less tart. Spray colloidal silver in your mouth and a peeled clove of garlic your cheek over night for a sore throat. Half a cut onion next to your bed at night will do wonders for a cough.
Naomi Smith
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 07:02 PM
Echinacea always works 
Marise
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 07:58 PM
For a littlies cough this works a treat - Steam Vaporiser turned on when the kids are in the bath so the room is really steamy is fantastic for coughs.  Followed up by Badger Chest Rub Balm (organic and seriously cool) and lastly that wonderful teaspoon of manuka honey before bed.  The kids coughs settle enough so they can fall asleep.
Marise
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 07:59 PM
For a littlies cough this works a treat - Steam Vaporiser turned on when the kids are in the bath so the room is really steamy is fantastic for coughs.  Followed up by Badger Chest Rub Balm (organic and seriously cool) and lastly that wonderful teaspoon of manuka honey before bed.  The kids coughs settle enough so they can fall asleep.
Rachel
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 09:48 PM
Ginger tea (made with fresh ginger) with honey. And homemade mac and cheese :)
AK Grant
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 10:16 PM
Hahaha neena - 'freshly sneezed grapefruit juice'!

When you get one of those nasty coughs that make you cough and cough until you can barely breathe - get a teaspoon of honey and slowly lick it. Take your time about it because as long as you're licking it, you'll hardly cough at all. It seems to relieve the tickle in your chest/throat.
Stepanka
 
Mon June 27, 2011 @ 10:51 PM
daily doze of apple cider vinegar. Also the usual lemon & honey drink which I have every day.
Suzi
 
Tue June 28, 2011 @ 07:03 AM
take honey, added fine grated ginger and gently heat until turns a light golden..  keep in the fridge and sip off a spoon as required.  great for sore throats and keeping winter ills at bay
zerka
 
Tue June 28, 2011 @ 08:13 AM
Sage tea from red sage bush in garden (sweetened with honey) is great for sore throats. High dose vit c drinks (1000g plus) several times a day at first sign of cold also helps.
Sarah
 
Tue June 28, 2011 @ 10:22 AM
Totally in support of the hot lemon honey ginger thing, but also ginger wine which will also aid sleep.
Sore throat, not so organic suggestion is a small glass of coke first thing when you notice it and a couple more over next days and you should see it off real quick.
For chests... olive leaf extract all the way!
Suzy Atkin
 
Tue June 28, 2011 @ 12:10 PM
I swear by a big bowl of fresh seasonal fruit salad (esp. kiwifruit and oranges for the vitamin c content) with a big dollop of probiotic yoghurt and sprinkle it with LSA (Linseed, Sunflower and Almonds, available from health food shops) and a teaspoon of UMF Manuka honey.
Oliver Harris
 
Tue June 28, 2011 @ 03:39 PM
Dark green vegetables! Broccoli, kale, spinach, chard - full of goodness.
Heather Kary
 
Tue June 28, 2011 @ 05:59 PM
I go for a "g rated" Hot Toddy - 3/4cup black tea, juice of a lemon, pinch of cinnemon & sweetened with Manuka honey
Amy
 
Tue June 28, 2011 @ 07:22 PM
I've got a few tried and true cold cures:

1. Take a high does Vitamin D supplement and never get sick!
2. Hot water, organic manuka honey, organic lemon juice and ginger.
3. Green juices until you explode: apple, pear, ginger, lemon and greens (e.g spinach, kale, silverbeet).
4. This soup recipe, teasingly called 'Healing Broth' in our house:

Healing Broth (adapted from James Wong's recipe)




2 litres homemade chicken stock

1 organic chicken thigh, sliced

2 onions, thinly sliced

Mushrooms- as many as you like!

3cm fresh ginger, skin removed, thinly sliced

10 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 large red chilli, seeds removed, finely chopped

2 Tbsp goji berries, soaked in hot water

1/2 packet dried soba noodles

Extra garlic and ginger to serve



Place stock, chicken, onions, mushroom, ginger, garlic and chilli in a
large pot. Simmer on low for at least an hour. Add drained goji berries
and noodles and continue to cook until noodles are al dente. To serve,
finely chop 1cm ginger and 2 garlic cloves per bowl, and ladle hot soup
over. Garnish with parsley and enjoy! Best served with homemade
sourdough and cultured butter.
Isabelle
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 01:34 AM

Kiwifruit, Healtheries Be Well Tea, & Weleda Chest Rub.

Michelle Cooper-Loomans
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 07:53 AM
Clinicans Hi-Dose vitamin C and lemon & honey drinks plus lots of rest
spinyone
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 10:03 AM
honey, lemon juice, grated fresh ginger, organic turmeric, boiling water and a teaspoon. delish!
vix
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 10:13 AM
Any hint of a sniffle or sore throat either in yourself or anyone in your household or work, we eat a chopped up clove of raw garlic, a shot of homemade rosehip syrup and a hot mug of homemade elderberry syrup (diluted!) with lemon juice, ginger and honey! 
Sarah
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 10:17 AM
Prevention is the best cure!  We eat at least 3 cloves of garlic each, daily, cooked well and with spices to remove the smell.  Washing hands regularly in cold season!  As for cure, we just eat loads of honey, (bush kind) and eat tangelos.
Donna North
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 11:31 AM
Strictly speaking this is my mother's remedy but she freely shares it around the family, as you'll see from the recipe she's a very generous lady. 
Put a generous tablespoon of honey in a large jug, add the juice of a large lemon and about a litre boiling water then add an extremely generous couple of measures of whisky and let it cool slightly. Sip a glassful before bed or through the day if you've decided to take the day off and mope - definitely not to be taken before work or driving. 
Dannielle
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 11:38 AM
Abount once a week, pop a peeled raw clove of garlic in your cheek and suck on it for a few hours - it might not get you kissed buit it will keep you in great health!
carolyn hopkins
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 11:40 AM
Crush up a clove of garlic and swallow it and follow it up with a very strong lemon drink made with the juice of 2 lemons and a spoonful of honey
LINDA
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 02:13 PM
 1 tablespoon luke warm honey/ manuka is good for its natural healing, health properties with 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder daily for 3 days. Cures most coughs, cold and clears the

sinuses
Chloe Pinel
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 09:43 PM
Honey and crushed garlic on thick grainy vitawheat crackers! 
Kate
 
Wed June 29, 2011 @ 09:50 PM
I start the day with homemade bircher muesli containing a daily spoon of honey and a sprinkling of cinnamon, along with fresh lemon zest and juice (cold as heating apparently negates the Vitamin C injection!)  Throw in some sliced kiwifruit and you have the best remedy against the common cold!
Katherine
 
Thu June 30, 2011 @ 12:20 PM

tincture of echinacea sweetended with manuka honey and soured with lemon, and/or and 'overdosage' of vitamin C (especially a blend containing echinacea!)

Jeanne-Marie Schumann
 
Thu June 30, 2011 @ 12:58 PM
Not quite as home made but it is natural. I really think the Healtheries garlic, vitamin C, zinc and echinacea tabs are  fantastic. When I feel the smallest niggle of a cold I take one per day and if symptoms get worse up to 3 per day to fight it off. Didn't get a bad cold for 3 years!! Not a miracle cure of course as I got a cold this winter. 
Carolyne
 
Thu June 30, 2011 @ 04:38 PM
A big hug, a big, cuddly blanket, a comfy sofa, a bowl of homemade chicken and vege broth, a log fire and a sloppy dvd. And of course honey and lemon before going to sleep. All exceptionally good even without a cold!
Natalie
 
Thu June 30, 2011 @ 07:26 PM
Lemon, manuka honey with grated fresh ginger and 1/2 tsp of tumeric mixed with hot water - works a treat :o)
Anthea
www.ecofabric.co.nz
 
Thu June 30, 2011 @ 07:55 PM
Remedy: Simmer for fifteen minutes in 500ml water, a slice of lemon, a 1tsp cinnamon or cinnamon sticks, a 1 tsp coriander seeds, an 1 inch grated ginger, and 1 slice lemon. Drink it and the cinnamon will wipe out the bugs!
Sophiemarie
 
Thu June 30, 2011 @ 08:15 PM
best natural cold remedy is a hot apple cider drink, 2 tablespoons apple cider and 1 tablespoon honey. mmm yummy and full of goodness! :) Real good for strengthening your immune system.     
Linda Miles
 
Thu June 30, 2011 @ 08:56 PM
My prevention/cure is very different.   As the days get colder I wear 2 hats nearly all the time -even and specially at night -most especially if you feel any sort of coldy symptoms.  As the winter progresses and you get used to the cold temperatures you can take off your hat(s)..
If I have any feelings of congestion in my chest or the beginnings of a cough I put on layers of woolen tops, tuck a wheat bag up my jerseys and go to bed to sweat it out. My chest always clears!
Keren
 
Fri July 01, 2011 @ 08:50 AM
I can't go past the simple old remedy of a cup of squeezed lemon in hot water.  Always keeps the winter bugs away.
Keith & Pauline
 
Fri July 01, 2011 @ 11:26 AM
Our first plan of action is to try to get our bodies more alkaline which makes them less attractive to viruses!!  We usually do this by taking organic apple cider vinegar, up to 1 tbsp in water sipped with each meal or with honey and hot water. Gargling with cider vinegar, 1 tsp with 1 tsp water works well for sore throats. Then we increase the amount of honey (especially manuka honey) and garlic in our daily food and up our water intake. This usually works very well for us :-)
Michelle
 
Fri July 01, 2011 @ 12:37 PM
I eat lots of garlic, even useing it in a steam and nasal spray.
diann
 
Fri July 01, 2011 @ 01:32 PM
when you first feel the cold as a tickle in your throat or beginning in the chest- before going to bed try a poultice of crushed garlic and coconut oil, rub over chest or throat or both -cover (I use a tea towel) and then put on a fitting top and sleep soundly- works well
Janette
 
Fri July 01, 2011 @ 01:39 PM
Prevention is the best remedy.  I used to get constant  colds each winter, until I was told to take echinacea.
I agree with those who mentioned Echinacea, zinc, vitamin C and odourlous Garlic, made by Healtheries. If I feel the sniffles coming on, I take two a day for a week. And then one every one or two days over winter.  The only time I get a cold now is when I haven't been taking the tablets. It has been working for about 8 years now!
yanna
 
Fri July 01, 2011 @ 02:29 PM
When you get a sore throat, immediately gargle with teatree oil in warm water (4 drops in about 50 ml of water)  and take 500mg vit C every hour. Most of the time you won't develope a cold. If you still do, keep taking vit C until your symptoms fade, gradually reduce to 3 a day and stop when better.
i also am a great fan of honey, ginger in hot water, or herbal tea. Ad a shot of whiskey or brandy when you are really poorly. Plenty water and lots of rest.

Harry
 
Fri July 01, 2011 @ 05:05 PM
Garlic! and lots of it. Either really strong garlic butter on toast (more garlic than butter), or add it into the lemon, ginger, honey and cayenne drink.
Pamela
 
Sat July 02, 2011 @ 01:32 PM
Peace of mind! Especially having Botanicals Dispensary nearby in Wellington.  Karen (herbalist) whips up some kick-ass potions that have never let me down.  I get in quick at the slighest hint of a tickle, sniff or cough and it works despite being hard hit by some bronchial nasties in my time. 
Linda
 
Sat July 02, 2011 @ 02:26 PM
Rum & Green Ginger ! :)
Ron Newton
www.nzorgman.co.nz
 
Sat July 02, 2011 @ 04:12 PM
Into a large mug squeeze the juice of one lemon, add a tablespoon of white or cider vinegar, a clove or two of crushed garlic, a few ground cardamom seed pods, a teaspoon of natural honey, and for the daring a dash of whiskey.  Add boiling water and breathe the steam through the nose until at drinking temperature.  For really congested passages, dissolve a large teaspoon of Rawleighs medicated ointment in a bowl of boiled water and breathe in with a towel over your head.
Ruby
 
Sun July 03, 2011 @ 10:29 AM
Vitamin C chewables with echinacea; zinc; hot drinks with lemon, manuka honey and ginger. Keep very warm - wear a scarf and woolly hat; get plenty of sleep; drink a lot of water. Eucalyptus or chamomile inhalations for congestion; weleda chest rub; a hot water bottle on the chest at night if chesty.
Martha
 
Sun July 03, 2011 @ 01:05 PM
the best cure is to drink a cup of warm milk with a tea spoon of honey and 3, 4 crushed cloves of garlic just before going to sleep.
Rebekah
 
Sun July 03, 2011 @ 06:36 PM
I still swear by hot lemon and honey drinks.  A friend of mine phoned the other day and couldnt talk her throat was so bad, a few minutes after my lemon honey drink she was lots better!  Manuka or Royal Jelly Honey (I use Manuka Health) and Home grown lemons have less toxins if your like me and dont use any sprays etc!
Linda
 
Sun July 03, 2011 @ 07:45 PM
juice 1/2 lemon, 1 tsp honey, hot water in a cup. A duvet, a sofa and 'The Breakfast Club' on DVD.
Rhea
 
Mon July 04, 2011 @ 05:11 PM
I make up a big soup with lots of garlic, ginger, chicken stock, onions, broccoli, pumpkin, potato and whatever else I have lying around - packed with vege goodness!  If you add a good amount of chilli too to the soup, it's really good and warming for a sore throat.
Sarah
 
Mon July 04, 2011 @ 07:56 PM

slice an onion and cover the bottom of a glass dish, drizzle runny honey over onion and cover. Let sit over night and take a teaspoon of liquid ever hour of so - it's surprisingly yummy!!

Sandy Butler
 
Mon July 04, 2011 @ 08:01 PM
when ever any of my family is suffering with a cold or flu they order a bowl of my famous fusion broth, packed full of ginger, chilli and garlic. Great for making you feel better.
Fe Parish
www.threebearsfood.com
 
Mon July 04, 2011 @ 10:17 PM
!! HONEY - OF COURSE !!

We use J.Friend & Co's delicious Beechwood Honey to make up cookie mixes and muesli slice. At some stage we must have told our 3 year old it was also good for coughs and colds, as during a recent night of coughing she told us she needed some honey. It worked a treat!
Ann-Marie
 
Tue July 05, 2011 @ 09:24 AM
I soak blackberries in homemade apple cider vinegar for a week of two then strain. I mix this with honey and hot water every morning to get a daily dose of vitamin C. It's yummy!
Natalie
 
Tue July 05, 2011 @ 10:53 AM
I sneak a few drops of liquid echinacea into my sons drink bottle every morning.  Easy.
Sharon Lowdon
 
Tue July 05, 2011 @ 04:28 PM
Lots of Sleep, keeping warm and just plain squeezed lemon juice, grated ginger , hot water and manuka honey (from NZ) of course, and if feeling up to it some homemade from scratch chicken soup.Honey is really good for a cough too!
Michele Morgan
 
Tue July 05, 2011 @ 10:14 PM
equal parts honey and cider vinegar taken by the teaspoonful
Min
 
Wed July 06, 2011 @ 04:09 PM
Wear a woolly hat to bed, especially if prone to sinus problems with colds. Not very sexy but it works.
Ros
 
Wed July 06, 2011 @ 04:29 PM
Simply juice of a lemon, a large teaspoon of honey and hot water.  Take this 3 times a day.  It works a treat.
Adriana
 
Wed July 06, 2011 @ 07:04 PM
As a kid I remember grandma giving me a drink to help me sleep, ease the sore throat, and help fight the bacteria. It includes... warm glass of milk (for sleep), with a clove or 2 of crushed garlic (help fight bacteria), honey (ease the sore throat), and a teaspoon of butter (energy intake as little food is consumed when you are sick). AS weird as this might sound, it is actually quite tasty :)
Lesley Rea
 
Thu July 07, 2011 @ 02:55 PM
Echinacea root - it helps relieve symptoms and shortens infection time
Rob
 
Thu July 07, 2011 @ 03:10 PM
sliced onions with brown sugar sprinkled on top.  leave for a few hours and have 1 tsp of the resulting juice when needed for coughs
Odette
 
Fri July 08, 2011 @ 03:01 PM
For the sore throat stage I put a whole brown onion (with the skin on) in a small saucepan and cover with water. Simmer for an hourm throw out the onion and sip the water. You might smell disgusting but it works quickly and seems to nip the cold in the bud.
Leanne Pelabon
 
Fri July 08, 2011 @ 04:51 PM
Elderflowers!  Is the secret ingredient in the beat-the-common-cold hot tea remedy.   I put 2 heaped teaspoons of dried elderflowers, with some chamomile and dandelion flowers, strain and add some honey.

Also Onions!  Cut an onion in half and place next to your bedside table overnight.  The magical properties of the onion removes all the bacteria, and I've woken up free of the cold or virus I went to sleep with the night before. Not the most romantic thing for the bedroom, but neither is sneezing and wheezing.
Eve
 
Sun July 10, 2011 @ 04:45 PM
Warm woollen socks, and a silk scarf with a few drops of eucalyptus oil on it. Lots of hot drinks and a long hot soak in the bath!
Gretchen
 
Sun July 10, 2011 @ 10:18 PM
lots of kiwifruit, green tea and sleep!
Teresa Garnett
 
Mon July 11, 2011 @ 12:50 PM
Fresh squeezed Lemon with honey and hot water, lots of garlic and lots of sleep
MAXINE
 
Tue July 12, 2011 @ 07:07 PM
HONEY AND LEMON and vit C yummy:)
Polly Archer
 
Wed July 13, 2011 @ 12:12 PM
Thyme honey: place honey and fresh or dried thyme in a saucepan and warm gently for 15-20 minutes. Store in a clean glass jar and take 1-2tsp a day directly off the spoon or in hot tea.

Fresh thyme works best for this, as it's easy to fish out whole sprigs but much harder to remove all the tiny little dried leaves.

A salt-water nasal spray twice a day seems to help with cold prevention, and I'm keen to give the ginger wine a go next time I'm feeling under the weather.
Carly
 
Wed July 13, 2011 @ 01:42 PM
It's mind over matter. If you're run down and your mental state starts to fuzz then getting a cold is your body's way of telling you to chill out, nourish your body and love yourself! If anything take responsibility for that and don't blame others for giving you their germs. It just perpetuates the victim mentality. Kiaora!
Virginia
 
Wed July 13, 2011 @ 05:50 PM
Lots of garlic, both tablets and fresh in food. Extra Vit C, and my Father used to swear by eating a raw onion. Personally I think that the smell of the onion put people off getting close enough to pass on a cold, but he never had them!
Margaret
 
Wed July 13, 2011 @ 06:59 PM
Love a hot lemon and honey drink when I get a cold and snuggling in bed with a hot water bottle.
Colleen
 
Wed July 13, 2011 @ 09:09 PM
A tea made with grated ginger; honey; 3 slices of lemon; squeeze of lemon juice,  garlic and a dash of brandy, mix with boiling water and sip away. I usually omit the brandy as dont drink and i think this concoction every 3 hours kept my cold at bay.  I liked the taste of it so happy to sit on it and drink like cuppa herbal tea,  but if not let cool a bit and just skull it :)
Claire
 
Thu July 14, 2011 @ 08:58 PM

Steam - Hot shower/bath/water in a bowl to inhale...clears those sinuses right up :)

Chris
 
Thu July 14, 2011 @ 09:00 PM
Sleep. Minimize stress. Indulge yourself with yummy soothing hot lemon, honey and rum toddies!
karen
 
Thu July 14, 2011 @ 09:49 PM
honey in lemon and ginger herbal tea
Michelle
 
Thu July 14, 2011 @ 10:33 PM

When we have a cold, my kids and I love a hot lemon and honey tea made how my nana made it for me.

In a mug put a normal (black Tea) tea bag, a large teaspoon of honey, a slice of lemon and the juice of half a lemon.  Pour boiling water over all the goodies and leave for 3 minutes.  Remove tea bag.  Yum!!!!

bren
 
Sun July 17, 2011 @ 12:24 AM

a fresh sqeezed lemon in a cup of hot water.

Prevention id better than cure

Rebecca
 
Sun July 17, 2011 @ 08:41 AM
Lemon, honey and ginger drinks are good but I most of all love hot blackcurrant and honey drinks. Very soothing for the throat.
Tracey Adamson
traceyadamson.wordpress.com
 
Sun July 17, 2011 @ 12:07 PM
A spoonful of manuku honey, Vit C packed fruits (oranges and kiwifruit) and an afternoon nap 
michelle
 
Sun July 17, 2011 @ 01:19 PM

BOILING WATER - COOLED! HONEY, SUGAR, 2 MANDERINS, 2 ORANGES AND 2 LEMONS SQUEEZED, WITH A LITTLE LIQUID PARACETAMOL. THE KIDS LOVE IT!

Sheryel
 
Mon July 18, 2011 @ 05:42 PM
Chicken broth with lots of garlic parsley and lemon juice added will certainly knock back your cold.  Works in our house. 
Rach
 
Mon July 18, 2011 @ 06:41 PM
sipping lemon, honey, ginger root & cider vinegar seeped in hot water
Gemma C
 
Mon July 18, 2011 @ 08:45 PM
A really hot curry filled with plenty of fresh veggies! Clears the sinuses out while providing plenty of nutrients!
Jeanettte
 
Mon July 18, 2011 @ 08:55 PM

A good dose of winter sun on your skin with regular drinks of warm water, apple cider vinegar and honey. 

Helena Round
 
Tue July 19, 2011 @ 02:11 PM
Pick some fresh Sage leaves, steep for a few minutes in hot water (as if making tea), then take small sips and gargle to soothe and help cure sore throats. 
Ann Mack
 
Wed July 20, 2011 @ 11:27 AM
Add boiling water to green ginger wine and sip. Soothing as it goes down. My Dad always swore by rum and green ginger neat.
Jo B
 
Wed July 20, 2011 @ 03:44 PM
Well if you are referring to the MAN FLU, I find the best way to keep my man healthy and non-grumpy is to cook him loads of healthy meals and give him plenty of cuddles on those cold winter nights. After all, if they are well, it makes our life A WHOLE LOT easier!
Kate
 
Thu July 21, 2011 @ 10:12 AM
Sleep, relaxation, honey in my tea and a positive attitude!
rebecca
 
Thu July 21, 2011 @ 09:20 PM
I'm another that swears by a homebrewed tea - mixed of garlic, ginger, manuka honey, lemon juice and a pinch of cayenne pepper (whatever quantities you want of the other ingredients), let steep for 5 minutes and drink.
Anne Nye
 
Sat July 23, 2011 @ 10:02 AM
Dont wait for the onset of winter to build up your immune system. Take vitamin C tablets and have a good healthy diet. Stay away from people if they have the flu and ensure your work place also has a policy on if you are sick to stay home. To many try to keep going only to infect others. A rum and honey drink goes down a treat to soothe a sore throat and keep the bugs at bay. And remember not to sweat a cold thats the worst you could do.
Kiran Keshvara
 
Sat July 23, 2011 @ 11:17 AM

Something my grandma taught me, and is a long thought indian remedy, is to boil a cup of milk, and then stir in 1 table spoon of tumeric powder. The more tumeric you can handle, the better. I always thought it to be just another "remedy" but it actually is a miracle, and works a charm :)

Kasia
 
Sun July 24, 2011 @ 10:07 PM
indicated homeopathic remedy
Aroha
 
Tue July 26, 2011 @ 12:49 PM
Kawakawa, sage, mint and manuka honey as a tea - works a treat!
AT
 
Tue July 26, 2011 @ 05:38 PM
a simple warm drink honey and lemon with lemon balm leaves. Twice a day.

Also green curry soup with butter beans, wholesome & healthy
Sandy Hickmott
 
Tue July 26, 2011 @ 08:34 PM
Make a dahl soup of red lentils, tumeric, cumin, coriander, garlic, onions, tomatoes, grated carrot & potato and ENJOY.
Jelliflower
www.jelliflower.com
 
Wed July 27, 2011 @ 12:44 PM
I use a remedy that is commonly used in the Hong Kong region. Hot Cocacola; boil some original coke with a couple of slice of ginger, pour into a cup, then add in a dash of freshly squeezed lemon juice. This method not only helps get rid of fever, also nose congestion, and even has slight effect on muscle tension relief.
Vicki Olsen
 
Wed July 27, 2011 @ 02:55 PM
Hot chicken soup (free-range of course!), incorporating lots of fresh greens, onions and garlic.  Wrap up warm and get lots of rest.  Drink herb teas with soothing honey added.
Taraire Grove
www.tarairegrove.com
 
Thu July 28, 2011 @ 08:49 PM
The old russian cure - sliced garlic cloves in the bottom of your socks and straight to bed, chases most things away...sometimes too many things...
Evelyn
 
Thu July 28, 2011 @ 10:13 PM
Break up with any boyfriends who aren't treating you like royalty (and are therefore lowering your immunity through unrecognised sadness). Oh and what Emma said way up the top!
Belinda
 
Thu July 28, 2011 @ 10:38 PM
For the family when they start to catch a cold or have flu symptoms, I get them to take one teaspoon of Manuka Honey three times a day.  It soothes the throat and boosts the immune system.   
ck smith
 
Thu July 28, 2011 @ 10:54 PM
teaspoon manuka honey, lemon juice, grated fresh ginger, finely chopped garlic, organic turmeric, boiling water 
use straight away .. always make this fresh and can add some brandy or whisky or rum if u like
Natalie
 
Thu July 28, 2011 @ 11:12 PM
Apparently extra virgin raw coconut oil has amazing antiviral properties - and tastes fantastic when mixed with a bit of honey and organic cocoa powder, then put in fridge to solidify. Cut into small bars... mmmh! 
Sarah
www.maidbyme.co.nz
 
Fri July 29, 2011 @ 07:52 AM
Two kiwifruits and three mandarins per day gives loads of vitamin C to help get through those nasty colds. When I am really blocked I cover my head with a towel and put it over under a bowel of warm water and Vicks...works a trick to help breathe again. When the kids are blocked I encourage them to do upside down games to help move congestion out of their sinus...wheel barrow races are great! 
J Bargh
 
Fri July 29, 2011 @ 08:11 AM
Ginger fresh squeezed lemon juice, liquid honey and hot water (of course relaxation and a good book and tissues)
Jo Cameron
 
Fri July 29, 2011 @ 02:30 PM
We swear by Apple Cider Vinegar drinks with manuka honey, and sometimes
lemon juice added in for extra punch. The more often you drink them, the
stronger you can handle the vinegar! (The more the better).

We have managed to get our kids (aged 2 - 8 years) to drink ACV drinks too, but diluting them with apple juice.
Isabella Harrex
www.isabellaharrex.wordpress.com
 
Fri July 29, 2011 @ 10:58 PM
Lots of Oranges! And Peppermint tea to make you feel like you're pepped up and awake!
Maz
 
Mon August 01, 2011 @ 04:49 PM
As my mummy taught me - hot lemon, honey and ginger drink. The flat lemonade also works a treat!
Sharon
 
Mon August 01, 2011 @ 05:32 PM
Propolis elixir (comvita), honey and lemon, add to hot water and sip.  Works a treat!
Kerry
 
Mon August 01, 2011 @ 07:54 PM
My best one is homemade lemon, honey, ginger and garlic in hot water - I make a concentrate of the first three, warm them together in a glass jar to set it, then keep the jar in the fridge and spoon out into a cup whenever I need a drink. Really good when your nose is doing an imitation of the niagara falls & you need rehydration!

There's a few herbal remedies I like as well, that help get symptoms over with quicker - echinacea & thuja drops from Weleda, herbal teas from Artemis - liver cleanse is great after you've recovered to wash toxins out - and just sleeeep! Not going out to work or socialise when you're sick is good to stop the spread of viruses around your social group, too.
jay
 
Wed August 03, 2011 @ 01:42 PM
vege soup
Annette
 
Fri August 05, 2011 @ 01:14 PM
Drink lots of water and rest!
Sarah
 
Tue August 09, 2011 @ 05:04 PM
Lemon and honey mixed with hot water...snuggled up in bed with a hot water bootle and a good mag!
Stu
 
Tue August 09, 2011 @ 05:38 PM
juice of one lemon, teaspoon of honey, boiling water, and a shot of whiskey...
Biz
 
Tue August 09, 2011 @ 07:35 PM
Hot lemon, honey and garlic toddy ... delicious and warming
Claire
 
Tue August 09, 2011 @ 07:38 PM
A spoonful of sugar with two or three tiny drops of eucalyptus on that - works wonders
JULIE
 
Tue August 09, 2011 @ 10:08 PM

OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT it is anti- bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic and anti-vital. Keep some on hand. Works everytime!!

Siobhan
 
Thu August 11, 2011 @ 07:40 PM
Definitely warm lemon and honey drinks! My family lives on these during winter. Just the juice of a lemon or two, a spoonful of honey and hot water :)
Bethany Jones
 
Sat August 13, 2011 @ 07:08 PM
If you are really congested, take a spoon full of hot sauce(preferably Kaitaia Fire) before going to bed.  It is amazing how is clears up the sinuses!
Sarah Newton
 
Thu August 18, 2011 @ 11:13 AM
I can't take most 'conventional' cold medications, and with three preschool boys to love & look after I thoroughly recommend the following:
Artemis Immunoboost tea, with lemon juice and manuka honey
Elderflower tincture
Kiwiherb Destuff— if your nose is blocked
Kiwiherb Chesty Cough— if your colds tend to head south to your chest like mine do
Weleda lip balm
as much sleep as you are able :-)

They all work brilliantly for the kids too!
Liz
 
Fri August 19, 2011 @ 10:15 AM
We all have different 'swear by' remedies for easing the ugly symptoms of a cold. Mine are:
i) Do NOT go in to work. You'll feel worse and your colleagues will hate you for snuffling next to them.
ii) Every few hours drink hot water with half a squeezed lemon and honey to sweeten.
iii) When the stuffy nose gets too much, fill the basin with hot water and add a few drops of eucalytpus and breathe in with a towel over your head (gives you a good facial too!)
iv) Watch comedy on tv

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