Since it’s flu season and almost everyone I know is sick with a cold, I wanted to share my favorite natural remedies with you guys! I’ve been traveling a ton to different climates, sitting on airplanes with sick passengers, and hanging out with sick friends, and these two magical little items have recently helped me ward off a few colds that I felt coming on in the past several months. And when I say “ward off,” I mean wake up with a full on sore throat, take a few drops of oregano oil in the morning, swallow a few cloves of garlic at night, and by the next morning any sign of a cold is completely gone!
These remedies may sound a bit hippie-ish, but I’ll break them down for you below, and I think you will be believers like me!
Meet oregano oil aka nature’s antibiotic. Oil of oregano is effective at killing bacteria, and can also help the immune system take action against viruses, fungi and parasites.
Warning, this is the strongest, most potent flavored stuff! Don’t let the word “oregano” fool you, because it is way more intense in oil form! I mean, it makes apple cider vinegar taste like apple pie in comparison, but the outcome is so worth it! The first time I put the drops under my tongue, my mouth was burning and I was frantically searching for water to chase it down – BUT, the next morning my sore throat was completely gone. I always have a bottle of this magical little herb in my house at all times, and any time I feel achy or sick I take a few drops and the next day, I feel fantastic and symptom free!
OREGANO OIL //
Where to buy it: Amazon, Whole Foods, Sprouts, and most health food stores
How much is it: $15-$20 per 1 oz. bottle
How to take it: 4 drops underneath your tongue (or as directed on the bottle) 2-3 times daily.
Garlic, not just for cooking! Garlic may be particularly useful in preparation for cold and flu season as it contains compounds capable of killing viruses and bacteria that can cause earaches, colds and influenza!
It’s best to do this remedy at nighttime just before you go to bed. I mean, garlic has quite a strong scent, and you don’t really want to smell like garlic all day! Plus, if you go to bed right after taking the garlic, this remedy will go to work while you are asleep. Start with 3-5 fresh cloves of garlic (jarred, or powdered will not have the same benefits as fresh). Next, chop the garlic into pill sized pieces pieces (you can also dice/mince them but the flavor will be stronger). To maximize the health benefits, you should chop/dice/crush your garlic at room temperature and allow it to sit for about 15 minutes before swallowing – this triggers an enzyme reaction that boosts the healthy compounds in garlic. Finally, swallow the chopped garlic with a glass of water or orange juice (as you would with pills – If you chew the raw garlic, it will burn!). Go to bed, and wake up cold/flu symptom free! Repeat if necessary!
The first time I did this, I was literally gagging on the “pill sized” pieces of chopped garlic. So if you have a really bad gag reflex and are sensitive to strong flavors like me, dice it up, put it on a spoon, and swallow it with some OJ!
GARLIC //
How much to take: 3-5 cloves
How to take it: Chop it, let it sit for 15 minutes, swallow with water or OJ.
When to take it: Right before going to sleep
Next time you feel any little symptom of a cold or flu, definitely give these remedies or at least one of them a try! I literally swear by them! Let me know if these natural remedies work for you!
Health & Happiness
Do you have any natural remedies you use when you are trying to ward off a cold or flu?
jessw31178
January 21, 2015 at 8:17 pm (10 years ago)Oregano oil is my families BFF for many things. Right now it is getting rid of a planters wart on my daughters foot and fighting colds like a champ.
Catherine
January 22, 2015 at 4:07 pm (10 years ago)I love that your family uses oregano oil too! I’ve also heard it’s great for skin/acne too!
Tessa
January 22, 2015 at 1:51 pm (10 years ago)You really shouldn’t put oregano oil in your mouth, or most essential oils. Not pure. It’s better to buy plant gelatin capsules, put in a drop and take them with a meal. Essential oils are very potent stuff and you should really check with a herbalist beforetreating yourself. Putting essential oils on your skin is never a good idea as they can trigger heavy allergic reactions, rashes, etc. Please don’t advise people to just put them in their mouth :\
Catherine
January 22, 2015 at 4:06 pm (10 years ago)Hi Tessa! The back of the bottle instructs “4 drops daily directly under the tongue” so this particular oil is safe to put directly in your mouth 🙂
Estee
August 14, 2017 at 7:49 am (7 years ago)I also prefer putting my oregano oil in a gel cap bc of the strong taste. I use to squirt a who syringe full under my tongue & chase it with water – I don’t think that’s a bad method- I just rather avoid the intense taste.
Shreya
February 11, 2015 at 8:41 pm (10 years ago)Just swallowed a bunch of chopped fresh garlic with some lemon water…I really hope this works!!