Natural Sampler has a real knack for using natural products to work with the body to help get through dumb stuff; like stress, headaches, heartburn, and even a cold or flu. Heck, we’ve learned to laugh at it because well, it’s better than being mad or crying. It’s flu season, and even though we can get a cold or flu anytime, this is a great time to explore what others do to help get through the misery – bubble we feel we are stuck in when we are sick
For fun, we asked team members to share some of their tips and tricks on how to life hack the cold and flu. Quick Disclosure: These life hacks, tips, and tricks are in no way to be taken as medical advice. We are simply sharing what others say they do for themselves when facing a cold or flu. Please always consult your doctor for medical advice. Okay, here we go!:
- Sleep With a Mist Diffuser Close – “When I even think I feel like I’m getting the sniffles or a sore throat, my diffuser gets moved from my dresser to my nightstand. That way when I’m sleeping, I’m breathing in essential oils that help me get through it… It gives me peace of mind.” A.D.
- Elderberry – “The second I feel something come on, I take elderberry… It doesn’t matter if it’s syrup or whole berries. If I catch it on time, I’m fine after I’ve gone to bed and wake up feeling great. If I wait too long and I start feeling crappy, it still shortens and eases the symptoms for sure. I keep taking it for a 1-3 days afterwards, just to make sure. It really does work for me.” S.L.
- Colloidal Silver – “I can’t live without colloidal silver. It’s in my travel bag and in my medicine cabinet. I know we hear about people turning silver, which I believe is extremely rare, and it’s when people take lots, like gallons, so their body can’t remove it fast enough. But boy, it works. I drop a few drops in my nose and the rest of the serving by mouth. I put it in my nose, then squeeze my nostrils to make sure it’s not just going all the way down my nose, but I want it spread around my nostrils so that if there’s any pathogens in there, I feel like it’s stopping them. This stuff is awesome.” D.D.
- Wet Sock Treatment – “If you never heard of the cold wet socks, you’re missing out. You take a hot bath or shower for at least 10 minutes. Then you have icy cold wet socks waiting for you. You have to put them on immediately, while you’re still hot from the shower. Put on your pajamas with another pair bedside in case you get cold. This apparently boosts your immune system… I believe it does something because I prevent oncoming sickness and get over colds fast ever since I’ve been doing that.” S.M.
- Lots of Tea… Conveniently – “Electric tea kettle! I can’t live without mine and when I am not feeling well, it goes on my nightstand so I can have unlimited tea! Also, if you have a countertop water/lemonade dispenser, fill it with water and put it on your night stand too! You can also just place a gallon of water on your nightstand. But when you’re not feeling well, you don’t want to keep getting up for tea. Tea is so soothing when you don’t feel good. Sometimes I add raw unfiltered honey, but sometimes I just want to sip tea.” C.D.
- Essential Oil Misting Spray – “I make an essential oil misting spray. I add water and/or vinegar to a spray bottle and add a few drops of my favorite antiviral essential oils. When I cough in my tissue or into my sleeve, I spray the air around me, as well as spray my sleeve if I coughed or sneezed into it. I feel better knowing I’m not just ignoring the fact I could have germs floating around or sitting on my arm or sleeve.” S.M.
- Lots of Water – “Drink LOTS of water. I drink so much water at the first sign of getting sick. It helps tremendously! It hydrating and thins mucus. It also helps wash away gross stuff sitting in the throat.” C.L.
- Upper Body Massage – “Massage. I mix therapeutic essentials oil with a carrier oil. I either do this myself, or if I have someone who can help me, that’s always great too. But I focus on face, neck, and chest. It puts me right to sleep.” R.W.
- Manuka Honey – “Manuka honey is great. I take manuka when I am run down to prevent myself from getting sick. I try not to wait for symptoms. If people are sick around me, I take manuka.” N.S.
- Get Lazy! You Have An Excuse – “It’s okay to be lazy, if you will. I forget about my symptoms and stop worrying about it getting worse. I get to lie in bed and binge watch, sleep, eat. Repeat. It helps clear my mind, and that helps our body heal.” S.M.
- Coconut Oil in the Throat – “Coconut oil dropped into the throat. I use a pipette, tilt my head back, and drop some coconut oil into my throat, making sure it hits my tonsils and the back edges and crevices on the side of my tongue. If my throat is already too uncomfortable, I add some drops of essential oils that are safe to ingest, such as oregano, cinnamon, and ginger. Anytime I feel I need more, I take more drops.” S.D.
- Lots of Vitamin C – “I take lots of vitamin C. I take 1000mg every couple of hours for as long as I’m awake. I do this until I am almost better. Then I extend the time to about every 3-4 hours. Then when I’m better I take 2x a day for about 3 days. If I have vitamin c powder, I sometimes do a vitamin C flush instead. Both are great!” C.L.
- Homemade Chicken Soup – “Homemade chicken soup is like a family tradition. I was taught to always keep a whole chicken in the freezer. When I feel a cold or flu coming on, I place a whole chicken into a huge pot. I add salt, garlic, and seasonings and let it slow cook. If I have vegetables on hand, I’ll add some to it. My favorite is keeping the soup green, adding finely cut kale, leeks, spinach, onions, and bok choy. So good and healing. I sip on this all day in bed when I’m sick.” A.N.
- Bee Propolis and Honey – “I take bee propolis and honey. I add bee pollen to my morning smoothie for maintenance. I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a flu or cold.” A.A.
- Salt Water Gargle – “The only thing I do, anyone can do it. Gargle with salt water. I take about ½ teaspoon of salt and add it to about 4 oz. of warm water and gargle. I first gargle only in my mouth and spit it out to assure my mouth is clean. Then I gargle it back into the throat. I do this a few times to make sure my throat is clear. Then whenever I feel discomfort, I repeat.” L.D.
- Cayenne Pepper – “Cayenne pepper added to tea or even plain water works wonders. It helps with a sore throat and I also believe it helps me get better faster.” R.M.
- Deep Breathing Exercises – “For chest congestion, I do some deep breathing. This is exaggerated deep breaths. Breath in and out as deeply as possible. This really helps loosen up congestion. Sometimes I do this over the sink while letting steam hit my face, to really loosen up stubborn phlegm. Just make sure your sink is clean so you’re not breathing in anything you shouldn’t.” C.C.
- Probiotics – “Probiotics are a must for me, but when I’m sick, I take extra to help build my immune system, since I firmly believe our gut is a major part of our immune system.” D.D.
- Zinc – “I always keep zinc in stock. It makes my stomach hurt so I make sure I have something to coat my belly first. But I take a little extra when I’m sick.” S.L.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – “Apple cider vinegar is really good for a cold and flu. I take it several times a day when I am sick. It does something good because I’m not sick long.” M.R.
- Alcohol Spray or Hand Sanitizer, Bedside – “I always make sure I have alcohol spray and hand sanitizer on the side of my bed. That way when I blow my nose while I’m in bed, I don’t have to get up 50 times to wash my hands… I always spray close to my hands so the alcohol mist is not inhaled. That can be irritating to mucus membranes. But this helps prevent the spread of germs and allows me to get more rest by avoiding constant hand washing trips.” S.D.
- Garlic – “Raw Garlic is best, but even dried garlic offers some benefits. Raw garlic is potent and all the oils that can help attack the bad stuff trying to make us sick. I chop some up, let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow to release it’s healing properties, then I just spoon it into my mouth and chase it with water. IF I can handle it, I chew it to release more oil and ‘juice’ into my mouth and throat, then drink water.”
Disclaimer: The information on this page and on this website is not medical advice and should not be used as such. We offer general information, but for more information regarding use, please consult a qualified medical professional.
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