So this past month around the KnowitAll house hasn’t been all that pretty. Between strep, stomach viruses and then bronchitis, my kids have shared way too much of the “fun” stuff they’re picking up at school. However it has given us some good chances to try out some natural cold and cough remedies!
I’ve tried several, but two remedies have really stood out from all the others. It is important that I stop right now and say that I am not a doctor, I am not a medical professional in any way. I’m just someone who has experienced illness lately, done a good bit of reading, and tried these remedies with some success.
Honey + Cinnamon = anti-viral gold. Seriously, at the first sign of the sniffles, just go make up a huge batch. Not only does it taste Ah-MAZ-ing, it is really good for you too. Did you know that both honey and cinnamon are well-known for their antibacterial properties? Studies with cinnamon show it can kill Staph, MRSA and E. coli. Published studies show that raw honey also can kill Staph, strep and other bacteria. Put the two together and let them fight the nastiness making you sick. Tastes yummy too! Take one teaspoon three times a day. It will help fight the illness, and the honey will coat your throat, helping with soreness and coughing issues.
Peppermint oil + Rosemary oil + hot water = clear breathing. I discovered this brilliance during my bout of bronchitis. Add four drops of Peppermint oil and four drops of Rosemary oil into a bowl or sink full of steaming hot water, then inhale the steam that comes out. Better than any Vicks Vapo-rub, you will be wide open for a long time. If you inhale deeper with each breath, it will get down clear into your lungs and help bring some real relief for chest congestion. Covering your head with a towel as you inhale keeps the vapors more concentrated. This would clear my head for three or four hours at a time.
