Tis’ the season of sharing, and no matter how hard you try to prevent it, germs will be passed around.

Colds and flu are never fun, but they are especially trying over the holiday season. There is too much cooking, cleaning and shopping to accomplish, not to mention all the gatherings with friends, family and coworkers; no one will want to get too close, and you can forget meeting anyone under the mistletoe if you are coughing and sneezing.

If you are suffering from a cough, sore throat, common cold or the flu, there are many natural remedies right at your fingertips. These will help to lessen the severity and shorten the duration of the cold.

1. Garlic. A popular natural remedy due to its antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties, garlic has also shown to act as a decongestant and cough suppressant. It works by igniting a chemical reaction that releases allicin, a powerful antibacterial that is only present in raw garlic, shortly after it is crushed.

How to use it

• Take a whole clove of garlic and pop it right into your mouth or eat as is, bite by bite, raw. (This method is not for the faint of heart!)
• Mince a clove or two of garlic, add a touch of honey or olive oil, and spread over a slice of bread or crackers. This method is much subtler and gives you the added benefits that honey or olive oil have to offer.

2. Honey. Known to boost the immune system, honey also offers antibacterial, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. It can soothe a sore throat and help treat a cough. In fact, studies done in children 2 and older have found honey to be as effective as over the counter cough suppressants in reducing coughing episodes.

How to use it

• Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey as needed
• Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey with a cup of hot water
• Mix 1 to 2 teaspoons of raw honey with a cup of hot water and a slice of lemon

*Honey should never be consumed by those under 12 months of age due to the risk of infant botulism.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar. Feel a cold coming on? Tackle it before it gets into full swing with apple cider vinegar. While ACV is highly acidic, it will actually help to balance pH levels in the body, and in doing so can help prevent cold and flu germs from settling in your nose and chest – a properly alkalized body is unappealing to germs.

 How to use it

• If you have the stomach for it, drink a tablespoon straight up
• Dilute a tablespoon of ACV in water, gargle and swallow
• For a sinus or chest infection, add 1/8 of a cup of ACV to the water in a vaporizer and leave on over night

4. Ginger root. The anti-inflammatory gingerols and shaogals in ginger root work to kill rhinoviruses by bringing down inflammation, clearing congestion and supporting the immune system.

 How to use it

•  Grate 2 teaspoons of fresh ginger root into hot water and let steep for about 5 minutes. Drink up!

5. Cinnamon. An effective antiviral and antibiotic, cinnamon can help you kick the common cold by relieving cough and congestion and lowering a fever.

 How to use it

•  Mix 1 tablespoon cinnamon with 1 teaspoon honey. Take as is or combine with hot water to drink as a tea.

If a cold is taking longer than 10 days to pass, if none of the above suggestions seem to be helping or if your symptoms get worse, visit a doctor. The above remedies are for common colds and flus only.

We hope you have a healthy and happy winter! And please let us know if any of the above work for you or if you have other natural remedies to share.