Riding out a cold, naturally

I’ve been working through a cold this past week. Nothing cures a cold quickly, and pharmaceuticals only mask the symptoms. When I catch one, my goal is simple: keep things moving. If mucus lingers too long, it can settle in the sinuses or chest, and that is when colds turn into something harder to shake. Everything I reach for is meant either to help my body clear things out or to bring comfort along the way.

(Note: This is what I do for myself and my family. Do your own research and apply things as you feel comfortable. Speak with your doctor if you wish.)

Hot tea is always the first thing I start with. A warm mug thins mucus, loosens the throat and chest, and makes it easier to cough or blow things out. Honey soothes the cough and adds comfort. This time it was my Cold Buster Tea, cup after cup. That blend makes things drain and has herbs that have long been used to support the body’s defenses.

For deeper help, I take mullein and usnea tinctures. Mullein has long been known as a lung herb, softening irritated passages while also helping to bring up thick mucus. It is an expectorant and often called “Nature’s Mucinex.” Usnea, a lichen, has been used for lung complaints for generations, and modern studies confirm it carries compounds with both antibacterial and antiviral activity.

I also made time for hot showers and nasal rinses. Steam opens things up, and rinsing keeps passages clear. When my lungs felt more involved than just head and sinuses, I use my nebulizer with colloidal silver and mullein tincture. That is something I have personally found helpful.

As the cold shifted and a cough started, I reached for homeopathics, mainly Pulsatilla and Drosera 30c. They are chosen by how symptoms present, and these two matched my cold this time.

In the kitchen, I kept to light whole foods. I skipped sugar and milk since they make mucus worse for me, and I added in plenty of thyme, oregano, and garlic. I also usually take spoonfuls of elderberry syrup from the fridge each day but I forgot to make some!  Elderberry has been used for generations during cold season, and I like the way it supports my body when I am fighting something off. Alongside that, I made sure to include basics like zinc and vitamin C for overall support.

Rest was just as important as anything else. At night, a spray of magnesium on my feet helped me sleep. My Breathe Easy Stick gave comfort when I was too stuffed up, and Healing Salve kept the skin under my nose from breaking down after so many tissues.

None of these things erase a cold overnight, but they support my body so it can do the real work of healing. The reminder is always the same: be patient, give your body space, and lean on the simple remedies that have carried people through for generations.

What do you do to support your body through respiratory viruses? Lets share more ideas in the comments!