Top 10 Cold & Flu Remedies Every Mama Should Have in The Pantry
Snot dripping down your kid’s face only to be wiped off on your shirt. Not even on the couch, the carpet, his or her sibling’s shirt, on YOUR shirt.
Your kid doesn’t cough at all while playing and running around with dad but somehow coughs directly in your face. Not just in your face, but really directly into your mouth. Yum.
I mean, honestly, kids must have some sort of super power that enables them to give mom ALL of their germs.
Who feels me on this?
ANYWAYS, IT’S COLD & FLU SEASON YA’LL (SUPPOSEDLY).
I’m actually not sure what this ‘season’ should be called. Is it just COVID season? Who knows. What I do know, though, is that typical viruses and bacteria still exist. You and your little humans can still catch a typical cold or the typical flu and not have COVID. I think people are tending to forget that and just kinda assuming everything is COVID.
That is FALSE. Everything else still exists.
That was a mini rant. My point in all of this is that improving & protecting our immune systems holistically during this FLUVID season is what’s most important.
did ya’ll see what I did there?? 10 points to me for creativity. Flu + COVID = FLUVID. Yes, I’m laughing to myself right now in a coffee shop. It’s okay, everything’s fine.
Back to my point. What I try to tell all of my patients is that by boosting our immune systems as a whole, we better our chances of fighting off whatever comes our way. Whether that’s COVID, the flu, a cold, strep, or our husbands (lolz).
SOOOO, LET’S GET TO IT.
Top 10 Cold & Flu Remedies Stocked in My Pantry
MULTIVITAMIN
First up on my list is a good ole fashioned multivitamin. I’m seriously a multivitamin snob. Most don’t have optimal dosages or they contain ingredients that aren’t my fave… In our house we use IntraKid x Drucker Labs. For kids without a lot of food sensitivities or allergies, this is a great option. It’s an organic, all-in-one, liquid multivitamin (that tastes good!). It has over 215 vitamins, minerals, & other super important nutrients to not only help kiddos grow but to optimize their development and immune system.
OSCILLOCOCCONUM
I call it ‘oscillo’, because seriously, who can actually say Oscillococconum properly. It took me 4 attempts to even spell it right. Oscillo x Boiron is a staple in our house, particularly during FLUVID season (yes, I’m still hanging on to that). As soon as the kids start to feel run down or are showing signs of the sickies (a little fever, headache, or body aches), I give them Oscillo.
Oscillo is homeopathic medicine made up of Anas barbariae that works to reduce the duration and severity of flu-like symptoms. It’s an adult supplement, but kiddos can take it too (*the dosage is different though so please consult with your doc before giving it to kids!*).
COLOSTRUM
Colostrum. I could go on and on about the benefits of it. MegaIgG x Microbiome Labs is a year-round staple in the Brooks household. MegaIgG contains pure serum-derived bovine immunoglobulin protein in a veggie capsule. There are tons of colostrum products on the market but I particularly like this one because it is 100% dairy free (lactose free, casein free, & beta-lactoglobulin free). MegaIgG helps to support healthy digestion, neutralizes environmental toxins, & helps to rebuild protective intestinal barriers. In more technical terms, MegaIgG supports a healthy mucosal immune system by decreasing unfavorable immune activation in the mucosal layer, lowering toxic burden & strengthening gut barrier function.
When an antigen (i.e. a yucky germ) comes into the body, it initiates an innate & adaptive immune system response. That immune response uses specific white blood cells to find that yucky invader, neutralize it, and then get it out of the body. One of those white blood cells, B lymphocytes, does this by creating antibodies that can bind to the unwanted antigen & throw it in the garbage.
These antigens can trigger mucosal activation & inflammation, BUT, the immunoglobulins in MegaIgG can bind and neutralize those antigens before they trigger that inflammatory response. So, not only does MegaIgG improve nutrient digestion & absorption but it also significantly impacts the immune system. There’s tons of literature on this too, for you nerds who want to check out the studies.
MORE VITAMIN C
When people think of nutrients that play a role in immune health, vitamin C is probably one of the first—if not the first—to come to mind. Interesting fact about Vitamin C that a lot of people don’t know… our bodies do not make Vitamin C, rather we have to get it from our diet and/or supplementation (some foods high in Vitamin C include: papaya, bell peppers, strawberries, and oranges).
Looking at this on a deeper, more scientific level, Vitamin C contributes to immune defense by supporting various cellular functions of both the innate and adaptive immune system. The vitamin promotes the formation of antibodies that bind to and destroy dangerous toxins, bacteria, & viruses in our bodies before they can wreak havoc. Vitamin C also promotes wound healing by stimulating the production of collagen anddd supports the epithelial barrier against pathogens.
I’m not done.
Vitamin C accumulates in specific cells (phagocytic cells) that enhance our body’s ability to kill bacteria. Over time, vitamin C has proven to prevent and treat respiratory and systemic infections. Oh, and for those who are vitamin C deficient, results from studies indicate those humans have a higher susceptibility to infection & impaired immune function. My choice? Liposomal Vitamin C x Numedica.
SOME EXTRA VITAMIN D
Ya’ll, just take the dang vitamin D. PLEASE.
I’m terrible at guessing percentages of my patients, but I’d say that 85% of my patients are vitamin D deficient. Our food and soil has become so depleted of rich vitamins and minerals that it’s not enough to just go outside to get your vitamin D anymore- particularly during the winter months, when vitamin D deficiency is the most prevalent anyways. Supplementation with Vitamin D can greatly help to reduce the occurrence & symptoms of colds and flu. This is science based, too, for my non-believers. One study analyzed 11,000 participants between 0 and 95 years old and found that daily doses of Vitamin D supported respiratory tract health & reduced the incidence of seasonal infections.
Vitamin D supplementation helps to boost your immune system by stimulating naturally occurring antimicrobial peptides - which protect your body by destroying invading germs. These antimicrobial peptides live in immune cells throughout the body, including cells lining the upper & lower respiratory tract. There, they are able to directly fight off viruses & bacteria that cause common immune and respiratory infections like colds and the flu. Or even FLUVID - you have to admit, it’s catchy.
CHILDREN’S ACF X BURIED TREASURE
This guy is an all-in-one stop shop. It’s a great immune support blend with:
Vitamin C
Zinc
Elderberry
Echinacea
Mullein Leaf
Citrus Bioflavonoids
Oregon Grape Root
Wild Cherry Bark
Osha Root
Usnea Lichen
Myrrh
Ginger Root
Rutin
Purified Silver
Talk about a power house.
This combo of great ingredients provides some pretty rapid immune support. The ingredients are plant sourced without added sugar, artificial ingredients, corn syrup, or artificial flavors. You know that’s my ish.
COLDCALM
Next up on my list is ColdCalm x Boiron. These tablets are great for targeting specific cold symptoms right when they start. I mean the second you start to feel sneezy, congested, snotty, or sore throaty - take some (yeah, those are all medical terms). ColdCalm is great in conjunction with Oscillo to reduce the duration and severity of cold or flu symptoms - and safe for kids over 3!
MATY’S ORGANIC CHILDREN’S MUCOUS COUGH SYRUP
I love me some Maty’s products. Maty’s uses:
Organic Honey
Sea Salt
Organic Cinnamon
Organic Clove
Organic Lemon Balm Extract
Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
Organic Ginger
Organic Thyme
Organic Oregano
Zinc
WITHOUT: natural or artificial flavors, wheat, drugs, chemicals, artificial preservatives, sweeteners, alcohol, corn, or color additives. PHEW. Clean. Effective. Great ingredients.
I mean let’s just take honey, for example. Honey has antioxidant, antiviral, & antibacterial properties – all of which make it a great cold-fighter and immune booster. Not only that, but honey has the ability to soothe irritated mucous membranes, making it a great natural cough suppressant. A study conducted by Pennsylvania State University in 2007 showed children with upper respiratory infections who consumed honey had a 40% improvement in their cough and restless sleep as compared to the untreated children.
So, needless to say, this one is a great option for calming coughs, soothing irritated throats, and providing gentle relief.
COLD ‘N COUGH X HYLAND'S
Next up: Hyland’s 4 Kids Cold & Cough Day & Night Value Pack. This is great another homeopathic remedy to have in the house. It’s a liquid that my kids, frankly, enjoy drinking too much. I have to cut them off. The strategic combination of ingredients helps to relieve congestion, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, & post nasal drip day and night. All natural ingredients. No artificial flavors, dyes, parabens, sugar, or drugs.
The daytime pack includes:
Allium Cepa 6X HPUS -helps runny nose, hacking cough, painful throat
Hepar Sulph Calc 12X HPUS- improves cold symptoms & sneezing
Hydrastis 6X HPUS- aids rattling, tickling cough; sinus congestion; dry, raw, & sore throat
Natrum Muriaticum 6X HPUS - improves dry cough & sore throat
Phosphorus 12X HPUS - helps hoarse/dry cough, nasal congestion, & chest congestion
Pulsatilla 6X HPUS - improves moist cough, cold, & nasal congestion
Sulphur 12X HPUS - for chest congestion, nasal congestion, sneezing, & runny nose
The nighttime pack contains all ingredients listed above, along with:
Chamomilla 6X HPUS- for sensitive, irritable, fussy, & sleeplessness
Coffea Cruda 6X HPUS - improves occasional sleeplessness & restlessness
Get you some.
ESSENTIAL OILS
Last, but certainly not least: essential oils. There are tons of powerful essential oils for a cold or the flu. Two great options to start with are eucalyptus & peppermint. Eucalyptus oil contains several compounds, such as cineole, that are effective at combating viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It is proven to reduce headaches, stuffy noses, fever, and the general effects of viral illnesses by deactivating viral particles. Peppermint, on the other hand, can reduce cough symptoms and improve sinusitis and throat infections. Some others include:
Lemon - clears nasal passages & can improve breathing
Lavender - relieves stress, fatigue, and headaches
Thyme - has antibacterial properties to help fight respiratory infections
Tea tree oil - inhibits bacteria & fights viruses
Chamomile - relieves cold and flu symptoms
Clove - has antiviral & anti-fungal properties to disinfect surfaces or air
I hope this is helpful for you and your fam during this weird FLUVID time.
Copyright 2022 The Discovery Doc, LLC®. All Rights Reserved.
The Discovery Doc - Dr. CeCe Brooks - Atlanta Holistic NP
Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare professional.
