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Zinc? Honey? Ginger? What Actually Helps When You Have a Cold or the Flu?

“There’s a saying that if you treat a cold, it goes away in seven days, if you leave it alone, it goes away in a week,” said Dr. Aviva Romm, a physician who specializes in integrative medicine. But for generations, countless home remedies — cups of warm tea or soups and spoonfuls of herbs — have helped manage cold and flu symptoms, like a sore throat or congestion. Scientists have conducted research over the years attempting to quantify how effective some of those remedies are, how frequently they should be used and what formulations work best. But the studies are often small or don’t show much efficacy.

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 Here are the cold and flu remedies that actually work

The simplest remedy is also the most effective, and probably the most disappointing. If you had time to rest, dammit, you wouldn’t be Googling around for quick cold remedies. Cold medicine won’t cure you, but it can alleviate your symptoms. So whatever brand or formula of medication seems to work for you is the best bet. Unfortunately, vitamin C doesn’t seem to do much, and neither does echinacea. But zinc lozenges may help you get better, if you start taking them regularly within 24 hours of your first symptoms. It’s not clear whether they actually help you fight off the virus or simply reduce inflammation in your throat. And zinc nasal swabs just seem to kill your sense of smell, so don’t try to get all fancy.

 This Peruvian Flu Remedy Will Make You Forget You’re Sick

“Lima is a city based on traditions,” says Peruvian mom Laura De La Rosa. “And even though we have doctors and everything, first you turn to the traditional home remedies.” De La Rosa’s go-to flu remedy? Caspiroleta, or pisco milk. The natural medicine starts with some boiled milk, to which De La Rosa adds cinnamon sticks, which make everything smell vibrant and delicious, even if you can’t exactly smell at the moment.

 When the Flu Hits and You’re On Your Own: How to Get Through It Safely, Calmly, and With Dignity

Getting the flu is miserable under the best of circumstances. Getting it while living alone, without a partner, family nearby, or someone to check in on you, can feel overwhelming fast. The combination of fever, fatigue, isolation, and basic survival tasks can turn a short illness into an exhausting mental and physical challenge. Yet millions of people face this reality every year, and there are practical, grounded ways to cope, recover, and protect your health when you are the only one taking care of yourself.

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Beyond chicken soup: what chefs and doctors eat when they’re sick (or just hungover)

Laid up with the flu? Suffering with a sore throat? From chicken bhuna to fire honey, this food should get you back on your feet. Focus on fluids, Eccles says it can be difficult to eat anything at first. “During flu I often have little appetite and lack energy, so I have energy drinks, coffee and tea to pick me up and get going.” Macciochi sips “coconut water or an electrolyte-rich herbal tea for hydration”, followed by “clear bone broth or veggie broth with garlic, miso and greens, when I can tolerate them”. José goes back to his staple, canja, “along with warm lemon tea with manuka honey”. He reiterates that “hydration is absolutely essential”.

My Cold and Flu Survival Kit (12 Things Every Gal Should Keep Around This Season)

Hi my dears! It's funny, when the flu hit, I was so not prepared for it. We were out of Tylenol for crying out loud! So, thinking of you, and the cold and flu season ahead, I've put together a little health kit--filled with things that every gal might considering keeping on hand in the event that a virus knocks you off your feet. Here are 12 things that got me through it ...

The Top 4 Flu Treatments That Do Not Work (And 2 That Do)

Flu season is upon us, and your local pharmacy may feature special displays with products claiming to cure or treat the flu (which is caused by the influenza virus). The array of products, and the claims featured on their packaging, can be bewildering. Which of them should you buy? Here is a quick guide. (Spoiler: if you want to know what really works, skip to the end.)

Fight The Flu Like a Fashion Editor

Fashion editors have notoriously hectic schedules so it makes sense that they have found ways to keep flu symptoms at bay. When throats start to tickle and they're facing another deadline-filled week, editors turn to quick fixes to stay on top of their games.

Home remedies for cold and flu

“Rest and hydration is the biggest thing,” said Dr. Veenadhari Wang, assistant professor of family and community medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. “As the body is fighting off infection, there’s inflammation and you lose a lot of fluid, leading to dehydration.” To encourage fluid intake, Wang recommends to patients to drink hot tea and hot water. You can also add honey to tea or hot water, which is soothing, coats the throat and helps it feel less irritated from coughing. Children must be over the age of 1 year to eat honey.

Honey and Garlic Is The Home Flu Remedy Everyone’s Trying

Sales of over-the-counter medicines understandably spike at this time of year, as many of us seek relief from runny noses, blocked sinuses, and persistent coughs. This year, however, it seems more of us than ever are turning to natural alternatives in a bid to feel better: Google has witnessed record-high searches for “honey garlic” and “apple cider vinegar” over the past week. It might read as a shopping list of store cupboard essentials, but in short: there are actually two remedies that may positively impact the severity and duration of a cold (although it should be noted that more severe viruses like flu always need proper medical attention and treatment).

How soup might soothe symptoms and support recovery from colds and flu – new research

There are several reasons soup may help. It’s warm, hydrating and typically nutrient-rich. Ingredients like garlic, onion, ginger and leafy greens have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and immune-supportive properties. The warmth can also help loosen mucus, soothe sore throats and promote overall comfort during illness. There’s also a strong cultural and behavioural aspect to food-based self-care: when people use food not just for nourishment, but as an intentional part of managing illness and promoting recovery.

How To Fight The Flu, Naturally

In terms of decongestants for winter, Princi-Jones recommends eucalyptus, lemon, Australian sandalwood, peppermint and pine oils. “These contain cineol, linalool and alpha-Pinene which give them their decongestant action,” says Princi-Jones, “as well as a cooling and clearing effect on the body. They not only provide relief to the symptoms, but also build immunity.”

In the Flu Battle, Hydration and Elevation May Be Your Best Weapons

Vulnerable patients with weakened immune systems should consult their doctors, as should anyone who begins to have trouble breathing or feels faint. But for otherwise healthy individuals, the best strategy is to understand how flu affects your body, and practice self-care accordingly.

Mushrooms Might Help You Fight Off the Flu

The discovery, published in the journal Nature Immunology, found that a component called beta-glucan—found in all fungi, as well as mushrooms, wheat, rye kelp, nori, oats, and barley—can help boost immunity.

Something to Sneeze At

Natural remedies that claim to “boost your immune system” don’t work, and it’s a good thing they don’t.

To Feed, or Not To Feed Your Flu

“Feed a cold, starve a fever” is a popular adage that dates to the Middle Ages and is still widely heard today. Whether it’s a good homemade soup, vitamin C packets, or anything that sounds decent, we have all likely listened to some dietary advice while sick. So, what should we eat? Is there anything to avoid when we have the flu? Will a particular food worsen my symptoms of the flu? This flu season has been particularly active, so it’s no surprise that search engines are booming with these questions. With so much nutrition information out there, it can be a daunting task to find the facts.

What Actually Helps When You Have a Cold or the Flu?

Here’s what we know about zinc, honey and ginger — and other popular remedies that show at least a little promise.