Advice

Beat Winter Colds & Dreaded Mum Flu. Here’s 10 Natural Remedies That Actually Work

We’ve all heard of man flu, right? A common sickness that impacts our significant others and basically renders them useless for days on end.

Man flu often involves lots of really loud (over-exaggerated) coughing, plenty of sleep and possibly a trip to the doctor to confirm that, yes, it’s just a common cold and no, you’re not actually dying.

Well, mum flu is similar to that. There are the same symptoms – sore throat, stuffy nose, hacking cough, sinus pressure and body aches. Except there’s no stopping, no over-exaggerated coughing, no extra sleep and no trips to the doctor.

Why? Because mums don’t have time to get sick. It’s just not on the To-Do List for today. Or tomorrow. Or ever.

There are birthday parties to attend, soccer games to watch, lunches to pack, dinners to prep, baths to draw, bedtime stories to read, not to mention monsters to scare away in the middle of the night.

Daytime, nighttime, weekdays, weekends – kids are constant!! And our kids don’t stop needing us just because we’re sick. It doesn’t work like that (would be great if it did!). 

So, when the symptoms of a cold or flu hit, what can we do?  We’ve stumbled across a few awesome natural cold and flu remedies that can reduce your cold and flu symptoms and the duration of your cold.

[mc_block_title custom_title=”1. For Sinus Pressure, Try HOT PACKS”]

Simply heat a damp, clean washcloth in the microwave for a minute (check the temp first) and apply it to your face. The warmth will do wonders for the sinus pressure. You can also use cold packs (even a bag of frozen peas), but I find the hot works (and feels) a lot better. 

[mc_block_title custom_title=”2. For Body Aches, Try EPSOM SALTS”]

Throw some snacks at the kids and escape to the bathtub for ten minutes of mummy-time. Add Epsom salts to your hot bath to reduce body aches and remove those yucky toxins from your system. The steam from the bath can also help to clear congestion.

woman in bath

[mc_block_title custom_title=”3. For Prevention & Overall Relief, Try ESBERITOX”]

If there was a cold and flu superhero, it would have to be Echinacea – a key ingredient in Esberitox. This stuff is ‘cold gold’ when it comes to supporting the immune system (to stop a cold in its tracks) and relieving symptoms. You can get it in liquid form, but this can be tricky to administer. The best way to get your dose of this cold gold is through a tablet like Esberitox.

Esberitox* contains a combination of herbs including Echinacea, Thuja and Babtisia that have been documented to assist in supporting the immune system, helping to maintain the body’s general resistance to the common cold. It provides relief from the yukky symptoms of the common cold while reducing their severity and duration.

Based on a 90-year-old herbal remedy, Esberitox can even help shorten viral respiratory tract infections by up to three days!**

family in bed sick blowing noses

Two Esberitox options: Esberitox Lemon and Esberitox Compact

Esberitox Lemon is suitable for children ages 4+ and free from gluten, sugar, lactose and preservatives as well as 100% vegan. We especially love that it’s suitable for such a young age, because, if there’s one thing worse than the mum flu, it’s the child cold!

For yourself and older kids (age 12+), go for Esberitox Compact, which packs 5x the strength of Esberitox Lemon. Either chew or swallow 1 tablet twice a day and your cold will have a very hard time battling this stuff.

mum centralTIP: Don’t wait until you’re already sneezing to take action. Start taking Esberitox at the first sign of a cold to prevent it from getting worse. Learn more about Esberitox by clicking the link below or by picking it up at your nearest chemist.Foam Alive

 

[mc_block_title custom_title=”4. For a Sore Throat, Try SALT WATER”]

Gargle away a sore throat with a teaspoon of salt dissolved into a cup of water. Alternatively, try gargling with apple cider vinegar, which is also effective in getting rid of that annoying, scratchy throat.

[mc_block_title custom_title=”5. For a Cough, Try GINGER”]

Any mum who suffered from morning sickness during her pregnancy is well aware that ginger can help with nausea! But it’s also helpful for combatting those pesky coughs that love to show up at the worst of times. Like in the middle of the night. Or during a school concert. Sorry kids, mummy couldn’t hear you sing. She was too busy hacking up a lung in the back corner. 

Pick up some pre-made ginger shots to store in the fridge and add to your morning juice. Trust us, your lungs (and your kids) will thank you!

[mc_block_title custom_title=”6. For a Stuffed Nose, Try BAKING SODA”]

Nasal saline sprays are a great natural cold remedy for clearing a blocked nose. Don’t have a saline spray handy?  Not to worry, simply head to the pantry instead and mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda into a  cup of warm water. Use a bulb syringe to squirt the water into your nose. Then let it drain out.

mum with flu natural cold and flu remedies

[mc_block_title custom_title=”7. For General Cold Treatment, Try THESE FOODS”]

Additional foods that are great for colds and flu include honey (added into a hot drink), chili peppers (for clearing congestion) yoghurt (for gut health), bone broth (for extra immune-supporting vitamins and minerals) and anything packed with vitamin C and garlic. Sure, your breath might not smell too great, but at least you won’t feel like a bus ran you over!

[mc_block_title custom_title=”8. For Phlegm, Try LEMON”]

Phlegm in your throat? Reach for the lemons! The acid in lemons can help bring up that yucky mucus and clear congestion too. Add lemon to hot water or try it in tea.

woman drinking tea with cold and flu

[mc_block_title custom_title=”9. For an Additional Boost, Try GINSENG”]

Fake it ’til you make it and give yourself a boost of energy (without the caffeine jitters) with ginseng. This stuff is awesome for increasing energy and improving your overall ability to function as an adult, even when all you want to do is crawl into bed and die.

You can get ginseng in capsules from the chemist or head to any juice bar and order a ginseng shot on the double!

[mc_block_title custom_title=”10. For Overnight Relief, Try ONION”]

An onion for cough and cold? You betcha! This is another effective natural cold and flu remedy. It’s a bit weird but it works fast! Simply slice a white or red onion into rounds, place them on the bottoms of your feet and put on a pair of socks before you go to bed.

The theory is that the onion will draw out all the yuckiness and you’ll wake up feeling much better. Just make sure you shower before starting your day. Or at least wash your feet!

natural cold remedy onion in socks


FACT: Mums can’t afford to get sick

Falling ill is just not on the cards. So combat cold and flu with these natural cold remedies that actually work and will return to your maximum mum level ASAP.

And the next time you’re at the chemist, pick up some Esberitox to keep in the cabinet (just in case). It’s suitable for adults, children aged 4+ and even husbands suffering from the dreaded man flu. #bonus

Esberitox natural cold remedy

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This is a sponsored post for Arrow Pharma
*Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist consult your health professional. Contains saccharin sodiumEsberitox is not suitable for individuals who are allergic to echinacea or other flowers of the compositae (or asteraceae) family, those with autoimmune or progressive systemic diseases (HIV-AIDS or leukaemia) or under immunosuppressive therapy, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
** Reference: Henneicke-von Zepelin, H.-H., et al., Current Medical Research and Opinion, Vol. 15 (1999): 214-227.
Avatar of Jenna Galley

Born and raised in Canada, Jenna now lives in Far North Queensland with her tribe. When the mum-of-three is not writing, you can find her floating in the pool, watching princess movies, frolicking on the beach, bouncing her baby to sleep or nagging her older kids to put on their pants.

1 Comment

  1. Avatar of Blossom

    Epsom Salts is an excellent suggestion. My now late Mum used it in the late 1950s.
    She was also recommended it to use in the bath for dematitis.

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