The kids are in school, the holidays are fast approaching and there’s so much planning and shopping still yet to be done. Who can afford to get sick? Whether you’re making soothing medicinal teas, immune boosting syrups or something else entirely, these natural ways to fight colds & flu will keep you in shape to do what needs to be done.

After all, we can’t always afford to take time off from work or home life. But it is important that we take time out for self care. This way we can still perform at our best even when we feel bad. And who knows, you may find that you enjoy some of these natural ways to fight colds & flu even when you aren’t sick!

Natural Ways to Fight Colds & Flu

Medicinal Tea for Colds & Flu

You need look no further than tea brands like Yogi and Traditional Medicinals to know that tea can help with a variety of ailments from insomnia and constipation to weight loss and energy. But if name brand teas don’t quite cut it, you can create your own custom tea blends to help ease a cold or flu.

Within the article, How to Make Custom Herbal Tea Blends by Jes of Good 4 You Herbals, you are provided with introductory information on herbal ingredients and tips for mixing these ingredients to create custom herbal teas. For example, peppermint leaf helps to not only cool down the body, but it also soothes irritated lungs and eases colds. Hibiscus flowers, which are naturally rich in Vitamin C, help to “dry” out excess mucus in your lungs. While marshmallow root adds a coat of mucilage that can sooth a dry cough and sore throat.

Cayenne, and this one is often used in cold & flu tea blends, heats up the body and acts as an expectorant if you have a stuffy nose due to a cold or flu. In addition it also has amazing antibacterial properties that help to promote wellness.

You can find Jes’ article on how to customize your own herbal teas here. (Jes also uses her herbal knowledge when developing her own natural plant based makeup. You can purchase her products via her Etsy store here.) Or try this simple and easy cold & flu herbal tea recipe with echinacea, ginger and cayenne to get you started.

If you’re not quite up to the task of customizing and preparing your own medicinal herbal tea remedy, you can purchase pre-blended cold & flu herbal teas from these artisanal sellers based on your symptoms. Or simply gleam ideas for the types of ingredients you’d like to use when making your own teas.

I am particularly partial to this Cold & Flu Loose Herbal Tea from Arogya Tea & Holistic Healing. It contains an immune-boosting and antiseptic blend of herbs to help strengthen and defend your reserves. Ingredients include Elder Flowers, Licorice Root, Fennel and Cinnamon to battle congestion, Calendula to ease fever, Lime Blossoms to calm the stomach and Echinacea to boost immunity. Get it here. Or try Folke Magick’s Cold & Flu Herbal Tea as an alternate version.

Immune Boosting Home Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar to Fight Colds & Flu

Speaking of boosting your immunity, drinking raw apple cider vinegar everyday is a great way to keep your immunity up. Not only can it help to prevent you from getting sick, but it also gives your body a boost to fight a cold or the flu if you do get sick. I have a great recipe for a turmeric ginger apple cider vinegar tonic here. If you already have a cold, adding a dash of cayenne pepper to suit can give this tonic an extra kick to help clear out stuffy nasal passages.

Black Elderberry Syrup to Fight Colds & Flu

Elderberry syrup is another immunity boosting remedy! Black elderberries have been used for hundreds of years for their medicinal value in treating colds, the flu, allergies and to boost overall respiratory health. Found along rivers, forests and even roadsides, this common botanical yields ripe berries that are rich in antioxidants, potassium, beta carotene, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C.

Elderberry syrup is a simple and tasty way to ingest the nutrients offered by elderberries. It’s believed that taken daily, it can help to prevent flu and colds as well as aid in the recovery of an existing illness such as the flu, colds, excessive mucus and even a sore throat. You can learn how to make your own homemade elderberry syrup here. Alternately you can also buy a DIY elderberry kit or premade elderberry syrup. (This stuff is delicious! I highly recommend trying it on pancakes.)

In addition to apple cider vinegar and elderberry syrup, you can also purchase immunity boosting herbal teas. Moose Head Homestead sells an ImmuniTEA-herbal tea blend that combines elderflowers with organic ginger root, calendula, yarrow and peppermint leaf that you take at the first sign of discomfort. Earth Witch Herbals also sells an Immuni-TEA tea blend with a slightly different formula.

Alternately, if sipping on tea isn’t really your thing, Gaia Herbs Turmeric Supreme Immune A.S.A.P Supplement is a wonderful alternative in pill form. (FYI Thrive Market has great prices on the entire Gaia Herb line. I shop with them regularly. It’s kind of like a Costco but for the world’s best healthy food and natural products at wholesale prices.)

Turmeric Golden Milk to Naturally Fight Colds & Flu

Speaking of turmeric, golden milk is another great option for not only boosting your immunity, but it’s also a pretty powerful antioxidant, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. Golden milk, also sometimes called turmeric tea, can help stop a bacterial infection in its tracks as well as soothe a sore throat. It can also help with digestion issues such as with gas, bloating, and digestive comfort as well as ease muscle and joint pain.

This turmeric golden milk recipe from Wit & Delight is a great option. You can swap out the non-dairy milk for dairy if you prefer or swap the honey with light agave syrup to make it vegan. (Wit & Delight is one of my long time favorite lifestyle blogs covering topics that include beauty, fashion, interior design, health & wellness, parenting and more.)

You can also find a simpler golden milk recipe at It’s a Healthy Lifestyle blog which focuses on nutrition, veganism, health and lifestyle. There’s even a golden milk frozen dog treat recipe for your pup at Dalmatian DIY because, after all, pets are family too.

Or, if there’s a bit too much work involved in the process of making turmeric tea for your hectic schedule, Laird’s Superfood Turmeric Creamer makes a great nutrient rich, vegan alternative for adding turmeric to your diet along with your morning cup of jo. (I also purchased this product from Thrive Market recently.)

Essential Oils to Naturally Fight Colds & Flu

If your preference lies more in the realm of essential oils and aromatherapy then you might want to consider giving Twig + Petals Immunity Boost Organic Essential Oil Blend a try. The natural blend of Pine, Lemon, Eucalyptus, Myrrh, Tea Tree, Thyme essential oils can be applied to feet or added to warm bathwater to help support your body’s natural immunity.

Alternately, if you enjoy making your own homemade products, Humblebee & Me has a great recipe for making your own Essential Oil Cold & Flu Aromatherapy Roll On. It contains eucalyptus, peppermint, clove bud, wintergreen, lime, cajeput and tea tree essential oils as well as menthol. If you are allergic or sensitive to eucalyptus and/or clove bud essential oils, cedarwood and cinnamon essential oils make a wonderful substitute.

Now that you’re better armed to take on cold & flu season – and really, basically be Wonder Woman for the entire holiday season – be sure to let me know in the comments what some of your favorite natural ways to fight colds & flu are! And don’t forget to check out my Natural Home Remedies & Herbal Health Care board on Pinterest for more great ideas for taking charge of your health.

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This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Information on products mentioned are based on my own personal experience and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult a physician prior to making any changes that may impact your health.