Remedies for Cold and Flu Season

It’s that time of year. There is multiple sicknesses going around. Whenever this season comes around, I can’t help but think of the pandemic and the major effect it had on our world. On the bright side, my anxious mind spent that time looking for all the remedies for when a loved one or I ended up catching something.

I like to go the natural route when I can, but sometimes you need something stronger. I go over my favorite remedies, from the fully natural to the full-blown symptom destroyers. Having both in stock is great, because you never know how sick you will actually get. Here are some of my favorites.

The natural stuff

Wedderspoon

Manuka Honey Drops – Lemon & Bee Propolis

These are an absolute godsend if you are struggling with a sore throat or a cough. They taste amazing, and are so soothing on the throat. Back in my recruiting days, I would go through these so quickly in between interview calls. They contain multiple essential oils, along with bee propolis. If you are allergic to bees, they also have a variety of other flavors. One of my favorites is their Ginger and Echinacea drops.

All of their items are packed with superfoods, Manuka Honey being their most obvious one. If you need some throat care, this brand is a great go-to. You also don’t have to worry about any weird chemicals, their ingredient lists are simple, with recognizable names.

Yogi

Get Well Variety Pack

Yogi is probably my favorite brand of tea, and their variety packs on amazon are amazing! I truly can’t get enough. This one provides an impressive collection for cold and flu season. This pack specifically includes Breathe Deep, Cold Season, Echinacea Immune Support, Throat Comfort, Honey Chai, and Bedtime. Each flavor is crafted to include a variety of different herbs such as ginger root, lemongrass, licorice root, and many more. The brand clearly does their research on what blends are helpful for each flavors intent.

The nice thing about this pack is that it includes teas that range from preventive to when you’re in the trenches. They also all work as a tea you can drink without illness if you like the taste. Their Bedtime blend is one of my favorites. I’m a huge supporter of anything that helps me sleep. I personally like to use 2 tea bags, but mix and match. An honorable mention for the brand: Sweet Lemon Everyday Immunity.

Source Naturals

Wellness Formula

These capsules are an essential in my medicine cabinet. They have stopped a cold in it’s tracks the majority of times I remember to take them. The dosages are heavy, 6 capsules, so when I first started I would split them up into a few doses throughout the day. Once I found out they didn’t irritate my extremely sensitive stomach. Now I just down them all at once.

This product has been around for over 30 years, and contains a very long list of herbs, vitamins, and nutraceuticals. I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant at first when I saw how many ingredients were packed in these capsules. Little did I know, they pack a punch. I have gifted these to friends, family, and coworkers when they are under the weather, and have received rave reviews.

The heavy hitters

Vicks

Dayquil & Nyquil – Severe Cold & Flu

For when I am really down, my go-to is the liquid Dayquil and Nyquil. I don’t know what it is, but I feel as if the liquid formulas work better. Call me crazy, but I think the convenience of pills isn’t always the best call. That could also totally be in my head, but that is how I see it.

The Severe Cold and Flu formula is sure to knock out your fever, make your throat feel better, and help unclog any congestion you have. I try not to reach for these until I really need them, but they do work wonders. I can see why the Vicks brand has remained one of the top OTC brands.

Theraflu

Flu Relief Max Strength

Another heavy hitter is Theraflu. I remember the first time I had this in my youth. I was very sick, and also very confused as to what this strange hot concoction was. The taste is ok. Far better than a liquid medicine, but definitely does not taste like tea. The taste reminds me of an Emergen-C, but warm with a different flavor. Nonetheless, it works very well, especially when you have the type of sickness where your whole body hurts.

The nighttime formula will surely help knock you out, while the warm temperature helps ease throat pain. By the time the medicine kicks in, I’m ready for bed. I have used this when I have had COVID and the typical flu. Both times, it has worked very well. Highly recommend.

Mucinex

Mucinex DM 12 Hour Max Strength

Mucinex is not for the weak. Well, it kind of is for the weak, but it is definitely a strong medication. If you have one of those deep coughs, this is the go to. It helps so much when you are feeling too sick to function. However, you will definitely be feeling a bit different when you take it. This is due to the strong dose of Guaifenesin.

Back in my recruiting days, I had a nurse who was venting about not feeling well. She says something along the lines of, “I was so sick, I had to take that strong stuff. The decongestant Guaifenesin. That’s how you know your down bad. I hate taking that stuff.” I laughed and remembered when I had first take mucinex in high school, and felt so loopy I got called out of school. This stuff is strong, but it works well if that’s what you’re looking for.