10 Cold and Flu Home Remedies

Dr. Parson's Tonic

Posted by Dr Jack Parsons, MD (Santa Barbara, Calif) on 09/24/2008
★★★★★

Best tonic for colds and flu's, given to me by the wife of a colleague, years ago. Given the formula to my patients, and those who have been religously participating in the ingestion of the formula have rid themselves of the worst maladies in record time.

All you need to take is 2 tablespoons twice a day, to afford the rapid results.

Here is the formula:

1 white onion, cut into quarters
1 entire head of garlic peeled
4 habaneros destemmed, but with seeds and veins intact
4" horseradish root, peeled and chopped
4" ginger root, peeled and chopped
1 quart of [organic apple cider] vinegar.

Place all ingredients and puree, then bottle into a quart jar, cap and store at room temp. Shake the bottle, and take 2 tablespoons when symptoms manifest. Or.. take 1 tablespoon every day, to prevent the flu and colds from ever taking hold. My patients who have done this, haven't contracted a flu or cold in years.

Dr. Parson's Tonic

Posted by Rena (Mineral Bluff, Georgia) on 03/04/2009
★★★★★

My family and I have been taking this remedy for years, works great. Too bad it didn't help with my sinus infection, but it will keep colds and flu away, Peace, Rena.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Simone (Florida) on 01/19/2016

I think everyone who has had a problem with dizzy is because they didn't lay down when they did this. The inner ear helps your balance, thats why you feel dizzy.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Ria (NYC, NYS) on 03/15/2008
★★★★★

I had pink eye and cold at the same time. I tried hydrogen Peroxide in ear stuff (3%) in my ears in 10 min also sniffed peroxide into my nose it was painful but I wanted to ged rid of cold completely then gargled with cayenne pepper with camomile tea after I had some of them. 5 hours later no more itchy throat, and I felt much better. For pink eye I tried tea method it was fine and got rid of some of redness but what worked for me was wash it with bottled water and salt. my pink eye got instantly became clear!

Zinc

Posted by Marie (Vancouver, BC, Canada) on 01/30/2008
★★★★★

I have used zinc lozenges (the type you find in the vitamin section, not the type that looks like a candy) and it cured it about 100% of the times. It nips it in the bud. Whenever I feel that "sore throat" feeling coming on or if I wake up with an already sore throat I suck on one immediately and repeat it as often as the feeling comes back. The key is to abstain from eating/drinking for 40-60 mins after you sucked it. Many people whom I've given it to, came back and asked what this miracle cure was. If I think I have a flu or cold coming, I do the same thing with the same miracle effect. I carry a few tablets with me on a permanent basis. I also would drink zinc tablets in the morning and before bed if I suspect a bug is getting at me to help my immune system. I have used up to 6 tablets over a 24 hour period once, but normally don't need more than 2 - 3 tablets.

Fire Cider

Posted by Selah (Winamac, Indiana) on 12/22/2007
★★★★★

I recently found this and am trying it and I love it! I plan to start a second batch soon because the first batch will be gone very quickly! It's called Fire Cider. It is effective, easy to make and tasty, though not for the weak of heart. Make a batch before the cold season starts.

1 Quart AC vinegar
1/4 cup grated fresh horseradish
1 onion, chopped
1 head garlic, peeled & chopped
2 tablespoons powdered turmeric
cayenne pepper
1 cup honey, to taste

1. In a glass or stainless steel sauce pan heat vinegar on the stove to where it is warm, but not boiling.
2. Fill a clean glass jar with horseradish, onion, garlic, turmeric, and a pinch or two of Cayenne pepper.
3. Pour in the warmed vinegar and cap with an acid-proof lid.
4. Store in a warm place 3 to 4 weeks; shaking a few times a week.
5. Strain mixture and add enough honey to suit your taste.
6. Rebottle fire cider and refrigerate.
7. At the first sign of a cold take 1 to 2 tablespoons every 2 to 3 hours until your symptoms subside.

I use a mason jar and put wax paper on top before putting the lid on.

Garlic

Posted by Laura (Seattle, WA) on 10/16/2007
★★★★★

I've been using garlic for years for a variety of things. Usually I use it for colds. At the first sign of a cold, chop up 4 cloves of raw garlic and eat. I prefer to use it as a garnish on an already garlicy type food like soups or spaghettie, it helps make the taste not so obvious. Keep up with 4 cloves a day, then reduce the number as your symptoms decrease. This can stop a cold from manifesting, or it will shorten and weaken your colds. I used to have chronic bronchitis after every cold, now I haven't had it in years. I also only get one cold a year usually. Yeah, I don't smell great but I'm not missing so much work!

I will also use raw garlic juice on rashes and bug bites. It stops the itching immediately, and I pretty much use it for anytime I might need a phytoncide.

Oregano Oil

Posted by barbara (camden, ar) on 09/05/2007
★★★★★

I have been using oil of oregano every time I feel that I am coming down with sore throat, it stops it almost immediately and it does not turn to sinusitis as in the past. I would recommend it to any and every body!

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by SHIRLEY J (Ft. Myers, Florida) on 07/02/2007
★★★★★

# 1 cure. My grandson, age 11, had about 20 warts on his abdomen. Some had been removed by his Doctor but was a painful experience. I recommended he tape a small piece of banana peel to each wart. He did. Within a week they were all gone! Thanks you Earth Clinic! #2 Cure At the very first sign of a cold or flu put 3 drops of Peroxide in one ear. Lie still for 20 minutes. Repeat in other ear. A miracle!

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Kari (Phoenix, Az) on 08/30/2009

Actually, organisms do enter through the ear canal, but also through the eyes, nose, and mouth. Any orifice in the body is capable of transmission. That's why it is best not to touch anything on your face without first washing your hands.

Hydrogen Peroxide Sniffing Method!

Posted by Kathi (New Brunswick, Nj, Usa) on 05/06/2011
★★★★★

Wow this really does work. Had cold (possibly flu?) symptoms yesterday and used the hydrogen peroxide sniffing method twice -- what a difference! I used this in conjunction with tomato tea (which I spike with a little extra vitamin c), and am feeling much improved today.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Jens (North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) on 03/22/2007
★★★★★

We mix H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) down to 1%. At the first sign of a cold we put an eye dropper full into each ear, one at a time. Do one ear first while lying down so the solution does not run out. After about 10 min turn over and do the other ear for another 10 min. This should nip the bug before it starts. This is safe for children as well. Be careful with the strength. You will hear bubbling which is the H2O2 working.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Michael (Seattle, Washington) on 03/07/2007
★★★★★

I've found 3 percent hydrogen peroxide surprisingly effective in "curing" a cold or flu. I fill an eyedropper with it, like down on my side, and pour it into my ears, one at a time. When I have an infection it will bubble or tickle. (Sometimes it tickles intensely... the first time I used it, I couldn't believe how much it tickled!) I leave it in for five minutes, then drain it out. I've been surprised at how effective it is in speeding my recovery, or even nipping a cold or flu bug in the bud. Oddly, putting it in my ears also helps to clear my sinuses. I also use it as a gargle when I have a cough.

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Cass (Dover, DE) on 11/09/2006
★★★★★

A nurse friend told me this cure 3 or 4 years ago. I use it to fight off colds and sore throats. Your ears, nose and throat are connected- I believe it's through the eustation tube. I keep 3% peroxide in a bottle with an eye dropper so that I can do this myself. Lie on your side. Have a washcloth handy for any mop ups you may need and for when you empty your ear. Fill eye dropper with peroxide. Put in your ear. Lie on your side for 15-20 minutes. Do deep breathing as long as possible so that the affects of the peroxide also reach your nose and throat. When the 15-20 minutes are up place the wash cloth over your ear and turn to the other side. Repeat in 2nd ear. I have found this remedy to be very helpful. It is helpful to me when doing this to use a timer because I either get lost in the book I'm reading or fall asleep.

Garlic

Posted by Jim (Magnolia, TX) on 09/17/2006
★★★★★

Garlic for colds. When a cold first starts, place a whole clove between the cheek an teeth. It will shorten the effects of the cold.

Garlic

Posted by Nixa (New York, NY) on 04/03/2006
★★★★★

Garlic tea cured my severe cold with a constant irritating cough. I had an annoying cold that wouldn't go away. I got a recipe for a garlic tea from a coworker. Cured my cold in a couple of days. Garlic Tea Recipe: Pour 1 cup of boiling water into a mug. Add 2-3 cloves of smashed garlic. Let it sit for a min or two. Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey and stir. Trust me. It doesn't taste as bad as it sounds. The honey helps a lot!

Vitamin C

Posted by Kate (Vancouver) on 01/28/2006
★★★★★

Ester-C brand vitamin C taken 3x daily for 3 months and then once daily for the rest of the year builds up your immune system so that colds are less frequent and less in duration. Gel capsule form absorbs the fastest into the bloodstream.

Vitamin C

Posted by Kathryn (Glasgow) on 11/28/2005
★★★★★

I think the best way to cure a cold or the flu is plenty of bed rest and loads of fluids (Preferably no water otherwise you will be up and down to the toilet all the time and you won't get that all important bed rest!) Loads of Vitamin C (Pure Orange juice) is the best way to cure it!

Hydrogen Peroxide in the Ears

Posted by Jaime (C'ville, PA) on 11/17/2005
★★★★★

I found that the peroxide in the ears is one of the best home remedies there is. A few drops of slightly diluted hydrogen peroxide can cure almost any type of common cold or flu. Thanks for the advice everyone!