Feeling Sick? Here Are a Few Home Remedy Ideas

More and more, I gravitate toward natural remedies. I don’t know what it is; whether it be my decision to get off my anxiety medication a couple of years ago, my fascination with getting nutrients from the earth or some combination of the two, I am constantly looking for ways to solve my minor ailments naturally.

Whenever I’m feeling under the weather, my go-to is to brew myself a nice pot of tea. My friends and family have it easy when it comes time for my birthday or Christmas; nothing makes me happier than opening up a bag filled with tea gifts. Various teas, pretty mugs, local honey, anything that accompanies my tea-sperience is a winner in my book. But natural remedies expand farther out from tea, and I’ve found a few work really well to give me a boost when I’m not feeling my best.  

1. Pick your antidote (AKA, the proper tea for your ailment)

Just because I said there were more home remedies to try other than tea, doesn’t mean it’s not number one. While there are many minor illnesses we encounter throughout our lifetime, the symptoms largely fall into two categories: nausea/vomiting and cold/flu (coughing, sneezing, congestion, sore throat). Depending on your symptoms, try the teas listed below. And hey, if you, too, receive tea gifts on special occasions, I’m confident you have at least one of them lying around your kitchen. 

To combat nausea: Peppermint, licorice root, lemon, ginger and chamomile are at the top of the list of teas that help alleviate the icky feeling of nausea. Peppermint contains antibacterial properties that help eliminate microbes that make you nauseous, while licorice root’s antimicrobial properties help detox the stomach of irritants. On the other hand, lemon stimulates the bowels and helps to rid the body of unwanted substances wreaking havoc on the body. Both ginger and chamomile possess soothing properties and help to relax the stomach and abdomen, which decreases nausea. 

If you’re fighting cold or flu symptoms: Lemon, elderberry, Echinacea, green and peppermint round out the best teas for those days when your nose won’t stop running, and your throat feels like it’s on fire. Lemon is high in vitamin C, and when you’re fighting a virus, vitamin C is a significant component in helping you get better. Lemon has also been used for generations when fighting sore throats, but most of that evidence is anecdotal. Oh, well, I swear by it. Elderberry has been shown to have antiviral and antimicrobial properties, and it’s been effective in decreasing the amount of time people suffer from flu symptoms. Both echinacea and green tea are high in antioxidants, which help boost your body when fighting an infection by providing immune support. Peppermint’s antibacterial properties and soothing sensations help fight off harmful bacteria and relieve aches and pains caused by cold and flu symptoms.

2. Take a hot shower (and make it steamy)

Whether you’re feeling nauseous or suffering from a sinus infection, there’s nothing better than a hot shower. But to take a step further, don’t turn on your bathroom fan and let the steam fill the bathroom. You can even stuff a towel under the door to ensure the maximum amount of steam. The moisture in the air helps to clear the sinuses and removes toxins from the skin. If you want to take it a step further, you can incorporate aromatherapy by using a shower tab or dropping some essential oils on your shower floor. 

3. Ginger

Ginger does more for nausea than it does for cold and flu symptoms, but they still provide benefits. There’s a reason ginger ale is the drink of choice when you’re feeling under the weather. Ginger has been shown to help with bloating, gas, headaches, infections, nausea, motion sickness and more. 

One of my favorite tea gifts was a delicious box of ginger tea that helped me deal with the effects of a particularly bad menstrual cycle. I experienced an unusual amount of nausea before my period arrived, and ginger tea helped keep me functioning. It was also my mom’s go-to to help soothe my and my brother’s terrible bouts of car sickness. A bag of crystallized ginger was a must on all our road trips. You can also make your own tea right from the root. All you need is a pot, one cup of water per one inch of ginger root, and simmer the concoction for five minutes. 

4. Acupressure

Did you know the body has pressure points that, when pressed, have been shown to alleviate physical symptoms like nausea? While acupuncture practitioners place special needles in the pressure points to help their clients heal from ailments, acupressure can be done by yourself at home. Simply do a Google search of the location of pressure points on the body and start giving yourself an at-home consultation. 

Of course, if you’re feeling extremely ill, you must consult your doctor. But if your symptoms are annoying but manageable, I highly recommend trying these home remedies.