How to Stock Your Herbal Medicine Cabinet: the BEST Herbs for Cold and Flu

This post: Medicine cabinet alternatives for cold and flu season. It’s easy + surprisingly affordable to build your own herbal stash.

Nothing feels worse than waking up sick and realizing you don’t have what you need on hand.

Or worse, when your kids wake up sick and your medicine cabinet is empty.

I’m a big believer in being prepared.

During the cold and flu season, especially.

In the middle of a global pandemic most especially.

If you’re wondering what are the BEST herbs for cold and flu you should keep in your medicine cabinet (year-round, preferably), I’ve got you covered.

Read this post, and I promise you won’t find yourself sending an SOS text to your mother-in-law the next time you wake up feeling like crud.

this …

Science-Backed Herbs for Cold and Flu

What I’m going to share with you in this post are the best herbs for cold and flu, as well as simple ideas stocking your own herbal medicine cabinet. It’s easier + more affordable than you probably think!

The key is buying what you need ahead of time. Don’t wait until you’re sick.

—> I’ve included links to helpful, science-based articles, in hopes that you’ll do some reading on this subject too.

The supplements mentioned in this post are ones I keep in my medicine cabinet year-round but reach for more often during the cold and flu season.

And, for the record, I am not a health practitioner. I can’t diagnose or give medical advice.

But I am a natural-living woman who loves to share what I’m learning; read with discretion and make your own educated choices.

How to Build Your Herbal Medicine Cabinet

[List a few ideas + steps for purchasing + storing the herbs mentioned in this post]

{give an overview of what will be shared]

• natural antibiotics
• best herbs for cold and flu
• essential oils to keep on hand
• beneficial herbal teas

Let’s talk about antibiotics.

First off, I’m going to talk about the “big guns.”

Most of us automatically think of reaching for an antibiotic when we’re sick with a fever or flu. {insert research about side effects of pharmaceutic antibiotics here]

The good news, there are lots of effective natural antibiotics.

There are just two important natural antibiotics that I keep on hand year-round. My family uses these often and we have found them very effective against sickness over the years.

Natural Antibiotics

Garlic

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver has been in my herbal medicine cabinet for years.

Silver is known to have anti-inflammatory properties, help heal skin wounds, kill bacteria, fungi, mold and parasites in the body.

It can also prevent and destroy viruses.

We are currently using bioactive silver hydrosol, available in 8 oz, 4 oz, and a nasal spray from Abundant Life Wellness Center.

—> To educate yourself on bioactive colloidal silver, please listen to the following podcast:

Understanding the Clinical Use of Bioactive Colloidal Silver

—> For a general overview of colloidal silver, read this unbiased and thorough article, by Dr. Axe:

Proven Colloidal Silver Benefits or An Unsafe Hoax?

—> And this informative piece, featured at the Huffington Post:

10 Silver Uses and Benefits Backed By Science

More of the BEST Herbs for Cold and Flu

These are the immune boosters that stimulate our systems to attack and kill invaders (like viruses that causes colds and flues). My holistic practitioner advised against over-stimulating the body’s immunity with too many supplements, too often.

With that in mind, we supplement with the following on an alternating basis; we take each of these supplements a few times each week, but not every day.

Vitamin C

My go to vitamin C product for years has been the powdered supplement, Emergen-C (our favorite flavor is orange!).

I’ve noticed that this product has been out of stock a lot on Amazon; thankfully, I’ve been able to find it at our local Super Walmart pharmacy.

On days when we’re supplementing with Vitamin C, I mix an entire packet in a cup of water for myself, and half-a-packet in juice or water for each of my kids.

These chewable vitamin C lozenges, from Beeyoutiful, are a great option, too.

Vitamin C plays a vital role in our body’s ability to absorb calcium, heal wounds, repair tissue and maintain the health of bones and teeth.

Yes, it’s also antiviral.

More reading —> Vitamin C Benefits, by Dr. Axe.

Elderberry

I’ve read various reports regarding elderberry (also known as sambuca), especially as it pertains to the novel coronavirus.

After reviewing these facts, I’ve made the decision to continue using elderberry (alternately, with other supplements) for one reason:

—> The holistic pracitioners who have treated my family for years recommend it, even with the contradicting opinions regarding the coronavirus.

—> Please check out the following articles and make your own decision:

Elderberry and Coronavirus: What You Need To Know

Elderberry’s Anti-Viral Activity: An Update

Worried About Coronavirus? What You Need to Know To Protect Yourself

If you choose to supplement with elderberry, here is where I purchase mine:

• Elderberry lozenges (Beeyoutiful.com)
• Sambucol Elderberry extract (Amazon, may be out of stock at this time)
• Elderberry extract (Abundant Life Wellness Center online store

Vitamin D3

This is one my chiropractor recommended.

I am currently taking vitamin D3 capsules on a daily basis, and giving my kids a liquid vitamin D3 supplement.

I buy my vitamin D, and many other supplements, at Beeyoutiful.com:

• D3 capsules (2000 IU)
• D3 capsults (5000 IU)
• Kids’ chewable Vitamin D
• Liquid D3

—> Further reading: Vitamin D and Immune Function, by The US National Library of Medicine

Turmeric

[insert link to turmeric post + a few key points about its benefits here]

Oregano Oil

We are keeping oregano oil on hand.

Oregano is a natural antibiotic and is active against bacteria, fungi and viruses.

Another way I’ve used it is to add one or two drops (it’s potent! you don’t need much) to a tablespoon of coconut oil, and rub the mixture on the bottom of my kids’ feet. This absorbs into their bodies and acts as a natural antibiotic.

I am personally adding one drop of oregano essential oil to my coconut oil every morning for oil pulling.

Essential Oils

I’m a fan of Eden’s Garden essential oils.

(I also use DoTerra and Young Living products, and honestly don’t have a favorite EO brand- but Eden’s Garden oils are much more affordable).

I’ve been using a humidifier (like this one) in my kids’ bedrooms for weeks, long before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

I add 6 to 8 drops of Eden’s Garden “Breath Easier“ blend to support my kids’ respiratory health during the allergy season.

With the onset of the Coronavirus, I’ve switched to the “Fighting Five” blend, which contains the same oils as the popular Thieves blend (lemon, cinnamon, clove, eucalyptus, and rosemary).

Check out the “Fighting Five” collection from Eden’s Garden.

Teas to Keep on Hand

Throat Coat

Olive Leaf Tea

Peppermint Tea

Want to learn more?

Read Herbal Anivirals, by Stephen Harrod Buhner.