Frugally Healthy this Cold & Flu Season

The signs are everywhere. There are boxes of Kleenex readily available around the house. More people are absent at group events. Hand sanitizer is conspicuously displayed in public areas. This year, many people are walking around with masks, and reports are all over the media. Yes, cold and flu season is officially here.

Cold and flu season does not just take a toll on your health, it can also take a toll on your wallet. Getting sick is expensive. It can cost you in productivity, time off work, and medical expenses.

The best way to minimize the hit to your wallet this season is to not get sick. Take care of yourself. Get rest. Drink lots of water. Eat lots of healthy foods and vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin C. Of course, wash your hands frequently. But sometimes even the greatest attempts at prevention fail, and you find yourself sick.

If you find yourself with the flu or a cold, consider trying some natural, frugal home remedies. I am obviously not a doctor, and am still very much in the learning stages as far as home remedies are concerned, but below are a few things that have worked well for us, and that I am interested in.

Again you need to take care of yourself. Get plenty of rest. Drink a lot of water. Be sure you are getting your vitamins.

Garlic is full of anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. I use a lot of garlic in our cooking, but garlic's health benefits are most effective when the garlic is raw. The last time I had a head cold, I chomped down a few raw cloves of garlic. It was a lot to swallow, even for a garlic lover like me, but it was helpful to the healing process.

Apple Cider Vinegar has also been effective in our family. Unpasteurized cider vinegar is the most effective, but we have also used it in the pasteurized form. A teaspoon or two of vinegar everyday can be taken everyday as a preventive. We have had success with apple cider vinegar by taking it at the first signs of a cold. It helps thin mucus, is an anti-bacterial, and contains trace minerals. All these benefits help you to get rid of your cold quickly.

Homeopathic medicine is something else that I am interested in learning about. These medicines use small amounts of natural substances to help your body fight off what is making you sick. Traditional medicines most often only help you feel better by treating symptoms. They do not actually fight off the sickness. Homeopaths are available for a large variety of conditions, including the cold and flu. Boiron, a manufacturer of homeopathic medicines, has cold flu products just for children: Boiron Children's Products. Currently on their website there is also $1 off coupon: Boiron Children's Medicines $1 off Coupon. I like that homeopaths are natural and do not cause side effects.

The cold and flu season may be here, but you can minimize the hit to your wallet by first and foremost doing what you can to avoid getting sick. If you do get sick, consider some natural and frugal home remedies to help you recover quickly. Your body and your wallet will thank you.


Photo credit: baalands