
When sickness hits, it can feel overwhelming—Tylenol, antibiotics, and cold medicine are always pushed as the quick fix. But over time, the more I learned about health and wellness, the more I stepped away from the conventional approach and into a more natural way of supporting our health. Instead of simply suppressing symptoms, we focus on helping the body do what God designed it to do—fight off illness naturally. Whether it’s for ourselves or our kids, we want to strengthen our immune systems rather than just masking symptoms. Here are some natural cold and flu remedies to fight of sickness naturally and strengthen your immunes system with things like elderberry, oregano, and propolis.
One of the biggest misconceptions about illness is that fever is something to fear. In reality, fevers are beneficial—as long as they don’t get dangerously high. A fever is the body’s natural way of killing viruses and bacteria, and we aren’t quick to reach for Tylenol or ibuprofen unless absolutely necessary. Instead, we turn to natural cold and flu remedies that help the body heal efficiently.
Our Go-To Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu Season
1. Elderberry – A Powerful Immune Booster
Elderberry is a staple in our home during the colder months. It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins that help strengthen the immune system. Elderberry has been shown to reduce the duration and severity of colds and flu by boosting the body’s natural defenses. We love the Earthley elderberry syrup, and the kids actually request it straight from the dropper! We also have a local elderberry tincture from Shady Oaks that we like to use.
2. Propolis – Nature’s Antibiotic
Propolis, a resin-like substance made by bees, has powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. It helps combat respiratory infections and soothes sore throats, making it a must-have in our natural medicine cabinet. We like this one.
3. Colloidal Silver – A Natural Antimicrobial
Colloidal silver has been used for centuries as a natural antibiotic. It can help prevent bacterial infections and is often used to support the immune system when fighting off illness. A few drops under the tongue or in water can give your body an extra edge in recovery. You can order colloidal silver here from Amazon or pick it up locally at Shady Oaks.
4. Oil of Oregano – Potent for Infection and Fever
Oil of Oregano was recommended to us by my brother and sister in law and its now our tool when infection tries to kick in. It is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial remedy that we turn to when infection and fever appear. We put a drop under our tongue, and for the kids, we mix a drop in orange juice to make it easier to take. It’s particularly effective against respiratory infections and can help the body fight off illness naturally. We use this one.
Why We Avoid Antibiotics Unless Absolutely Necessary
Antibiotics can be lifesaving in severe bacterial infections, but they are overprescribed for viral illnesses where they provide no benefit. This over prescribing can make kids immune but thats not the biggest downside. One of the major downsides of antibiotics is that one round can wipe out the gut’s beneficial bacteria, and it takes up to a year to replenish what was lost. Since gut health is critical for immunity, we very rarely use antibiotics in our home and instead focus on natural methods that support the body’s ability to fight off infections on its own.
Daily Immune Support – Probiotics, Prebiotics, and a Wholesome Diet
On a daily basis, we focus on supporting our bodies with probiotics and prebiotics using Plexus products to maintain gut health, which plays a crucial role in overall immunity. A wholesome (for the most part) diet rich in whole foods, fruits, and vegetables also helps ensure our bodies have the nutrients needed to function optimally.
Staying Hydrated for Better Immunity
Hydration is another key factor in keeping our immune systems strong. We love using Plexus Hydrate for an extra boost of electrolytes I like the blueberry acai flavor. Another simple and natural way we stay hydrated is by mixing coconut water with a splash of orange juice—it’s refreshing and packed with nutrients!
Bone Broth – A Cold Weather Superfood
During the colder months, we like to drink and eat a lot of bone broth in soups or even hot chocolate for added support. Bone broth is rich in collagen, amino acids, and minerals that help strengthen the gut, support immunity, and keep our bodies warm and nourished during the winter. My kids love bone broth hot cocoa topped with our homemade maple marshmallows; you can find that recipe here!
Work With Your Body, Not Against It
Instead of immediately trying to suppress symptoms, we support the body’s natural healing process. Using remedies like elderberry, propolis, colloidal silver, and oregano oil, we help our family stay resilient and recover faster.
By focusing on boosting the immune system, rather than just masking symptoms, we give our bodies the best chance to heal naturally. What natural remedies for cold and flu season do you use in your home? Let me know in the comments!