Are you sick with a cold or flu? Actually, you don’t need to leave the house to get something to treat your ailments. A few short steps to your kitchen are all you need. You can take advantage of your arsenal for easily accessible natural remedies that can help fight off everyday illnesses.

There are a number of kitchen remedies that can help you combat common ailments. However, it is best to try them one at a time for each illness and not all at once if you really want to maximize the effectiveness of these remedies. Stick to the one that you find works best for you once you’ve experimented with them all.

Colds

Pelargonium

This plant is commonly known as a natural remedy for coughs and colds. It can also help to reduce the duration and severity of colds.

Echinacea

To shorten the duration of cold symptoms, take echinacea in the form of tea, drops, or pills. You should take it within the first day or two of your cold to make it more effective.

Flu Infections

Raw Honey

Due to the honey’s antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, it can be used in treating an illness before you even know what the source of your ailment is. Moreover, it can also help prevent the onset of the flu and other diseases. As soon as you feel the first signs of flu, you can simply take a teaspoon of honey three times a day with some powdered cinnamon. Aside from this, you can also add some honey to your herbal tea to help soothe sore throats and suppress coughs.

Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries boost your immunity. Make a soothing tea by adding elderberry syrup or extract to hot water. Its antiviral properties make it useful for treating influenza and reducing its symptoms. It might even help shorten the duration of your flu infection by as much as three days.

Tea

Tea is the best beverage for flu treatment. Mint tea contains menthol that gives a cooling sensation when ingested while green tea is packed with immunity-boosting antioxidants. It can also help reduce congestion. You can also reduce irritation by drinking any type of tea that contains herbs such as slippery elm and licorice.

Skin Irritation

Calendula

Calendula can be used to help soothe skin irritations, such as eczema.

Tea Tree Oil

The anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree oil can help treat bacterial and fungal infections.

Digestive Issues

Ginger

Ginger root has anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate motion sickness, upset stomach, nausea, and morning sickness. Make your own ginger tea by adding a few slices of raw ginger to boiling water. You can also take it in the form of candied ginger.

Beets

Try eating some fresh steamed beets if you are suffering from constipation. After steaming the beets, don’t drain the water because you can drink it to help you absorb essential vitamins, which can help eliminate body wastes.

Black Tea

Drink black tea if you are suffering from diarrhea. It is rich in tannins, which can help treat diarrhea. Don’t add any milk to your tea until you’re feeling better as it may inhibit the effectiveness of the tea.

Olives

Olives, which also contain tannins, might help to treat diarrhea. Additionally, they can also be used to help mitigate feelings of motion sickness or nausea.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria that can be beneficial for your digestive system. Relieve diarrhea by taking fermented foods rich in probiotics such as yogurt, kimchi, miso paste, kombucha, and raw sauerkraut.