Take Care of Your Cold with Commissary- Sourced DIY Recipes

‘Tis the season for colds, flu and generally feeling run down. While loading up on all the meds seems like a great course of action, sometimes whipping up a homemade remedy is just what the doctor ordered.

Take Care of Your Cold with Commissary- Sourced DIY Recipes

All you need to DIY your own at-home treatments starts with a trip to the commissary.

Feel Better, No Meds Needed

Start your day off with a little extra pep in your step, or just getting back to feeling semi-normal again.

Grab your favorite brand of eucalyptus or tea tree soap and hop in the shower. Johnson’s Soothing Vapor Bath for Babies is also great for adults, too. Lather up and breath deeply.

The steam from the shower combined with the scent of the soap will help to open your sinuses. You’ll feel better!

If you have more time, or you’re taking a sick day, draw a nice, hot detox bath. Add in some Epsom salts, essential oils and more of your preferred cold-remedy bath gel. Close the bathroom door to trap the steam and soak away your cares, plus also hopefully your cold.

If you don’t have time for a soak or a shower, you can set up a steam inhalation kit at home. Boil water and then pour the very hot water into a bowl. Position your nose and mouth over the bowl, draping a towel around your head and the bowl to trap the steam. Close your eyes and inhale deeply.

Everyone remembers the classic smell of Vick’s VapoRub from their childhood. Perhaps wafting off of a grandparent nightly? That go-to grandma cold remedy is still totally legit. Bonus: it comes in more scents than just the classic eucalyptus, too. Slather that on your chest, back and feet. Breath deeply.

At night, steam up your room with a humidifier. You can pick up one at the Commissary. Add a Vick’s humidifier insert for extra soothing effects.

Rest Up to Heal Yourself

The best remedy for winter colds and flu season is to simply rest.

Seriously, take a sick day. Cuddle up on the couch, sip soup and tea (see recipes below). Take a bath. Do nothing.

Healing yourself takes time. Taking a day to do nothing other than rest and heal is essential to getting better.

Plus, your co-workers will thank you for not spreading germs around the office.

Cook Up Your Cold & Flu Remedies!

Grandma was also right about chicken soup being great for a cold. Science has shown that there are real benefits to enjoying your favorite bowl of chicken soup, noodles or rice optional.

Seriously, the recipe you use doesn’t matter. Here’s the one we use:

Ingredients:

• cooked chicken, chunked or shredded
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2-3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, chopped
• 2 stalk celery, chopped
• 1 cup corn, fresh or frozen
• other optional veggies: potatoes, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas – literally anything you want to throw in the pot
• 1 carton chicken stock or broth
• oil or butter
• salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, sage

How to:

1. Heat the oil or butter in a large soup pot, then add the onions and celery. Cook until softened, slightly clear and fragrant.
2. Add the celery, corn and other veggies. Cook for 1-2 minutes to combine flavors.
3. Add the chicken and garlic, cook 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
4. Pour in chicken broth, adding water or another carton of broth to your preference. Add salt, pepper and other spices.
5. Heat until boiling then reduce to a simmer until all veggie are tender. Add noodles if desired.
6. Adjust seasoning to taste and serve piping hot!

Yum!

It’s also important to stay hydrated when you’re feeling poorly. Drinking hot tea can help you to feel better, too! Try our simple recipe, based on the original recipe from The Spruce Eats.

Ingredients:

• 8-10 oz hot water
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1-2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp fresh or powdered ginger
• 1/2 tsp turmeric

How to:

1. Heat water to boiling.
2. In a mug, combine all other ingredients. Adjust amounts to preference, but a generous amount of honey is recommended.
3. Grate fresh ginger, if needed, and add to the mug.
4. Add the boiling water and stir to combine. Wait until cool enough to drink and enjoy.

Turmeric has been noted for anti-inflammatory properties generally, but not specific to colds. Ginger is also anti-inflammatory as well as being anti-microbial. Honey also has similar properties, plus the added benefit of specifically being good for relieving coughs and sore throats.

Best of all, you can grab all the essential ingredients for all of these at home cold or flu remedies right at your local Commissary! Brave the trip yourself or ask a sympathetic friend to pick up some essentials for you.

What are your tried-and-true DIY cold or flu remedies? Share your wisdom in the comments!