16 Remedies for Treating a Common Cold

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The common cold is a virus, or rather, lots of viruses - over 200, to be more specific. As a virus it is not curable, and since there are so many strains there’s not a way to make a vaccine like there is with the flu.

When you catch a cold the virus attaches itself to the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and essentially hijacks the cells that live there, forcing them to replicate more virus cells. It’s all quite sinister really.

When your body tries to fight off the virus the symptoms pop up, like coughing, sneezing, a sore throat, general congestion and mild fatigue. Remedies are aimed at easing these symptoms to help keep you comfortable while your stalwart immune system battles the virus away.

Many of the home remedies for colds listed below can be altered to fit your preferences (e.g. a different essential oil, more or less spiciness in the decongestant, etc. etc.)

There may be some overlap with remedies for a sore throat or a cough, but I try and offer some variety here. Eventually you’ll have your own go-to remedies and recipes.

Treating a Common Cold #1- Hot Ginger Tea

This is one of the best teas to sip when you’re feeling stuffed up and yucky. The ginger is delicious, warming, a just a little spicy.

Aromatic constituents such as capsaicin (found in chilies) or piperine (found in black pepper) are part of a family of compounds that provide numerous healing benefits.

In ginger the compound of that family is called gingerol (original, right?), and it helps relieve congestion in a couple of ways.

First, it lessens inflammation of mucous membranes that line the nasal passages and the sinus cavity, and this inflammation contributes greatly to the build-up of pressure and congestion.

When the swelling goes down, mucous can flow out instead of getting all jammed up. Although slightly less scientific, there’s also the fact that its spiciness has enough of a kick that it can just perfectly loosen up built up phlegm.

The tea itself is wonderful for you because you’re getting extra fluids, which your body needs desperately when fighting off an illness, and breathing in the steam vapors can also help loosen up any congestion you may be expecting.

The below recipe is for an infusion, rather than a decoction (which is when you actively steep the herb in simmering water), but you can do either or.

You will need…

-6-8 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger root
-A pinch of cinnamon (optional)
-A squirt of lemon juice (optional)
-A dash of honey (optional)
-4 cups of freshly boiled water
-A glass jar (at least 1 quart)

Directions

Place the ginger in a 1 quart glass and sprinkle in some cinnamon if you are using it. Bring the water to a rolling boil, and then carefully pour it into the jar to cover the ginger.

Steep for 30-40 minutes, and be sure to cover your jar-this is important because it keeps all that evaporating essential oil goodness right where it belongs - in your cup!

Strain (use hot mitts or a towel as the jar may still be quite warm) and then pour yourself a piping fresh mug. You may find that you want to reheat the tea slightly.

Add honey and lemon if you are using them, sip and savor, and be sure to breathe in the steam. Store the rest of the tea in the fridge for up to 24 hours, reheating and drinking 3 times throughout the day.

Treating a Common Cold #2 - Essential Steam

One beautiful almost instant fix for a stuffy nose is to steam it out. This is a favorite remedy of mine and worth repeating in numerous remedy lists. You can glean the benefits of steam by breathing it in from a mug of hot tea, taking a hot shower, or filling a bowl with a hot water and adding an essential oil.

The best essential oils to use for this are the strong ones like tea tree, peppermint, or eucalyptus (tea tree and eucalyptus being the best in my opinion.)

The anti-bacterial/anti-viral properties of tea tree oil can be carried via the steam, which will help fight off any bug that you’re battling. Both tea tree and eucalyptus are, of course, rather strong smelling, which also helps dislodge congestion.

You will need…

-5-10 drops of eucalyptus, tea tree oil, or a combination
-A heatproof bowl
-Boiling water
-A towel

Directions

Put the essential oils in the bottom of the bowl and then pour in several cups of boiling water. Start by putting your face over the bowl at a comfortable distance - steam can do some damage if you aren’t careful. Eventually have your face directly about the bowl as close as comfortably possible.  

Drape the towel over your head to trap all that healing steam, and take deep breaths. Resurface as needed if you become too warm. Have some tissues handy to blow your nose after!

Repeat 2-3 times daily, adjusting the amount of essential oil to your preferences. Some people find that too much will make their eyes water, so start with less.

Treating a Common Cold #3 - Go with a Classic Cure

I love old time home remedies - the ones that we don’t need to question on chemical level, picking apart why they work or why they don’t work. They simply are, just as they have been for generations, and just as they will be for years to come.

One of these classic home remedies for colds is comprised of three familiar ingredients – garlic, lemon and honey.

You can combine them in more involved ways if you wish, but this recipe is about as simple as it gets. It’s particularly useful for a cold that is accompanied by a sore throat and a dry cough.

You will need…

-1 medium clove of garlic
-1 lemon
-1 teaspoon of honey
-Warm water

Directions

Crush up the garlic clove and place it in a glass along with the juice from the lemon. Top it off with the honey (you can add more to taste if you like) and then top it off with warm water. Give it a stir, and then drink entirely. Repeat 2-3 times a day for the duration of your symptoms.

Treating a Common Cold #4 - Make a Honey-Onion Syrup

This recipe is great for cold that come with a nasty cough. The honey is wonderful for healing a sore throat while the onion works its wonders through antibacterial and anti-inflammatories actions. It can also help loosen up phlegm deep in the chest.

You will need…

-1 red or yellow onion OR 1 head to ½ head of garlic

-Roughly a cup of organic raw honey or roughly a cup OR roughly a half of granulated white sugar or brown sugar*

-A jar or something similar with a tight fitting lid that will comfortably but snugly hold your onion.

*the amounts may vary slightly with the size of container you use*

Why red/yellow onion or garlic: Onion is contains a milder form of some of the active components in garlic, but both strengthen the immune system, work as natural anti-biotics, anti-inflammatories, and expectorants (they loosen up mucous so you can cough it up.)

Why honey: If you have a dry cough, honey is great for soothing itchy and irritated throats. It’s also a natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal wonder ingredient (although hopefully if you have a cough you won’t need the anti-fungal part.)

Why brown sugar/white sugar: A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down right? Besides making this syrup a little easier to swallow, it can help thicken the syrup up a bit.

Directions

Slice the onion evenly. Place the base of the onion in your jar, and then pour honey in a layer over it (or cover in a layer of sugar, if that’s your sweetener of choice.) Continue to alternate layering the onion and sweetener.

When you’re finished, cover tightly and let it sit overnight out on the counter, or for 8-12 hours. After it has sat out, there will now be liquid in the jar. Use a spoonful as needed to control your cough (3 spoonful’s an hour, if needed.)

You can use both the honey and brown sugar if you like, just adjust the layering accordingly, and remember that it will be sweeter!

If you choose to use garlic, unlike onion, there is no exact amount to put in. Start with 9-12 cloves or so roughly chopped and find your flavor balance from there. Just remember you shouldn’t use too little; otherwise it won’t work as well.

Directions for kids

If you have a child too young to have honey, don’t despair because every single home cough remedy seems to have honey in it! The above recipe can be safely made for youngsters-just omit the honey and use only the sugar.

Note: This syrup should be used fresh. After you make it, you can store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. After that, just whip up another batch.

Flavor tips

- Red onion lends itself to a slightly milder tasting syrup, and generally goes better with brown sugar (in my opinion) while a regular yellow onion tends to taste a bit stronger, and blends a little more with white sugar.

- Feel free to leave out the sugar and just use honey, or vice versa.

- If onion or garlic sounds scary to you, I promise, it’s so, so, so much better than over-the-counter stuff!

Onion Tip

I get so bleary and teary eyed when I chop onions, I can barely see where I am putting the knife. If already have a bad cough, I really don’t need the stinging eyes, or a missing finger.

To avoid this problem, you can put the onions in the refrigerator before cutting them or you dip the onions in the water while cutting them.

Treating a Common Cold #5 – Mullein

This might be a home remedy that you’re tempted to pass over because you don’t recognize the name of the herb. It’s too much of a bother to try and figure out what the heck mullein is and you’d much rather just go for the apple cider vinegar or something you can pull off the spice rack, right?

While that is nice, the beauty of the internet is that you can get these herbs and other ingredients without having to hunt down an obscure natural health store somewhere across the state border.

Mullein is a biennial (grows every other year) plant that can be found alongside roads in temperate climates, or zones 5-9 in the United States. It is tall, with small yellow flowers and leaves that start out soft and downy.

It is an EXCELLENT expectorant, which means it thins out and loosens up phlegm so you can cough it out. This is very helpful if you have a lot of congestion, particularly in the chest. It works very well when combined with other expectorants, such as thyme, which is added here as well.

You will need…

-1-2 tablespoons of dried mullein OR 4-6 tablespoons fresh (flowers or flowers/leaves)
-2 1/2 teaspoons of dried thyme OR 5 teaspoons fresh
-1-1 ½ cups of fresh water
-Honey/lemon to taste

Directions

Place your herbs in a large mug and bring water to a rolling boil. Pour over the herbs and cover, steeping for 15-20 minutes. Strain, stir in honey or lemon if you’re using it, and savor each healing sip. Drink 2-3 times daily to help clear up congestion.

Treating a Common Cold #6 – Make a Simple Syrup

No…not the kind that’s just sugar and water, but truly medicinal healing syrup that is wonderful and tasty and oh-so satisfying to make. Syrups are great for kids as they are much more inclined to take them rather than trying to get them to drink a bitter tea.

Syrups are, actually, just a boiled down extra strong medicinal tea with some honey. They are one of my all-time favorite things to make and are easy to take, even when your throat is aching and you have no appetite.

This particular syrup includes marshmallow root, licorice root, cinnamon, and ginger. Ok so this syrup isn’t the sweetest of examples, but it is effective! 

Marshmallow root and licorice root are infamous for helping soothe racking coughs and sore throats, as they are rich in mucilage which provides a soothing coating for the mucous membranes. Cinnamon and ginger help with congestion, flavor, and pain-relief.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon licorice root
-1 tablespoon marshmallow root
-1 tablespoon ground cinnamon OR 6 cinnamon sticks
-1 tablespoon chopped ginger
-4 cups of water
-1 cup of organic raw honey
-Strainer
-Glass jar with a tightly sealing lid

Directions

Mix together the herbs, cinnamon, and ginger and then add it to a saucepan along with 4 cups of cold water. Over low heat simmer the mixture until it has been reduced by half.

Strain the herbs and then pour the liquid back into the pot. Over the lowest level of heat stir in the honey and let it sit, bubbling gently, for 10 minutes.

Remove from the heat and bottle, being sure to label the date you made the batch on. Take a maximum of 1-2 tablespoons 3 times daily for relief from coughing, sore throat, and congestion. In the refrigerator this will last for 3-4 weeks.

Treating a Common Cold #7 – Make Your Own Healing Inhaler

DIY inhalers may sound a little…sketchy, but I love them. They’ve saved my tush on more than one occasion when I got bogged down with a bad cold, and they are a fabulous way to utilize essential oils.

They also allow you to bring the benefits of your essential oils pretty much everywhere you go. This cold and flu inhaler is perfect when traveling or for use at home.

For Adults

You will need…

-1 blank inhaler
-5-7 drops of Eucalyptus
-4 drops of Black Spruce
-5 drops of Tea Tree
-2 drops of Lavender
-1 drop of Lime

For Children (Over 5 Years of Age)

You will need…

-1 drop of eucalyptus
-2 drops of black spruce
-4 drops of tea tree
-2 drops of lavender
-1 drop of lemon or lime

Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus does an incredible job at really opening up your sinuses and clearing out any congestion. It’s a lifesaver with anything “stuffy.”

Black Spruce: The wonderful aroma of black spruce will also open up your sinuses, and is one of the best antispasmodic essential oils out there (meaning it will really calm down a cough.) if you have a cough in which you are coughing up mucous or phlegm, do not suppress it.

Tea Tree: The antimicrobial master of essential oils (well maybe not there is no “master” oil, but it’s still pretty incredible.) When you inhale the tea tree oil you inhale the airborne particles that will help actively wipe out the germs that are making your sick.

Lavender (add at night): Use the soothing lavender if you want to use this inhaler to help you sleep, and it’s wonderful, soothing aroma will help you drift off and make it through the night.

Lime: Lime essential oil helps boost your immune system by increasing white blood cell production.

Substitutes: Pine needle or fir for black spruce, mandarin or lemon for lime. You can use these substitutes if you happen to be missing one of the other and have these on hand.

Directions

There are 2 ways to go about setting up your inhaler. The first is to pre-mix your oils in a small, narrow, glass bottle. You can then insert the cotton and allow it to soak up the oils. The problem with this method is that you will leave some oil behind.

The other method is to drop the oils directly onto the cotton after you place it inside the inhaler. They come out fast, so go slowly and carefully-an extra drop or two isn’t a big deal! After you cap the inhaler swirl it around to pick up any oil that may have stuck to the sides.

To use, hold the inhaler up to one nostril, plugging the other with your finger. Take 1 deep breath in and remove the inhaler before breathing out. Repeat with the other nostril.

Use every 4 hours as needed for acute flue and cold symptoms. If you use your inhaler once a day it will last anywhere from 3-6 months. The shelf life is up to 1 year, but if left out in heat, uncapped, or in direct light, you may notice the potency goes downs.

Treating a Common Cold #8 – Chest Salve

There’s a good recipe for making your own vapor rub here, but this simple blend can be whipped up in a hurry if you’re running short on time, ingredients, or just feel to crummy to do anything else.

While I prefer the former recipe, this works well if you just want a little something to use in conjunction with a hot water bottle.

The menthol in the essential oil is what creates the cooling sensation that makes you feel like you can breathe easier, even when you’re all stuffed up.

You will need…

-1/2 cup of coconut oil
-15 drops of peppermint essential oil
-An airtight container

Directions

Over a double boiler, melt down the coconut oil. Remove from the heat and pour it into a heat safe airtight container. Add the essential oils, stir, and seal off while it cools.

Once it has completely cooled, simply rub a little on your chest or under your nose (be careful not touch your eyes-I have rubbed peppermint essential oil in my eye before and it is not pleasant!) This will keep in a cool dark place out of direct sunlight up to 3 years.

Treating a Common Cold #9 – Loosen Up With Heat

A good old fashioned hot water bottle can help loosen phlegm and really deep congestion in the chest. The gentle steady warmth will loosen up your muscles, and soften up the phlegm to help it come up.

It’s a very simple, non-invasive home remedy that is very soothing. If you like, you can rub a little of the above salve on your chest to increase effectiveness.

You will need…

-A hot water bottle
-A piece of soft flannel or similar fabric

Directions

I am very particular about how I fill my hot water bottles - you don’t have to be as meticulous, but I’ll share my favorite method anyways.

Start with hot water (it doesn’t have to be steaming hot - whatever your comfort level is really) and fill the bottle half-way. “Burp” it to get the air out, and then continue filling almost to the top, leaving 1-2 inches of space at the top. It shouldn’t be a hot hard lump; it should be a little squishy.

This way it rests easily across whatever surface you’re laying it on, and I find it more comfortable. Wrap it in a thin piece of flannel or something similar (I often find towels much too thick) and lay it on your back between your shoulder blades.

You can also rest it on your chest if you prefer. Try keeping your head a little propped up if you have a really stuffed up nose. Who knew hot water bottles could be so involved?

Treating a Common Cold #10 – Sinus Clearing Bath Salt

No, I am not referring to an illicit drug. Making up a blend of scented bath salt is a wonderful way to ease a tired, sick, body and clear up congestion.

It’s the perfect thing you need when you’re trying to get over a nasty cold, especially if you happen to be stricken during the frigid winter months. The aromatherapy combined with the relaxing warmth of the bath just can’t be beat!

This recipe calls for a simple combination of classic cold-curing essential oils, but you can mix and match and come up with your own personal favorite blend.

You will need…

-1 cup of Epsom salt
-3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
-3 drop of peppermint essential oil
-3 drops of lavender essential oil
-A small dish for blending
-A glass airtight container, or a PET plastic one

Directions

Pour the salt into your container and, in a different dish, blend the essential oils. Add the oils to the salt and stir thoroughly with a spoon. When taking a bath fill the tub half way, add 2-3 tablespoons of salt, and fill it up the rest of the way. Breathe deeply and relax!

Treating a Common Cold #11 – Make It Hot

If you’re someone who can take the heat of hot peppers, munching on one is a temporary way to take out congestion fast. The constituent in peppers that makes them spicy is called capsaicin and, in addition to numerous other benefits, it can help loosen up mucous so you can expel it.

Of course there’s also the fact that something about the spiciness just seems to knock it out, natural expectorant abilities or not.

You will need…

-1 hot pepper

Directions

Fairly straightforward-take a bite of the pepper, or just eat some spicy foods. Consuming a spicy broth is also wonderful, as you get the fluids, the heat and steam, AND the expectorant actions.

Treating a Common Cold #12 – Sore Throat Gargle

To help clear up a sore throat, gargle with a mixture of sage, apple cider vinegar, and salt.

The salt, through that magical force we call osmosis, will draw excess fluid out of the tissues in your throat that has been causing uncomfortable swelling.

The apple cider vinegar may help to kill off the bug, but even if it doesn’t, it still seems to help with the pain.

Sage is a wonderful herb when it comes to colds. It is astringent, which means it will also help draw excess fluid out of tissues, and anti-bacterial. The amount of sage used results in a very concentrated tea-it isn’t the tastiest infusion, but it is good at its job.

You will need…

-1 cup of apple cider vinegar
-4 tablespoons of dried sage or 8 tablespoons fresh
-1 teaspoon of salt
-1 cup of water
-A glass jar with a tightly fitting lid (should hold 2 cups of liquid.)

Directions

Place sage leaves at the bottom of a mug and cover with 1 cup of boiling water. Steep for 15 minutes, covered. While the sage steeps, pour 1 cup of apple cider vinegar into your jar and sprinkle in the salt.

When fully infused, strain the sage tea and add into the apple cider vinegar. Gargle a mouthful at least 3 times daily for pain relief. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Treating a Common Cold #13 – Rock on With Radish

Just a plain ‘ol spicy radish will do the trick here. This delightfully crisp, spicy vegetable is both anti-septic and full of vitamins and minerals.

While horseradish is the more powerful decongestant, regular garden radish works just as well for some people-especially those who are sensitive to spice.

If you find yourself feeling stuffed up, eat a couple of these little gems and you may be pleasantly surprised to find yourself clearing up in no time.

You will need…

-2-3 radishes

Directions

Eat 2-3 radishes twice daily to help with congestion. I like to keep mine in the refrigerator at all times so they are extra cool and crispy and go down easily.

Treating a Common Cold #14 – Less-Involved Elderberry Syrup

There is a more involved version of elderberry syrup in the Everyday Roots Book that I absolutely love, but sometimes you just need a simple version.

Sometimes the list of ingredients and the process can deter people, but it really is a lovely remedy-and delicious to boot.

Elderberry is great for anything cold related, as it lessens inflammation of the mucous membranes, allowing you to breathe better and relieving congestion.

It can shorten the duration of the cold, and potentially keep your immune system in better shape should another bug try to strike while you’re down.

The mucilage constituent may also help with a sore throat that’s been ravaged by coughs or one that’s just downright painful.

Be sure to only use what is commonly called black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), as other members of the family can be toxic. Do not eat raw elderberries in any form.

You will need…

-a generous 1/2 cup of dried elderberries
-3 cups of water
-A generous 1 cup of honey
-Mason jar
-Saucepan
-Strainer

Directions

Put your berries and water in the saucepan and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 50 minutes. Strain the liquid through a strainer, making sure to use the back of a spoon the push any extra liquid out of the berries.

Add one heaping cup of raw honey to the liquid once it has cooled to roughly room temperature and stir until it is combined thoroughly. Bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Take 1 tablespoon daily to prevent illness for adults and 1 teaspoon daily to children old enough to safely have honey. If you have a cold, take the dosing every 3-4 hours until recovery.

Treating a Common Cold #15 – You’re Golden

Goldenseal grows wild in the damp mountainous regions of North America, where the ground is covered in dead leaves that feed the rich soil it plants its roots in.

Native American’s prized goldenseal, and would mix it with bear fat to use as insect repellant, or make it into a lotion of sorts for wounds or even sore eyes.

An astringent and antibacterial herb, it is also wonderful at working on the mucous membranes, which are obviously adversely affected when it comes to the common cold.

It’s antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties are most likely contributed by its isoqinoline alkaloids (berbine*, canadine, and hydrastine.)

In a very broad sense, the isoqinoline simply refers to the structural backbone of the alkaloids, which are nitrogen-based organic compounds found in the plant.

Sadly, goldenseal has been extremely over-harvested, so do get yours from a sustainable reputable source.

*Berbine can stimulate contractions, so do not take goldenseal in any form if you are pregnant.

You will need…

-1 cup of fresh water
-2 teaspoons of dried goldenseal
-Honey or lemon to taste

Directions

Place the goldenseal in a mug and cover with fresh boiling water. Steep, and then covered, for about 10 to15 minutes. Stir in honey and lemon to taste, and drink 2-3 times daily.

Treating a Common Cold #16 – Rub it Out

Acupressure is a wonderful way to relieve discomfort for a number of ailments, and colds are no exceptions.

If you are experiencing sinus pressure or discomfort with your cold, there are three main pressure points that you can utilize to relieve the pressure and release congestion.

Your sinus cavities are mucosa lined air filled pockets located within the bones of the face and skull. Each one opens into a corresponding nasal meatus (aka, nasal passage.) There is the superior meatus, middle meatus, and inferior meatus.

When your sinuses fill up with mucous and become inflamed, not only is breathing obstructed, you will also have a face full of pressure and pain.

By triggering the right pressure points, you can open up the blocked sinus cavities and open up your nasal passages, relieving pressure and releasing blocked congestion.

B2: B2 is on the bladder meridian, and will affect your frontal sinuses, which are located behind the brow ridges. This point itself is located in the indents of your upper eye sockets, on either side of the bridge of your nose where it meets the ridge of your eyebrows.

Rest your index fingers alongside your nose with the tips in the indents, and gradually apply pressure, holding the points for 2-3 minutes. Towards the end, gradually lighten the pressure. Breathe deeply.

LI20: LI20, or large intestine 20, will open up and relieve the maxillary sinuses. The maxillary sinuses are the largest, and are typically what you think of when you think of sinus pressure.

The point is located underneath your eyes, just beneath the cheekbones. You will find if you press up there will be a little indent that may or may not feel a little tender.

A gentle pressure is all that is needed here. Hold the points for 2-3 minutes, gradually increasing the pressure, and lightning it at the end. Breathe deeply.

St3: St3, or stomach 3, also relieves the maxillary sinuses. The points are located just a little bit further out and a tad below LI20.

You can apply pressure to St3 at the same time as LI20, which can sometimes have a greater effect. Also hold the points for 2-3 minutes, gradually increasing pressure and then decreasing it at the end. Breathe deeply.

You can also watch this Video HERE to learn about other home remedies for treating a common cold

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

11 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Canker Sores

Click HERE to Discover the 215+ Home Remedies, NaturalBeauty Recipes & DIY Household Products

Apthous stomatitis, more commonly known as canker sores, are mysterious mouth ulcers that have plagued most people at some point in their lives.

I say “mysterious” because it’s not totally known what causes these pesky painful spots on the inside of the mouth, although biting your cheek/inside of your lip, braces rubbing, stress, genetics, and a malfunctioning immune response are all possible contributors.

Starting as a red patch of oval skin, they’ll typically become increasingly inflamed and develop a white or yellow-ish spot in the middle.

Now, how to get rid of canker sores?

With a handful of natural ingredients, it’s not difficult to find ways to soothe the pain they cause (and make it so you can chew your food normally and talk without a lisp, which are also important things to consider.)

Get Rid of Canker Sores #1 - DIY Numbing Spray

Peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil both have anti-inflammatory properties, while also possibly working as anti-microbial agents (thus reducing chance of infection.)

They also act as astringents to help tighten the tissues around the wound, relieving further discomfort caused by swelling or potential fluid build-up. The cooling properties of both of these oils can also numb the nerve endings that are firing off.

You will need…

-2 tablespoons of olive or grapeseed oil
-10 drops of peppermint essential oil
-8 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
-A glass mister bottle

Directions

Pour the olive or grapeseed oil into a glass mister bottle, and add the essential oils. Cap, shake well, and spray some directly onto the canker sore as needed for pain relief. Shake before each use.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #2 - Chamomile Tea Bag

Chamomile consists of several daisy-like plants that are most commonly used to induce sleep, promote relaxation, and help with digestion - it works a treat with cramping since it can help relax painful spasms in the digestive track.

A chemical compound called bisabolol, or levomenol, is found naturally in German chamomile, and has been shown to reduce inflammation and also have antiseptic properties. Both of these properties will help reduce the pain of canker sores and potentially help speed the healing process.

You will need…

-1 bag of chamomile tea, or a tablespoon of dried flowers wrapped in cheesecloth
-Fresh water

Directions

Soak the chamomile in water for 1 minute or so if using a teabag, and 3-4 if using dried flowers. After soaking place it directly against the sore for 5-10 minutes twice daily to help relieve discomfort and promote speedy healing.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #3 - Swish Sage

Sage is an herb from the evergreen shrub, Salvia officinalis, in the mint family. It used widely in the culinary world, and has also been prevalent in homeopathic medicine and home remedies for years.

Native Americans used sage long before modern medicine to help cleanse the mouth, and to heal the painful ulcers that we now know as canker sores.

You will need…

-A handful of fresh sage OR 2 teaspoons dried sage
-4-8 ounces of fresh water

Directions

If you are using dried sage, boil your water and allow the herb to infuse for 10 minutes. Swish the water, and the herb, in your mouth for 1 minute before spitting it out and rinsing with plain cold water.

You can also make a tea-type rinse with fresh leaves, but I prefer the following method.

Place your sage leaves in an airtight glass jar in a cool dark place and allow them to infuse for 24 hours. Swish the liquid (sans the sage) in your mouth for 1 minute. Lightly pound the soft, moist leaves to a pulp and then place the pulp directly over the sore for 5 minutes. Rinse with plain cold water.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #4 - Coconut Oil

When in doubt, use coconut oil! Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and also incredibly tasty, coconut oil is almost fail-safe when it comes to getting rid of canker sores.

You will need…

-Coconut oil

Directions

Using clean hands or a cotton swab, dab a liberal amount of coconut oil onto the sore. Try to get a somewhat thick layer or clump on there-coconut oil melts rapidly and a thin layer just seems to slide right off.

If you feel like you really can’t get it to stick, melt 1 tablespoon down with ½ teaspoon or so of beeswax to thicken it.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #5 - Clove Oil Cotton Ball

Clove oil contains eugenol, a potent painkiller, and has been used by dentists throughout decades to bring relief to patients.

All those old-time depictions you see of dentists with giant pliers and their patients appearing to be in agony? They clearly forgot the clove oil.

Eugenol is still used today, although in a pure extracted form, but clove oil remains useful for oral pain ranging from toothaches to canker sores.

You will need…

-1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
-4-5 drops of clove essential oil
-Cotton balls
-Warm water/salt water

Directions

Swish your mouth with warm water or salt water to get the area clean, allowing the clove oil to really sink in and do its job. Mix the clove oil with the olive oil and then soak a cotton ball in it. Apply the cotton ball directly to the sore for 5-8 minutes for numbing relief.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #6 - Honey Rub

With its antibacterial, and potentially anti-inflammatory, properties, raw organic honey makes a wonderfully soothing coating for a painful canker sore.

You will need…

-A wee dab of organic raw honey
-Warm water

Directions

Swish some warm water in your mouth, and then apply a thick dab of organic raw honey directly to the sore. Reapply 2-3 times daily (at least one of those times should be before night, as it seems to do best when you aren’t bothering it by talking or eating.)

Get Rid of Canker Sores #7 - Wax Cap

If you have a sore that keeps rubbing against your tooth, or if you have braces and or dentures that are irritating the sore, putting a little wax “capping” over the surface can help reduce irritating friction against the sore and help speed up the healing time.

If you are placing this over braces, it’s important to make it thick enough that it doesn’t just get ground into the brace and stuck.

You will need…

-1 tablespoon of beeswax
-2 teaspoons of coconut oil

Directions

Melt down the beeswax and coconut oil and allow the mixture to cool slightly. When it has cooled, gently press a dollop over the edge of your tooth/braces/dentures to protect the canker sore from rubbing.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #8 - Cayenne “Cream”

Cayenne contains a substance called capsaicin, which is the same chemical constituent that makes it “hot.”

Capsaicin can inhibit something called Substance P, which is responsible for mediating pain responses in the body. Because of this, cayenne makes a great home remedy for canker sores, even though it sounds like the opposite thing you’d want to use!

You will need…

-Cayenne pepper
-Warm water
-Cotton swabs

Directions

Mix just enough warm water with ground cayenne pepper to form a thick paste. Use a cotton swab to apply directly to the canker sore. Reapply 2-3 times daily for pain relief.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #9 - Aloe Rinse

The king (or queen) of soothing plants-aloe! The gel from this magnificent plant wields mighty powers when it comes to soothing not just sunburn, but canker sores as well. Make sure you use natural gel-not the green kind.

You will need…

-1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel
-1 tablespoon of water

Directions

Stir the gel into the water and swish it gently over the sore 3 time’s day to ease the pain and facilitate healing.

Get Rid of Canker Sores #10 - Eat Yogurt

Yogurt is made from fermented milk- delicious, yes? It is produced by bacterial fermentation, that is, using bacteria or yeast to convert carbohydrates into organic acids. The result is a tangy bacteria rich substance that is enjoyed worldwide.

You most often hear of it restoring a healthy balance to gut flora, but eaten daily yogurt may one of the home remedies for canker sores you find yourself going to frequently.

It’s a simple healthy remedy that may help because it balances out bacteria in your mouth which, if it was out of balance, may contribute to or cause a canker sore.

You will need…

-Plain yogurt with live cultures

Directions

Make sure the label on the yogurt confirms that it contains live cultures, and make sure you get plain-not vanilla! Eat at the very minimum 1 tablespoon 3 times daily. I usually eat around a cup and add a little bit of raw honey for taste and an extra healing boost!

Get Rid of Canker Sores #11 - Warm Salt Water

When the salt content around cells is greater on the outside than the inside osmosis takes place, with water being drawn from in the cells to help balance out the concentration. When water is drawn out, the painful puffiness that excess fluid can cause is diminished.

If you have a canker sore that is really puffed up that keeps rubbing or that you keep biting, gargling with salt water can help greatly.

This is also why salt water gargle help with a sore throat - reducing the painful swelling of the cells in the mucous membrane at the back of the throat. The warm water also produces a general sense of soothing relief, while the salt may help keep the area clean.

You will need…

-1/4 cup of warm salt water
-1/2 teaspoon of salt

Directions

Stir the salt into the warm water and swish it around in your mouth 3 times daily until the canker sore is gone.

You can also watch this Video HERE to for more ideas to get rid of canker sores.

Tips

- Try to avoid acidic foods when you have a canker sore, as they can prolong healing. Some people find that acidic foods may trigger their sores. Oddly, on the flip side, some anecdotal evidence suggests that a bit of very acidic juice (e.g. lemon juice) can sometimes help.

- Experiment with different home remedies for canker sores. Mix and match the ones on the list-for example, rinse with aloe and then follow up with the cayenne cream.

- Pay attention to your body - if you find yourself with canker sores breaking out every time you have a project deadline to meet, take time to yourself to relax. You deserve it.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

How to Make a Love Potion that Really Works in Getting the Spark Back in Sex?

Click HERE to Discover the 215+ Home Remedies, NaturalBeauty Recipes & DIY Household Products

Shrouded in mystery and steeped in legend, love potions have been scattered throughout human history for centuries. But in modern times, just as many remedies have been disproved and tossed aside, we’ve learned that there is merit to some.

It turns there are odors that can work wonders upon the human mind and body when it comes to getting the spark back in sex, and certain herbs that can help things like blood flow, therefore helping arousal.

Sadly with our busy, stressful, lives it can be more than difficult to engage in passionate activities, but keeping up a healthy sex life should always be on the docket.

Getting the spark back in sex can not only improve your relationship and lift your mood, it’s been shown to lower blood pressure, boost immunity, improve heart health, and lead you to a longer life.

So the next time you find yourself lacking in the passion department, brew up this “love potion” and get ready for a merry time.

Why Jasmine: It’s distinct, sweet, odor induces euphoria in both men and women, and has been used to spark passion for, quite literally, centuries.

Why Rose: We all know women tend to think too much - we’re just not as straightforward as guys when it comes to this stuff. The sensual smell of rose can lower arousal blocking anxiety, which can spike when it comes to sex.

Why Vanilla: There is an old Mexican legend about a fertility goddess who could not marry the mortal man she loved. Instead of becoming bitter, she transformed herself into the vanilla plant to give happiness and pleasure to all lovers.

Its warm scent (and taste) is welcoming, subtly sensual, and relaxing-and we all know that relaxation is a must when it comes to truly enjoying sex.

Why Cinnamon: The cinnamon creates a fine balance with the more soothing scents of rose, jasmine, and vanilla. While those help relax you, the cinnamon ensures that you still get a burst of fiery passion and energy.

If you indulge in cinnamon regularly, it can increase sex drive over time. It works so well because it can lower high blood sugar, which restricts blood flow down south for both men and women.

You will need…

-2 teaspoons of dried jasmine flowers
-1 tablespoon of dried rose petals
-Vanilla pod split, or ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
-1-2 cinnamon sticks
-1 cup of fresh water
-A pot or sauce pan
-A strainer

Directions

Pour 1 cup of fresh water into a saucepan. You can add more or less, with the former resulting in a stronger ‘potion’ and the latter a weaker tasting one.

Add to the water 2 teaspoons of dried jasmine flowers, 1 tablespoon of dried rose petals, a vanilla pod split lengthwise or ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1-2 cinnamon sticks. Give the mixture a little stir to incorporate everything, and then simmer for 3-5 minutes.

Remove from heat and strain immediately. Allow this to cool and then bottle it. Add sparkling water and serve chilled on a hot day, or pour into mugs and reheat, sipping slowly. You can also use it fresh. In the fridge it will keep for a week in tightly lidded container.

Passion makes the world go round, but even the best of lovers can find themselves needing something for getting the spark back in sex. If you find yourself a bit “stuck”, the arousing, sensual smells and the little kick of cinnamon spice in this love potion will have the passion brewing in no time.

If you want to get more ideas on how to make a love potion for getting the spark back in sex, click and watch Video 1, Video 2 and Video 3

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.

4 Simple Remedies for Toothache Relief

Click HERE to Discover the 215+ Home Remedies, NaturalBeauty Recipes & DIY Household Products

Toothache can be caused by a number of problems, such as gum disease, a cracked tooth, an abnormal bite, or if you grind your teeth.

For all intents and purposes, we’re going to be focused on tooth pain caused by tooth decay, as that is the most common root cause (pun very much intended), although these remedies will help with pain from a variety of causes.

The tooth is made up of four layers - enamel, dentin, cementum, and the pulp.

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body, and is highly mineralized and brittle. It makes up the outside of the tooth.  

Beneath the enamel is dentin, a more flexible supportive tissue that is softer than enamel.

Under the dentin is cementum, which is a bone-like substance that is highly specialized and covers the root of a tooth. It is softer than dentin and enamel, and its primary function is to serve as a medium that the periodontal ligaments (essentially specialized tissue that connects the tooth to the jaw bone) can attach to the tooth for stability.

Finally we have the pulp, the central part of the tooth filled with soft connective tissue rich in blood vessels and nerves.

A cavity is the result of bacteria in the mouth, and its reaction to sugars and starches. As bacteria break down the sugars and starches, sticky plaque filled with acids form over the tooth.

If left unchecked, plaque can form tartar, which cannot easily be brushed away. These acids eat away at the tooth enamel, and unless they are reversed, will continue to eat away at the tooth until the pulp becomes infected.

It is when the pulp is infected that a root canal becomes necessary to prevent the spread of infection and an abscess.

It’s important to get to a dentist ASAP to identify the cause before it progresses, but these remedies will help ease the ache until you can.

Toothache Relief #1 - Use Cloves

Cloves contain a substance called eugenol, which is a powerful antiseptic and painkiller. Cloves were used by dentists well before modern dentistry developed, and eugenol, in an extracted purified form, is still used today. In fact, it is a main constituent of the stuff a dentist will swab on your gums to numb the area because administering Novocain or lidocaine.

While it’s mechanism of action has yet to be totally understood, despite its prevalence in the dentist’s office, it is thought to act on certain pain receptors, blocking them and thus blocking the sensation of pain.

You will need…

-Clove essential oil

 -Cotton balls
-1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
-Cotton swabs (optional)

Directions

Rinse your mouth with warm salt water to get it nicely flushed out. By doing this beforehand, you’re allowing the oil to do its job the very best it can since there’s nothing to block it or make it hard to sink down into the sore spot.

Mix a few drops of clove essential oil with ½ teaspoon of olive oil. Thoroughly soak a cotton ball in this mixture and then hold it gently but firmly against the sore tooth or gum.

If you wanted to take a shortcut, you could try putting some of the oil on a cotton swab and dabbing it directly where it hurts, however, jabbing a cotton swab onto a hurting tooth or gum may not be too comfortable.

Toothache Relief #2 - Alcohol

Normally I avoid alcohol in my remedies if at all possible, but you know what? Sometimes, it’s a great remedy. Especially when it comes to surviving excruciating pain until the dentist is open.

You’ll read a number of conflicting view points on whether or not it actually numbs pain, but I for one think it does. I can’t trump the American Dental Association, which claims there is no basis to the remedy, but I can attest to personal experience.

Ingesting alcohol doesn’t numb pain in a direct sense, but it can slow down the responses of the central nervous system-including the transmission of pain.

When applied topically (this remedy does not call for drinking) it probably doesn’t affect the CNS, but it does seem to do something to numb the area. It’s long been old wives remedy, but it’s a good one.

You will need…

-Whiskey or Bourbon
-A cotton ball

Directions

Soak the cotton ball in the alcohol, and squeeze out the excess so it isn’t dripping all over the place. Pack it in by the sore tooth and let it sit. Repeat as necessary.

If you’d rather not put a whole cotton ball in there, then you should soak a cotton swab in the alcohol and swab it over the gum around the sore tooth.

Toothache Relief #3 - Peppermint oil

A good dose of peppermint essential oil can do the trick when it comes to numbing tooth pain. A whopping 3,000 tons of menthol, the naturally occurring constituent in peppermint, are manufactured annually to be used in over the counter pain relieving, gels, creams, rubs, and sprays.

It’s one of nature’s most effective pain killers. A type of molecule known as a ligand, present in the menthol, attaches itself to a protein known as the k-opioid receptor (KOR.)

KORs are one of four receptors that bind opiate-like compounds in the brain, and control the effects of those compounds. Among the effects is the perception of pain-basically, KOR agonists are analgesic.

Menthol is a KOR agonist, naturally occurring in mint, which is what makes it such an effective pain blocker. In addition to this, it can desensitize a region through TRPM8, also known as the cold menthol receptor.

If you’d like the full name for that, it’s transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 8. You can whip that out next time someone brings up anything minty.

Menthol does not actually change temperature - the activation of the TRPM8 simply “tricks” the brain into registering a cold sensation.

You will need…

-Pure peppermint essential oil
-Cotton balls or cotton swabs

Directions

Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil into 2 tablespoons of neutral oil (grapeseed, olive oil, etc.) It’s important to dilute the oil first so as to avoid any irritation.

Soak a cotton ball in the oil and pack it around the sore tooth, or soak a cotton swab and swab the gum surrounding the sore tooth. Repeat as needed.

Toothache Relief #4 - Saltwater Rinse

This is a repeat of a remedy in the Everyday Roots book, and it is one worth repeating, as it can really help a sore tooth heal after a procedure, or ease pain before you can get the tooth checked out.

To understand it, here’s a very simplified version of what goes down as decay is eating away at your tooth. Bacteria in the mouth feeds off of sugars in the diet-namely sucrose.

When it breaks down the sugar, it produces lactic acid. This lactic acid eats away at the enamel, into the dentin, and so on until the pulp becomes infected. The infection can then spread and turn into an abscess or what have you.

The salt, however, helps to neutralize the lactic acid. This can slow the process of decay significantly, and also relieve pain. The warm salt water will also help contract inflamed tissues as it draws excess fluid out of them, further easing discomfort.

You will need…

-1 cup of warm salt water
-1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

Mix the salt into a glass of warm water. Swish the water around for 1 minute, then spit it out. Repeat until the glass is gone. You can do this as many times a day as needed until you can get to the dentist.

I cannot stress enough how important it is to get to the bottom of the problem before it gets worse. While going to the dentist may seem like a not so great (and expensive) experience you’d rather avoid, you will only end up suffering, and paying, way more in the long run when you let the problem go. These remedies are only to help get you through until you can get professional help.

Keep in mind that these remedies are for the purpose of getting rid of the pain, not something that will cure whatever is making your tooth hurt. Brushing and flossing regularly and eating less processed sugary/salty foods can help prevent toothaches in the long run as well.

You can also watch this Video HERE for more toothache relief ideas.

By Claire Goodall (a bee-obsessed natural-convert from Minnesota) who is a holistic health lover. She is the author of Everyday Roots Book.

It's a Book that she creates to help you replace the toxic products and medications in your home with healthier, all-natural alternatives.

It contains 215+ effective home remedies and covers everything you will need to protect your family and save money every month.

For more details about her book, take a look at the Everyday Roots Book.