The Best Resources for Family Home Remedies (and Coronavirus Prevention)

We’re continually amazed and grateful to discover all of the simple, natural ways to stay healthy and to deal with sickness, injuries and symptoms when they do occur —especially with the increasing number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus infection in the U.S..

We now know that there has been ongoing community spread, but to what extent is unclear. Therefore, we’ve decided to create a helpful list of best resources for natural home remedies and some that will help with preventing the coronavirus.

It’s really awesome to be able to gain the knowledge to treat our family’s health challenges in simple, non-toxic ways that enhance the body’s ability to heal naturally —and not having to always run to the pharmacy or the germ-infested Doctor’s office as a first resort.

There is a wealth of information out there on staying healthy and using safe home remedies to deal with sickness, injury, a pandemic, etc. These resources represent only a very small portion of that information, but I hope that they serve as a place to start, to find some helpful solutions from our family to yours —and to be inspired to become more responsible for your family’s health as you learn and research more.

Let’s start with the news-dominated illness known as the Coronavirus!

1. How to Prevent from Getting or Spreading the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

It’s all about practicing good hygiene. Here’s the exact report from the CDC:

There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases, including:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Follow CDC’s recommendations for using a facemask.
    • CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
    • Facemasks should be used by people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others. The use of facemasks is also crucial for health workers and people who are taking care of someone in close settings (at home or in a health care facility).
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
    • If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Always wash hands with soap and water if hands are visibly dirty.
    • Here’s an easy DIY hand-sanitizer recipe that you can use! 

DIY Hand Sanitizer

For information about handwashing, see CDC’s Handwashing website

For information specific to healthcare, see CDC’s Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses. CDC does have specific guidance for travelers.

2. How to Boost Your Immune System and Beat Infections

On the whole, your immune system does a remarkable job of defending you against disease-causing microorganisms.

How can you improve your immune system? Here are some of the best tips, resources, and links to save in case these germs wreak havoc in your home!

Your first line of defense is to choose a healthy lifestyle. Every part of your body, including your immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as these:

  • Exercise regularly.
  • Eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables.
  • Don’t smoke.
  • If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation.
  • Maintain a healthy weight.
  • Get adequate sleep.
  • Try to minimize stress.
  • Be sure to wash your hands frequently (and teach your kids the same as well)

Here are some great links to save:

3. How to Beat the Cold and Flu (even in the summer)

Love the fall and winter but fear getting the cold and flu? If so, we feel the same way but we have some great tips and resources for you to bookmark and keep in your remedies kit.

Ps. these are also great for preventing those pesky summer colds.

  • Chow Down on Chicken Soup
  • Wear Wet Socks to Bed (This seems like a very strange thing but Best Health magazine suggests wearing wet socks to bed can ease a fever and clear congestion by attracting blood in the feet, “which dramatically increases blood circulation.)
  • Breathe in Steam
  • Drink More (lots of water plus juice, ginger ale, or herbal tea)
  • Try Salt Rinses (WebMD says the rinses are safe for kids and adults.)
  • Add honey to your tea (or have a tablespoon before bed)
  • Sulk in a Hot Bath (with Epsom Salts and Lavender essential oil)
  • Wash Your Hands (even in the summer and all of the time)
  • Rest

Here are some great links to save:

3. Safe and Natural Home Remedies Just For Kids

Whether your child has a tummy ache, a stuffy nose, or a bug bite, doctors say that old-fashioned home remedies are often the best way to help him feel better fast. These time-tested treatments rarely have side effects, cost next to nothing, and use items you probably already have on hand.

“Some, like ginger and chamomile, have even been confirmed by scientific studies to have healing effects,” says Hilary McClafferty, MD, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ provisional section for complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine.

Of course, you should always call your pediatrician if your child’s problem seems serious. But the next time your child has a minor ache or injury, you can find these smart solutions all throughout your house.

  • Use Honey and Lemon Juice for a Sore Throat (Lemon dries up congestion and honey provides a soothing coating, says Lane Johnson, MD, associate professor of clinical family and community medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine)
  • Use Baking Soda for Bug Bites (Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with just enough water to make a thick paste, smear it on the bites, and let it dry.)
  • A Bandanna for Headaches (Wrapping several ice cubes in a dish towel will help soothe your child’s head pain (never place ice directly on his skin because it’ll burn)
  • A Stick of Gum for Indigestion
  • Fresh Ginger Tea for Car Sickness
  • Cayenne Pepper for Nosebleeds

Here are some great links to save:

4. Safe and Natural Home Remedies Just For Grandma and Grandpa

For seniors or those of us who have compromised immune systems, cold and flu season can be deadly. Even a mild cough or bout of influenza in someone who is 65 years of age or older could lead to life-threatening complications, hospital stays, and a major decline in quality of life.

One recent study cited by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that roughly 70 to 90 percent of people that were killed by flu-related complications were over the age of 65.

Think of the elderly immune system not as a single body process, but rather a network of systems working together to promote well-being. With that in mind, it’s easy to understand that diet alone won’t cure every ache, pain, symptom or condition. To truly strengthen your body’s immune system, it’s best to:

  • Pair a healthy diet with a healthy lifestyle
  • Get nutrients directly from fruits, vegetables, lean meats, oily fish and nuts
  • Get regular exercise
  • Stay hydrated
  • Work to reduce stress in your life
  • Don’t smoke
  • Drink alcohol in moderation
  • Wash Your Hands
  • Rest
  • Be Alert To Recognize the Symptoms of Pneumonia, Cold, or Flu

Here are some great links to save:

5. Best Natural Remedies to Pack for Traveling

There are so many aspects of travel that are fun, exciting and transformative. But, travel can also expose us to a variety of instances that can comprise our immune system and increase the likelihood of not quite feeling 100%.

To avoid not feeling well, or experiencing stress from travel, try packing these natural remedies essentials for travel:

  • Homemade Hand Sanitizer —recipe here
  • Water bottles
  • Probiotics (to support your gut)
  • Magical Magnesium —helps with insomnia, constipation, and muscle cramps
  • Vitamin D
  • Healthy snacks (like bananas, oranges, and apples, pre-cut and bagged veggies, and granola bars with low added sugar and high fiber)
  • Fiber supplement
  • Antioxidants to Boost The Immune System (Vitamin C, Green Superfood Powder, etc)
  • GSE Grapefruit Seed Extract For Upset Stomach
  • Support Your Gut and Help Prevent Sickness with Probiotics
  • CBD for Wellness
  • Fight Airborn Germs with Saline nasal sprays with Xylitol such as Xlear helps keep you healthy on flights and trains
  • Motion Sickness Pills (Hylands brand)

Here are some great links to save:

We think it’s safe to say that washing your hands and being prepared are the best ways to try and prevent you or your family from getting sick —regardless of the season.

What are YOUR favorite go-to home remedies? It seems every family has their own, from sleeping with wet socks to curing sore throats to drinking Grandpa’s Hotty Toddies.

As in all cases, if you suspect a serious medical concern, always visit a professional, but there are many solutions to healthy living right from your cupboards at home!

What are your favorite home remedies?

2020-03-05T18:24:34+00:00

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