A well-stocked medicine cabinet is absolutely essential, especially in the cold season, because we often need quick help against colds, sore throats and headaches, flu, fever, diarrhoea and much more. With this article, we would like to show you that it doesn’t always have to be medicines from the pharmacy when it comes to filling up the medicine cabinet. Instead, nature also offers effective remedies that should not be missing from the medicine cabinet, especially in winter.

Effective remedies against colds and flu infections

The most common illness in autumn and winter is probably the common cold and the flu. The likelihood of catching it on the open road, on public transport, in the office, at kindergarten or at home with your own family is high. Reason enough to take a look at the home remedies that can support our body in curing the common cold.

Greek verbena
Greek vervain is still considered by many Greeks to be the first choice for coughs and colds. Due to its expectorant effect and pleasant taste, Greek vervain should not be missing from any natural medicine cabinet in winter.

Propolis
The natural remedy of the bees is particularly effective for colds. Nightly coughing fits, which we often have to deal with when we have a cold, can be alleviated by taking propolis, so that it is often unnecessary to take other preparations and medicines.

 

Elderflower
Elderflowers have diuretic, expectorant and diaphoretic effects. This makes them suitable for use against fever, colds and coughs.

 

 

Peppermint
Peppermint is also effective for fever and colds due to its antibacterial, germicidal and analgesic properties.

 

Ribwort plantain
The ribwort plantain is also popular for coughs. It is effective for coughs, asthma and other diseases of the respiratory organs.

 

Cistus

Back at the beginning of the pandemic, we published an article in our blog with the question: “Does cistus protect against Covid-19?”. In addition to the general corona measures, it is still recommended to also strengthen the body’s own defenses where possible. Due to the polyphenols it contains, cistus is known for its antiseptic, antibacterial and antiviral effects, and is also repeatedly mentioned in connection with the fight against flu viruses.

 

Annual mugwort

In case of fever and colds, annual mugwort in the form of a tea or tincture also provides us with excellent services. The reason for this is mainly the contained active ingredient artemisinin, which in 2002 was even recognized by the WHO as a remedy against malaria. Due to these positive properties, the effect of artemisinin against Corona has been studied in more detail in recent years. This was also reported on by Deutschlandfunk in June 2020. It is mentioned in the article that the annual mugwort Covid-19 patients should have helped.

 

Spruce and pine needles

Pines and spruces have been an important part of natural medicine in the past. Rightly so, because their positive ingredients such as resins, essential oils, vitamins, flavonoids, terpenes and tannins allow a wide range of applications. Thus, pine and spruce have antioxidant, antiseptic, astringent, analgesic and expectorant properties, which makes them especially useful for colds, respiratory diseases, pneumonia, cough and for mucous airways. Especially in the cold and corona period, a tea made from pine or spruce needles is tasty and beneficial to health.

 

 

Vitamin C and zinc
In winter, make sure you have enough vitamin C in your medicine cabinet. Ideally, you should take the vitamin C in combination with zinc, which can also be used particularly successfully in the prevention and treatment of colds.

Natural remedies for stomach and intestines

In addition to colds, we often have to deal with complaints in the stomach and intestinal tract. For this purpose, you should always have some fennel, caraway and camomile ready in your own pharmacy.

Remedies for sleep disorders and headaches

Above all, healthy sleep is important for our body. Therefore, we recommend that you include some lavender oil in your medicine cabinet. Thanks to its tension-relieving properties, it is not only effective for headaches, it also helps with restlessness and difficulty falling asleep.

 

Another tip for headaches, migraines and insomnia: tea made from woodruff. Simply pour 150 ml of water over 2-3 teaspoons of woodruff and strain after 10 minutes.

 

Which natural remedies are an integral part of your medicine cabinet? We look forward to receiving your comments or news.