- By Erika Summers
6 Holistic Remedies to Help You Navigate Flu Season

With the beginning of spring comes the onset of flu season, and that usually comes with fevers, chills, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, and just feeling downright miserable.
The cold and the flu are both respiratory infections caused by viruses, but have differing symptoms, and the holistic remedies listed below may help to provide relief and prevent illness more naturally.
Water
Consuming enough fluids and drinking water is essential. Water with lemon is a great choice because it keeps you hydrated and loosens up stuffiness and congestion. Lemons are also packed with vitamin C, which may make a cold slightly shorter if you consume it regularly.
Bone Broth
Along with plenty of water, drinking bone broth is a nourishing cold and flu holistic remedy. Bone broth is rich in amino acids, fats, minerals, vitamins, and collagen, among other nutrients that support healing. Chicken bone broth, in fact, contains amino acids that reduce inflammation in the respiratory system according to a 2000 study from the University of Nebraska medical center.
Herbal Teas
Drinking warm herbal tea like ginger,licorice, slippery elm and echinacea can help soothe sore throats. Add in a tablespoon of raw honey. A drop of oil of oregano can help to clear sinuses and boost the immune system as well.
Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry is a holistic tonic shown to have potent healing properties of the cold and flu. Studies show that the severity and duration of cold and flu-like symptoms are drastically decreased with the ingestion of the Elderberry syrup. Elderberry is also rich in flavonoids, vitamins A, C, and E, copper, zinc, potassium, and iron and can be easily added into the diet, daily.
Sleep
Rest is key to healing the body form the cold and flu. Aim for at least seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep.
Aromatherapy
For congestion relief, talk with your doctor about using aromatherapy. Eucalyptus essential oil may help to open airways when put through a diffuser in your room at night.