Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know (and probably love) Whole Foods Market. But, if you’re lucky enough to have a Sprouts Farmers Market close by, then you may be going there instead! Either way, there are some great natural cold & flu remedies hiding on their shelves that you may NOT know about. Busy moms can’t stay down long, and these natural remedies may help get you back on your feet ASAP.
All of the items listed below are found in MY fridge and my medicine cabinets, and they are my go-to during the cold months.
Keep cold and flu season at bay this year with these go-to natural remedy finds at Sprout Farmers Market & Whole Foods Market.
No DIY or Recipe to Follow
Before we get into the list, let me just say that this is NOT a post detailing recipes or concoctions you’ll be brewing up in your house. Nope, nope, nopity nope! Everything (weird yet effective) is waiting for you on a shelf.
So, all you have to do is stockpile this stuff in advance, and you’ll be prepared when the shit inevitably hits the fan.
Important Medical Disclaimer:
**I have not been given any of the following products for free. I am simply providing my own honest opinion of the products listed below, as I have been using them for years. Also, I am not a medical doctor, nor medical professional. I make no claims or guarantees regarding the products. If you decide to use one of the products below, you should use the products as directed on the labels and consult a physician prior to use (and pediatrician if a child will use the products). You assume full responsibility and resulting consequences for using any product listed below. Again, this is just what I like, and the results may or may not be beneficial to you or your family.
Farmhouse Culture Ginger Beet Organic Gut Shots
ACV & Gut Shots
I am absolutely obsessed with Gut Shots. I’ve been taking these for two years pretty regularly—yes, daily. My now 5 year old also loves the taste of this one! It tastes like pickle juice. I swear. But, it is so good for your gut health because of the insane probiotics housed in this little jar.
So, this is typically a preventative remedy for me. But, I make everyone take this when they’re sick. Kids who love SOUR will love this remedy!
Fire Cider Apple Cider Vinegar Tonics
Now, I swear by this one. It’s preventative, and it’ll knock that cold right out of your system if you get one. Caveat for first time users: this one is rough, but effective. It is Apple Cider VINEGAR (ACV). It’s HOT. It will (100%) give you the willies. BUT, it works for me!
Again, this natural remedy is gonna light you up!
Homeopathic Meds
If you’re new to the world of natural remedies (especially homeopathic medicines), then I would definitely advise you do a little research on this before stepping blindly into it. Plus, always talk to your primary care doctor (and pediatrician if applicable) to determine whether or not you should use any homeopathic medicine.
Some doctors are for it, others against, still others think it’s useless. It varies by doctor, so definitely talk to yours to see what’s best for your family.
Tabs & Pellets
About 3 months after my husband’s cancer diagnosis, I went into full GRANOLA mode. I started cleaning out all the toxins from our life—our food, cleaners, medicine—everything. The more I read about natural remedies, the more I wanted to eliminate all unnecessary (or overused) meds from our shelves.
Hyland’s tabs (you may know them from teething remedies) cover many cold and flu symptoms. Belladonna’s focus is on fever and pain. Spongia Tosta helps if you have croupy kids. There’s also Chamomilla (which I use even when the kids are just having trouble with settling for sleep at night).
There are tabs for every little cold and flu symptom your kids come up with! **Just make sure to discuss medications with your child’s pediatrician prior to use and always use under their supervision.
Boiron Pulsatilla 30C Pellets Homeopathic Medicine for Colds
These little pellets are contained in a chapstick sized tube. Place under your tongue and let them dissolve. The medicine is very similar to the Hyland’s tabs. And, there are a ton to choose from (depending on the type of cold symptoms you may have).
**Just make sure to discuss medications with your child’s pediatrician prior to use and always use under their supervision.
Oscillococcinum Homeopathic Flu Remedy by Boiron
(“Oscillo” for short.) Homeopathic remedies may not be up your ally, and it wasn’t up mine until this weird little package worked freaking MAGIC on me. Hand to God – I was DYING with the flu, and I could barely make it to Whole Foods (this was before we had a Sprout here). I drove 20 minutes (DYING), got home, took this medicine as directed, and I woke up FINE the next morning. SWEAR.
Now, this one is a little controversial, as it is made from ultra diluted duck liver. Weird, I know. But, it worked on me, and I know SO many moms who have had the same experience. They convinced me to take it in the first place! **Just make sure to discuss medications with your child’s pediatrician prior to use and always use under their supervision.
UMCKA Throat Spray
Umcka Throat Spray by Nature’s Way
Umcka is the newest big thing in homeopathic medicine. Umcka is said to shorten duration and lessen severity of colds. But, you’ve got to use this as soon as you start to feel like garbage for it to be effective. (Only kids over a certain age can use this product, so make sure to read the back). **Just make sure to discuss medications with your child’s pediatrician prior to use and always use under their supervision.
This little spray is nasty tasting, but I think it’s totally worth it. (Also, no guarantees that this will shorten a severe man-cold. I have yet to see any product that alters the course of those infections…).
The Holy Trinity of Vitamins
Cayenne pills, Vitamin C, and Echinacea (and garlic pills for good measure!) are the triumverate that will knock out any cold. I learned this combo from my father, who learned it from his friend from Jamaica.
Head’s UP! The Cayenne pills will light your system on FIRE. So, make sure you eat something before you take those. DO NOT TAKE ON AN EMPTY STOMACH! Also, consider yourself forewarned: “what-goes-in-must-come-out,” and it’s no joke.
If you just can’t stomach the Fire Cider listed above, then this is a great alternative! You can find these in almost every grocery chain.
Natural Remedies VS Waiting it Out
I always feel so helpless with my kids when they get sick. So, I really try to bulk up on the prevention side. However, kids are disgusting little petri dishes, and they are GOING to bring home every strain of every cold imaginable—and then some!
So, go to Sprouts or Whole Foods, and start getting your cold and flu season prepper’s kit together! Bulk up on those remedies, so you feel like you’re doing all you can to stay well (and NOT go down with the ship!).
This year, you’ll be READY!
Want to remember this? Post Natural Cold Remedies from SPROUT & Whole Foods to your favorite Pinterest Board!
