Although cold and flue plagues mankind in the summer, winter and the seasons in between, the natural cold and flu remedies are also made available for us during the four seasons of the year. Natural cold and flu remedies are very accessible as they grow in the garden, found in the kitchen, or anywhere around the corner. Aside from relieving cold and flu symptoms, these natural cold and flu remedies lets you do away with all the hurdles of prescriptions drugs like side effects, interaction with other drugs, and their skyrocketing prices. If you, your kid, spouse, or anyone you know has cold and flu right now, better check your house if you have any of these natural cold and flu remedies:

1. Garlic. Garlic or Allium Sativum possesses very potent anti-microbial properties to fight cold and flu infections and boost the immune system. Garlic contains one of the most effective anti-microbial compounds found in plants, allicin. Garlic also works as a natural remedy for cold and flu as it improves the patient's sense of taste which was made bland by secretions present in the mouth.

2. Ginger. Antiviral, analgesic, antioxidant, and antiseptic properties are all found in a ginger. Viruses are the most common microorganisms causing cold and flu. Viruses replicate faster and are less resistant to anti-bacterial medications, although there are anti-viral drugs for cold and flu, the natural way supersedes them as to safety and accessibility. Ginger can be made a tea, or eaten included in your meals. Definitely, ginger is one of the most effective cold and flu remedies found in your kitchen.

3. Onion. Onion and garlic belongs to the same family and functions just the way garlic does when it comes to being one of the tried and tested cold and flu remedies. Onion can be taken as soup or tea to treat cold, flu, and even asthma.

4. Echinacea. Perhaps Echinacea is one of the most well known natural cold and flu remedies. It primarily boosts the immune system necessary to fight infections like cold and flu by increasing the levels of properdin. Aside from being an immune-booster, Echinacea also acts as a blood cleanser by eliminating dead cells.

5. Chicken Soup. Symptoms of cold and flu can be alleviated by a hot and steamy chicken soup. Chicken soup is included in our list of natural cold and flu remedies for two reasons, its steam can help decongest nasal oral and nasal passages and prevents dehydration.

6. Vitamin C. Another known effective immune booster is ascorbic acid or Vitamin C. Vitamin C is one of the natural cold and flu remedies because it can come from fruits like citrus fruits and vegetables. A study also suggests that Vitamin C shortens the time of cold and flu symptoms.

7. Menthol ointment. The soothing effects of menthol ointments can relieve the pain in the skin due to excessive sneezing. The vapors of menthol ointments also decongest clogged nasal passages.

8. Steam. There are natural ways to introduce steam to the Respiratory tract other a nebulizer. A running hut shower inside a closed bath room can provide high doses of steam to humidify secretions in the oral and nasal pathways interfering with breathing. Being a good decongestant, natural steams are good cold and flu remedies.

9. Water therapy. Water has lots of miracles, and one of them is being a very helpful cold and flu remedy. Water acts both a mucolytic and expectorant for patients suffering from symptoms of cold and flu.

10. Bed Rest. Rest and sleep are also immune boosters. People die faster and get sick faster if they are sleep and rest deprived. It is one of the most accessible cold and flu remedies there is.