24 Delicious DIY Cures For A Cold Or Flu

Whether any homemade cold remedies actually work is up for debate, but these will definitely make you less miserable.

1. Lemon, Ginger & Honey Flu Remedy

Source: instructables.com

This is the classic combo for a reason; even if it doesn’t cure you, it will make your mouth happy. Instructions here.

2. Flu Buster Clementine Creamsicle Smoothie

Source: ohsheglows.com

Creamy, delicious, and vegan for good measure. Hopefully people who don’t have the flu are allowed to drink this too. Recipe here.

3. Classic Chicken Noodle Soup

Source: smittenkitchen.com

Smitten Kitchen’s recipe is super basic but tastes exactly the way you want it to (i.e., way, way better than what comes out of a can).

4. Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir

Source: delightedmomma.com

Some people swear by cider vinegar to cure every ailment known to man — so it can’t hurt to try it, right? Get the recipe here.

5. Sage Tea

Source: shutterstock.com

Word is that sage can help fight bacteria and soothe throat inflammation. Just pour boiling water over fresh (2 Tbsp) or dried (1 Tbsp) sage (and add lemon or honey if that’s your jam).

6. Asian Noodle Soup (Vegan)

Source: coffeeandquinoa.com

Soba noodles and tofu are the ideal solution for vegans in need of a cozy noodle soup. Get the recipe here.

7. Homemade Cough Remedy

Source: barefeetinthekitchen.blogspot.com

Mix cider vinegar, honey, cayenne, and ginger into a cough syrup that’s guaranteed to taste way better than Dimetapp, even if it’s not a fun purple color. Recipe here.

8. Ginger & Lemon “Cure For Colds” Cake

Source: loveraw.blogspot.com

This pretty recipe is raw and vegan, so it must be extra good for you. It’s pretty involved, though, so you might want to guilt a healthy friend into making it for you.

9. Spicy Lemon-Ginger “Intensi-Toddy”

Source: joylicious.net

This recipe kicks up your basic lemon/honey deal with cayenne pepper, cloves, and cinnamon. Fight sinus congestion with FIRE.

10. Chicken And Vegetable Wonton Soup

Source: insanitytheory.net

You can make this gingery Asian-inspired soup any time and freeze it. Then, even in the depths of a flu, you’ll be able to reheat and eat. Use store-bought wontons if you’re not up to all that filling, folding, and frying. Or just, you know, order wonton soup on Seamless…

11. Moxie’s Cold Cure-All

Source: bonappetit.com

This recipe includes immune-boosting echinacea, so it’s worth drinking even if you’re not sick yet. Which you might do, since it actually tastes good.

12. Kimchi Fried Rice

Source: freefromthethree.blogspot.com

Kimchi is a magical food that’s definitely good for you, and rice is great if you’re not up to eating anything too crazy. Recipe here.

13. Sriracha Cold Remedy

Source: everydayfoodblog.marthastewart.com

Mix sliced fresh ginger, lemon juice, Sriracha, and hot water to make a savory hot broth that’ll pep you right up.

14. Chicken Soup With Carrot Hearts

Source: sophistimom.com

The soup equivalent of your mom giving you a hug. Instructions and recipe here.

15. Turmeric Milk with Ginger and Cardamom

Source: journeykitchen.com

There’s no sweetener in this spicy traditional Indian remedy, but feel free to add a little honey if it’s too medicinal for you. Recipe here.

16. Ginger Tea

Source: knucklesalad.com

Super simple — just peel, slice, and steep fresh ginger in hot water. Ginger can help loosen up gross phlegm and clear congestion. Instructions here.

17. Cote d’Azur Cure-All Soup

Source: chow.com

Between the garlic and the sage and the chicken broth and the egg yolks and the cheese, SOMETHING in there is gonna work. Recipe here.

18. Flu Fighter Cookies

Source: foodnetwork.com

From now on I’m just going to make a batch of these cookies every time I start to feel under the weather and then eat them all immediately, “for my health.” All that yogurt, ginger, lemon, cinnamon, and cranberries mean at least they can’t be too bad for you.

19. Kimchi, Pork & Tofu Soup (Kimchi Jigae)

Source: norecipes.com

YUM, sinus-clearing power! Recipe here.

20. Lemon Rosemary Honey Syrup

Source: theyummylife.com

Use these instructions for making infused citrus and herb honey syrups that you can add to any hot drink for instant cold-curing power. Makes a great gift for sickies you know.

21. 44-Clove Garlic Soup

Source: smittenkitchen.com

Sounds insane, tastes awesome. Plus, garlic is multifunctional — it protects you from colds AND vampires! Get the recipe here.

22. Influenza RX Sorbet

Source: scrumptiousandsumptuous.wordpress.com

This has everything you want from a flu buster, in refreshingly frosty dessert form (perfect if you have a fever!): orange, honey, ginger, cayenne, and most importantly…BOURBON. Get the recipe here.

23. Immune-Boosting Miso Vegetable Soup

Source: inspirededibles.ca

Hello, soup! You are so colorful and easy to make! You make me feel strong and powerful and immune to all illness! Let’s be friends! Get the recipe here.

24. Orange Rosemary Spritz Cocktail

Source: snippetandink.com

When you’re on the mend and ready to embrace your old friend Booze again, this fizzy winter cocktail will be waiting for you. Like Emergen-C that gets you drunk! Get the recipe here.