Old vs. New: 10 twists on traditional cold and flu remedies (Home Remedies)

Old vs. New: 10 twists on traditional cold and flu remedies

Our grandmothers were onto something when they assured us chicken soup, hot water with honey and cool cloths would relieve our ills. Here are 10 innovations (and improvements!) on the old-fashioned way of getting better.

Old-fashioned advice: Eat chicken soup

When you're sick with a cold or flu, there's nothing better than a heaping helping of healthy soup to put you on the path to recovery. But should you take your grandmother's advice and reach for a bowl of chicken soup? Not exactly, says holistic nutritionist Kristen Ragno who recommends a nutritious homemade bone broth instead. Simply cook up some free-range, grass-fed beef bones in a slow cooker for 12 to 48 hours, she says. "You're leaching all the minerals out of the bones." An added bonus? "Gelatine and cartilage are also helpful for (healing your) intestines," Ragno says. If you think the idea of slow-cooking bones might be too much handle when you're already feeling under the weather, you could simply make a healthy vegetable broth instead — just make sure to add some ginger, garlic and a bit of cayenne.

Old-fashioned advice: Wear a garlic clove necklace

Wear a garlic clove necklace? When your grandmother first gave you this bit of advice, you probably went straight to her medicine cabinet to see what kind of drugs she was on. But, as it turns out, your grandmother was mostly right. Garlic has incredible anti-viral properties. But if you're looking for something a bit more 2013, try eucalyptus oil instead, says Ragno. Eucalyptus oil helps open up bronchial tubes, ease congestion and makes breathing easier. "It's also a lot more practical," she says. To take it, simply boil some water, add in a few drops of eucalyptus oil and breathe in the refreshing steam. Unlike a garlic necklace, this eucalyptus treatment won't ensure that you forever sleep alone.

Old-fashioned advice: Drink orange juice

It's likely one of the very first items on any sick person's shopping list: orange juice. While there's nothing wrong with a bit of OJ — in fact, it's quite good for you — there are other low sugar options available. Try a vitamin C supplement, for instance. Unlike a big jug of juice or a bag of oranges, vitamins can be stashed in your purse or on your desk at work so you can take them at the first sign of an illness.

Old-fashioned advice: Put a cool cloth on your forehead

Having trouble sleeping? Your grandmother was right to tell you to put a cool cloth on your forehead to soothe your aching head. But if you're looking for relief that will last the whole night, try taking a pain reliever and sleeping aid instead. Drugs like ibuprofen and diphenhydramine citrate will help reduce your fever and ensure you get a good night's sleep. And, unlike a wet washcloth, they won't make your pillow wet.

Old-fashioned advice: Drink ginger ale

While it was likely good advice in its time, most ginger ales today contain ingredients like high fructose corn syrup and "colour" -- probably not the type of stuff you want to be drinking when you're sick. A healthier alternative -- which, in this case, is actually more traditional -- is ginger tea. Simply heat up a pot of water, thinly slice up some ginger and cook until the flavour has been released into the water. After pouring into your mug, add a splash of fresh lemon juice, a tablespoon of honey and a pinch of cayenne to turn your soothing drink into a powerful anti-cold cocktail.

Old-fashioned advice: Take a hot shower

Sure a steamy shower can open your nasal passages and make breathing a little easier but what's even better, says Ragno, is alternating between warm and cold showers. While the thought of forcing yourself to endure an agonizing cold shower after a satisfying warm one might seem unappealing, the potential health benefits should make it worthwhile: cold showers can help improve circulation, decrease inflammation and even increase your energy levels, says Ragno. And when you alternate between hot and cold, you help rid your body of toxins, she adds. Knowing all of this, however, won't make having a cold shower any easier.

Old-fashioned advice: Take a shot of whiskey/drink a cup of hot brandy

Back in Grandma's day, alcohol was a cure for just about everything. Now we know that when we're sick we should avoid alcohol altogether. Rather than a hot cup of brandy or a shot of whiskey, try taking some zinc instead, says Ragno. A 2011 review from the U.S. Cochrane Center showed that zinc might reduce cold symptoms and shorten the duration of the sickness — like alcohol was, at one time, purported to do.

Old-fashioned advice: Cayenne pepper

While cayenne pepper remains a powerful way to clear out your aching sinuses, it's by no means the only way. Ragno says you can also try using a Neti pot: a tool that makes it easy to quite literally wash out your nasal cavity with a saline solution. As the solution soothes and moistens your nasal cavity, it also helps break down the mucus, making it easier to breathe. The same concept applies to saline nasal sprays. You can also try using a decongestant.

Old-fashioned advice: Take a spoonful of honey

Ah, honey. Good old reliable, sweet honey. It's a classic throat soother. And it couldn't get any more simple. But what do you do when you're on the go? Do you really want to carry around a sticky jar and a spoon? Your other option is a natural throat lozenge. It can help suppress a cough and stimulate saliva production, soothing your sore throat.

Old-fashioned advice: Take a steam bath

Instead of trying to create your own DIY steam in the sink, you could always try using a humidifier instead. The air in your home can be quite dry, especially during winter months. A humidifier helps to add some valuable moisture back into the air, making it easier on your nose and throat. If you're already sick, the damp air will also help thin out some of the mucus in your sinuses.