We catch more colds when the weather turns chilly. Spending more time indoors with family and friends may expose us to the cold and flu bugs that they might have. Our children also spend more time indoors at school in close contact with other children. Sometimes kids are not able to avoid being tagged by the latest virus. With so many germs on the surfaces we touch, it really is a credit to our amazing immune system that we don't get sick more often. Right now is a good time to assemble your supply of cold-fighting remedies. Looking for those remedies when a family member is sick can be frustrating, and it is exhausting if you are the one who is sick.
Hydration and Dehydration
Our bodies naturally maintain a balance between water taken in and water lost. A person with a cold usually feels thirstier because they lose more fluid from coughing, sneezing, extra mucous production, and fever. Drinking warm fluids will soothe a sore throat and quench thirst. Activate-C Immune Complex Immunity Booster Drink Mix can be made with either cold or hot water providing 1200 mg of Vitamin C, 15 mg Zinc, Vitamin E, Astragalus Extract, and Aronia Melanocarpa (black chokeberry). Just a note: Never drink hot water from the tap, heat cool water for a hot drink. Plumbing, in even newer homes can have contaminates that are more easily dissolved by hot water.
Vomiting and diarrhea causes us to lose not only a lot of water, but also lose electrolytes. In this case more than hydration with water is needed, electrolytes need to be replaced. Serious complications can arise from drinking excessive water or not replacing electrolytes. Sustain Sport provides hydration and electrolytes. This website explains why some cases of dehydration require a electrolyte drink instead of water.
Activate
The Melaleuca Wellness Guide recommends we take Activate Immune Complex Immunity Booster at the first hint of a cold. Activate contains a combination of 3 herbs and 3 nutrients that work together to give our immune system a cold-fighting boost.
Echinacea has long been used as a natural herb to help speed healing. A review of 700 studies showed that the herb has a substantial effect in preventing and limiting the duration of a cold.
Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) is also found in both Activate formulas. It is a powerful antioxidant. A PubMed study of this North American black chokeberry showed that it has activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli (E-Coli), and type A influenza virus.
Astragalus is one of the most researched immune stimulant herbs. It is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Activate also contains 15 mg of zinc powered by Oligo for better absorption, 550 mg Vitamin C, and 15 IU Vitamin E.
If you feel like your immune system needs extra support you can take Activate Immune Complex, one capsule 3 times a day for up to 3 weeks at a time.
Other Remedies
Antibiotics do not work as a treatment for viruses, but T36-C5 is effective against viruses. You can dab one drop of T36-C5 every 4 hours directly under each nostril. Cool Shot Breath Spray also contains T36-C5 along with bacteria inhibiting xylitol. This little spray container is easy to carry so you will have it available as soon as you feel the first hint of a cold. Wash your hands regularly.
Use Sol-U-Guard Botanical on frequently touched surfaces. And don't forget to gently wipe your phones and computer keyboards.
Our soon to be published book on essential oils notes that eucalyptus oil is used as a decongestant for treating sinus infection and bronchitis. It is used as an expectorant and to prevent an asthma attack. It has antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic qualities.
You can find more information on remedies for cold/flu related symptoms such as sinus congestion, ear infections, earaches, coughs, sore throat, and fever in The Melaleuca Wellness Guide. We wish you a very healthy season.
~ Richard M Barry
The Melaleuca Wellness Guide
Widely recognized as the definitive resource for the many questions about uses of Melaleuca products, The Melaleuca Wellness Guide features over 200 health solutions, over 150 cleaning solutions, and over 215 suggestions for cats, dogs, horses, and farm animals.
Many Melaleuca Marketing Executives have found that when they make sure their new customers have The Melaleuca Wellness Guide, they are happier with their choice to switch stores. Using The Melaleuca Wellness Guide helps people understand the many applications for Melaleuca products. Understanding of the products helps create product-centered organizations which have higher average order size and retention rates.
Cold and Flu Testimonials
The people below will receive a free copy of The Melaleuca Wellness Guide for submitting their stories.
I am a voiceover and on-camera actress and my husband is a musician. Neither of us can "afford" to get a cold. It could literally cost us hundreds to thousands of dollars in lost work if we caught a cold or flu.
This is what we do. We have been happy Melaleuca customers for 19 years.
If we feel a twinge of a cold, we take Activate. 3 capsules per day. We boil some water in a pot on the stove and then remove the pot from the burner and set it on a towel. We then take another towel and put it over our head and put a few drops of T36-C5 Melaleuca Oil on a Q-Tip and use it as a stir stick in the pot of water and breathe in the vapors.
We drink the Melaleuca Tea, the regular one in the green packet, almost every evening. We let one bag steep for at least 15 minutes in a pot that makes about 3 to 4 cups. If we have any leftover we drink it the next day. We also keep the CounterAct cough drops handy. We even keep them in our cars so we are never without them. We like the Honey-Lemon ones the best. I also keep some Activate capsules in my purse, and my husband has some in his band equipment bag.
We always use the tooth polish and Breath-Away mouth rinse as well. The healing properties of the Melaleuca oil are amazing. We are seldom sick and we are grateful that we were told about Melaleuca products. We use them all over the house, and value and appreciate them very much!
~ Liz
Before I started taking the Oligo packages of various supplements... including Cell Wise, I had the worst colds! I had a low immune system due to being a type 1 diabetic. When I would get a cold, about 2 to 3 a year I would be sick for weeks. Then I got diagnosed with advanced cancer in my throat. I had chemotherapy and radiation, which is notorious for ruining the immune system. In 2012 I went through all of that, and at the same time a good friend shared Melaleuca with me.
Since recovering from the awful aftermath of cancer treatment, I have had exactly 3 very brief minor colds. Even when all my family members are really, really ill, with fevers, vomiting, unable to get up, there I am like Florence Nightingale with cups of Melaleuca herbal tea and a package of Activate stirred in once it cools. I encourage them to rub a bit of Melaleuca oil under their noses, and I use the hand sanitizer following up with a few drops of Melaleuca oil in my hands. Honestly, the cold remedies I get from Melaleuca are just the best, but the best part of the whole thing is I hardly ever need them! Imagine zero immune system but with Melaleuca's wonderful supplements, I get fewer colds.
I also think using the cleaners helps us maintain a healthier home, with fewer "super bugs." Our home is clean without toxic chemicals and allergens.
~ Merritt
Whenever we feel the slightest cold or cough coming on we run for Melaleuca's Activate and Activate-C. I make sure we are NEVER out of it. But now I have a new Melaleuca favorite: PURE Armor Essential Oil. I was sick for two weeks solid which is very uncommon for me. I had been running and going so hard that my body was completely run down. At first I thought I had strep throat and of course everyone wanted me to run for the doctor's office but I am stubborn. I insisted on continuing my natural health methods but unfortunately they weren't keeping up with this severe exhaustion and coughing. Finally I went ahead and purchased Armor and added it to my repertoire of Activate, garlic, honey and Melaleuca tea. I feel like I started clearing up after that. Then a week later my two daughters caught it. I had them start on Activate-C and immediately take a bath with Armor in it (dispersed with milk). They were greatly improved the next day and the colds were completely gone within 3 days. So thankful for my Melaleuca!
~ Kara
One of my customers told me that she got bronchitis EVERY year since she was a child.. She told me that she was going to take an Activate-C every day from October through February last year. Well she NEVER got bronchitis!!! I couldn't believe it!! I never purchased it before.. I've been a customer for over 2 years, and since my customer told me her testimony, I bought the Activate-C supplement last winter (just in case) and every time I feel a scratchy throat come on or hear congestion in my sons voice, I immediately take the Activate-C and also give it to my son, and never had it developed into anything more!! It tastes great too!! Thanks Melaleuca for another wonderful product!!
~ Angel
Since converting our home to Melaleuca products I've found my children fight off colds and viruses a lot quicker and aren't ill as often as they used to be. I am fairly certain this is because their immune systems aren't being overloaded with harmful chemicals so are working more efficiently! At the first sign of a cold or flu symptoms we take Activate-C, often the cold doesn't progress any further. I also use MelaGel, either under the nose or just inside, helps clear stuffiness and possibly helps fight the virus. Making sure everyone takes their Vitality multivitamins also helps!
~ Sarah
I seldom get a cold or the flu. I attribute this to Melaleuca's Peak Performance Pack. But recently I wasn't feeling well and had swollen glands in my throat. I immediately took three Activate Immune Complex and went to bed with a few CounterAct Cough drops on my nightstand, which I needed through the night. The next morning my throat was still sore so I took three more Activate. By the next morning, the swelling had subsided substantially. I can't say enough about Melaleuca products. I've been a customer for five years now and plan to be one for life.
~ Renee
I have just started using essential oils, and I am astounded how easily my household has fought off the colds that are circulating around our offices! Every night I put some Pure Armor blend on my feet, and I use some Melaleuca Tea Tree oil, as well as the Vapor Blend in my diffuser. It smells great and cleans the air! We keep 'holding our breath' for the cold to hit us, but I start up the diffuser, and put the oil on our skin and all possible symptoms go away. I'm convinced!
Several years ago I was traveling home and suddenly realized I was getting a serious runny nose and sneezing badly. Upon arriving home I took 3 Activate capsules and went to bed. The next morning I was back to normal with NO cold or flu symptoms at all. Since then, if I feel the slightest bit of a cold coming on, I immediately swallow some Activate, breathe some Melaleuca oil, and basically forget about it. I haven't had the flu in many years. I am very thankful for these great Melaleuca products and these great stories we can all learn from!
~ Barbara
This is how I take care of a cold. I am already taking the essential vitamins on a daily basis and I am staying away from sodas. My fluid intake contains lots of good water, but we are never completely shielded from what is out there. I don't touch door handles with my bare hands and have a little bottle of the Sol-U-Guard in my purse that I can use after touching for example, a menu in a restaurant. In case of catching a cold bug, I immediately take the Activate Immune Complex and I put some Melaleuca oil in my nostrils and on my throat and chest. The Melaleuca cough drops give fast relief for any discomfort. Since Melaleuca now has the essential oils, I also use peppermint on the bottom of my feet when getting a cold. I love the diffuser from Melaleuca and use the oils to dispense into the air. I have not been to a doctor for any colds in many years. Thank you Melaleuca for such great products.
~ Ricarda