Looking for the best natural remedies for respiratory tract infections that you can make at home? Continue reading this article and discover the very best alternative treatments for respiratory tract infections with herbs and natural extracts.
In early March 2020, I started researching natural remedies for respiratory tract infections that people can use at home, especially for the first stages of the flu. I published natural alternatives to hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, and azithromycin, where to find quinine and quercetin in nature, the highest natural sources of zinc, vitamin D, and vitamin C, which make some of the best natural remedies for respiratory tract infections. Below is a summary of the natural remedies for respiratory tract infections anyone can use at home.
In This Article You Will Find:
5 Best Natural Remedies for Respiratory Tract Infections & How to Use
1. Wormwood
(Artemisia annua, Artemisia absinthium)
Wormwood and sweet wormwood are part of an amazing family of herbs called Artemisia, some of the most powerful natural remedies for respiratory tract infections. The most studied active compound in wormwood, artemisinin is a known treatment for malaria, a powerful antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and, more recently, a proven treatment for respiratory tract infections.
I first researched alternative treatments for respiratory tract infections in March 2020, and wormwood was top of my list of natural alternatives to hydroxychloroquine, another proven early treatment for colds and flu. Given its powerful antiparasitic properties, wormwood is also an amazing alternative to ivermectin, and surprisingly, a great natural source of zinc. Today we have a great number of studies that prove that wormwood is one of the best natural remedies for respiratory tract infections.
How to Use This Natural Remedy for Respiratory Tract Infections
Wormwood can be used as tea, powder, or tincture. I have recently published an article on how to make wormwood tea which you can read here. You can also use wormwood in powder form (3-4 teaspoons/day), in cures of ten days maximum, followed by a ten-day break.
Beware! In high doses, wormwood is toxic due to its volatile oils and has, in the first phase, neuroexcitatory, convulsive, narcotic action, followed by tremors, epileptiform seizures, stupor, and unconsciousness. Wormwood products are not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women or people suffering from ulcers.
2. Quinine
Before chloroquine and its newer version, hydroxychloroquine, quinine was the natural and only treatment for malaria. Quinine is a natural extract from the bark of the Chinchona trees family, used to make tonic waters, and is one of the best natural remedies for respiratory tract infections, including asthma. A similar quinine-like substance called limonene is also extracted from the peel of citrus fruits, especially grapefruit.
In addition, citrus fruits contain hesperidin, a flavanone glycoside with proven action in preventing and treating respiratory tract infections, by blocking the interaction between the outer protein in the viral cell and cellular receptor ACE2 and reducing ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expression. More so, hesperidin prevents blood clots and cardiovascular problems, and is also a great natural treatment for adverse reactions to experimental medical treatments.
How to Use This Natural Remedy for Respiratory Tract Infections
Quinine liquid extract is one of the top natural remedies for respiratory tract infections, especially for the initial stages, but also as prevention. You can supplement with quinine extract, or prepare your own homemade and delicious tonic water, following this recipe here. To complement this treatment, you can drink fresh grapefruit and orange juice daily. Make the juice even more powerful by adding fresh ginger and turmeric powder to the mix. Turmeric is one of the best natural anti-inflammatory medicines, while ginger is one of the best natural antibiotics.
3. Quercetin
Quercetin is a powerful bioflavonoid with amazing natural anti-inflammatory, antiviral, immunomodulatory, antihistamine, hormone-regulatory, and antioxidant properties, and one of the top natural remedies for respiratory tract infections. It is also an amazing natural supplement for COPD and can attenuate the negative effects of (passive) smoking on the lungs, according to a study. Quercetin can act as an inhibitor of the flu virus, thus helping to stop the multiplication of the pathogen, according to a study. When taken together with natural Vitamin C, quercetin boosts its healing effects for both prophylaxis and the early treatment of respiratory tract infections.
How to Use This Natural Remedy for Respiratory Tract Infections
Luckily, quercetin is abundantly found in nature, which is why it’s one of the best natural prevention for respiratory tract infections and getting sick in general. Here are the highest natural sources of quercetin, and how to use them at home to prevent and mild the early symptoms of respiratory tract infections.
4. Natural Antiviral Recipe
Essential oils, although strongly vilified by mainstream propaganda, make one of the most powerful treatments for very many illnesses, including one of the best natural antivirals for respiratory tract infections. I did my research on the best essential oils for respiratory tract infections with studies to back my claims, and I put together a recipe for a powerful natural antiviral for colds and flu, that you can read in full here. The best oils and essential oils for respiratory tract infections are:
- thyme oil
- eucalyptus oil
- rosemary oil
- peppermint oil
- black seed oil (cold-pressed oil)
How to Use Essential Oils as Natural Remedies for Respiratory Tract Infections
Equal parts of these essential oils for internal use (not aromatherapy) and the black seed oil can be mixed in an amber bottle with a dropper. One can take 3-5 drops three times a day for 7-14 days, diluted in a tsp of raw honey, or on a small piece of bread (for diabetics). Pause for 2 weeks and resume if needed. Find the full recipe with explanations here.
5. Medicinal Mushrooms
Medicinal mushrooms, especially shiitake (Lentinus edodes), and royal agaricus (Agaricus blazei murill) are amazing natural remedies for respiratory tract infections, and the main reason is they contain some of the highest levels of ß-Glucan, a special natural compound with many health benefits. More recent studies showed that beta-glucans mild the symptoms related to respiratory tract infections and aid in a faster recovery.
Beta-glucan activates macrophages and dendritic cells and can induce an enhanced defensive response of neutrophils and natural killer cells. Thus, dendritic cells present the virus more efficiently to T lymphocytes, which promotes the stimulation of B lymphocytes and antibody production. In the end, beta-glucans may favorably influence the development of a long-term, specific, adaptive response to cold and flu.
How to Use Mushrooms as Natural Remedies for Respiratory Tract Infections
Both shiitake and royal agaricus are edible (and delicious) mushrooms that grow in the wild but can also be cultivated. The most natural way to use these medicinal mushrooms is to include them in your diet. You can also use dried shiitake and dried royal agaricus to make tea, but they can be also used as powder or tincture. If you want to read more about medicinal mushrooms and their amazing uses, we recommend this article here.
Best Natural Supplements for Respiratory Tract Infections
In addition to the natural remedies for respiratory tract infections, a diet rich in fresh fruit, veggies, leafy greens, and lots of hydration is the basis for good health because it provides the body with all the nutrients and minerals it needs to prevent and fight illness. So I recommend first and foremost to look into the natural sources of these vitamins and minerals and incorporate them into your diet (links below). This will save you money on expensive and unnecessary supplements. However, when you’ve already contracted a cold or flu, the best natural supplements that you can take are:
- Zinc (best natural sources of zinc)
- Vitamin C (highest natural source of vitamin C)
- Vitamin D (best natural sources of vitamin D)
- Natural antibiotics (natural alternatives to azithromycin) – these are not supplements to be used in long term, just when you experience symptoms.
Avoid alcohol, sugar, and smoking, reduce meat, caffeine, processed foods, and junk foods, and indulge in fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole foods. They help your body fight disease and boost immunity. Natural foods make one of the best natural remedies for respiratory tract infections because they are packed with healing minerals, vitamins, and high vibrational energy.
Read Also: 6 Natural Remedies for Vaccine Side Effects
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