There’s nothing worse than the start of the cold and flu season. The coughing starts, we turn to cleaning all the things and taking all the medicines. From my husband down to my little preschooler, there are remedies that always work for us. Our family turns to affordable and natural remedies for cough, cold, and even the flu.

Affordable Natural Remedies For Cough

Honey and Apple Cider Vinegar

My kids may not love this one, but it is one of my favorite natural remedies for cough. I mix together a tablespoon of organic honey (raw honey is best) with a teaspoon with apple cider vinegar. We take it straight up on a large spoon, but you can dilute it in a half a cup of warm water, and turn it into a tea of sorts. We didn’t give this to our little ones until they were over the age of 1, so keep that in mind for your kids.

Drink More Water

I’m the worst at drinking enough water, so I know when I get sick, it’s because I’m probably dehydrated. Water flushes out your system, and soothes any inflammation in your throat, so increase your water intake. If cold water hurts your throat, and irritates your cough, drink room temperature or warm water.

Salt Water Gargle

This is an oldie but goodie when you have a cough. A simple solution of table salt and warm water is perfect for a soothing gargle. You can do this in the morning and at night to soothe your throat.

Ginger and Lemon Tea

Oh my word, this tea! Ginger is one of the best things to ingest when you are feeling a tickle in your throat, because ginger has anti-inflammatory properties. The lemon soothes your throat as well, so this combination is key when exploring natural remedies for cough.

Here’s how to make this simple tea: Bring a medium pot of water to a hard boil, turn off the heat, add ginger pieces, then let it steep for 5 minutes. Once it’s done, take out the ginger pieces, add the juice of one lemon, and stir. This mixture can be ingested right away, or put in the fridge to be used later.

Pineapple Juice

One of our fall pantry staples is canned pineapples and canned pineapple juice. Why? Because pineapples have enzymes in them that reduce mucus and suppress coughing. The juice also feels good on the throat, but the canned pineapple chunks are the real MVP. The helpful enzymes are found more in the actual pineapple, than in the juice.