Summer Colds + Natural Remedies

Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t have to be cold outside to catch a cold. So when a summer colds hit, a lot of people often mistake it for other issues, like allergies. But the truth is, despite the warmer temperatures, common colds can spread and infect people just as easily in the summer months as they can in the winter. That’s why it’s good to have natural remedies ready to go year-round.

It can be difficult to tell whether it’s a cold or allergies that’s affecting you in the summertime, so these are some things to look out for:

• Symptoms like coughing, fever, or sweating indicate a cold

• Fluctuating symptoms - if yours start as mild and then worsen, you’re dealing with a cold. Allergies are pretty consistent

• Nasal discharge will be different - with a cold, it’s usually thick with a yellow or green tint

• Symptoms change when you travel - if you travel to another region and symptoms suddenly disappear, it’s likely allergies

But in the event you are dealing with a summer cold, there are many natural remedies that can help. This garlic lemonade is one of my favorite recipes. Besides being effective, I love it for summertime ailments because it’s a quiet nod to the season itself. I recommend drinking it through the duration of your cold.

Garlic Lemonade

You’ll need:

2-4 chopped garlic cloves

3-4 slices of fresh ginger

2-3 lemons

Raw honey

Water

Directions:

In a 1 quart mason jar, combine the chopped garlic and fresh ginger. Cover and let steep for at least 20 minutes. Juice your lemons and add it to the container along with your honey (honey should be to taste, though I suggest sticking to no more than ¼ cup.) Optional: strain or leave herbs in the mixture. Consume at room temperature.