Spices That Can Treat the Cold & Flu

When you have the cold or flu, it is important that you maintain a healthy diet without 
any preservatives or added ingredients that your body doesn’t need. However, there are 
some ingredients that are great to use, especially in soups and other soothing foods to 
eat when you are sick. These include many spices that provide healing benefits, as well 
as flavor.

Ginger

Among the different types of spices that can help with the cold and flu, ginger is 
probably at the top of the list. This powerful spice is not only great with many types of 
cuisine, but also has some health properties. Particularly, it contains a natural anti-
inflammatory property that can help to clear your sinuses when you have the cold or flu, 
and can also ease your headaches and nausea that often come from these types of 
viruses. There are many ways to use more ginger when you are sick, from adding it to 
your chicken noodle soup, to making a hot tea with ginger and lemon.

Cinnamon

The great thing about using cinnamon is that it is delicious, easy to use daily, and 
something most people love. Cinnamon is a spice that can be used for both sweet and 
savory dishes, so no matter what your palate or preferences, it shouldn’t be hard to 
increase its usage each day. Cinnamon is a wonderful spice for your immune system 
and can help treat side effects from having the cold or flu. It has natural antioxidant 
properties and can increase blood flow in your digestive system. Try adding it to 
oatmeal, cereal, coffee or tea, or savory dishes.

Cloves

Another spice that will help you if you get the common cold or come down with the flu is 
cloves. This goes great along with cinnamon, especially with your seasonal recipes. It is 
great that these spices help with a cold, since fall is the season when you would get the 
illness anyway. Cloves work similar to other herbs in that they naturally have properties 
to help relieve your body of viruses and infections. As an added bonus, clove is 
wonderful for any type of toothache you might have.

Turmeric

The last spice to add to your spice cabinet for healing powers is turmeric. This has been 
popular for a few years now, and isn’t going anywhere. It naturally has anti-inflammatory 
properties, along with being an antioxidant and antiviral spice. Turmeric has a bright 
orange color and is great with savory dishes, along with tea and tonic. If you are making 
a pot of coffee, you can even add some turmeric and cinnamon to your coffee for a little 
spice and to help treat the cold or flu at the same time.

