Best Natural Remedies to Fight Covid and Omicron Symptoms

The COVID-19 pandemic has been sweeping the nation for almost 2 years now with its lethal symptoms filling up hospital ICU beds. Omicron is now the dominant variant, and while less lethal and severe symptoms like coughing, muscle aches, and fatigue can be uncomfortable and get in the way of everyday life.

The most common remedies for these types of symptoms like honey tea and inhaling steam are great, but this list has even more natural remedies that may be super helpful with controlling symptoms and fighting the disease.

Coughing and sore throat

Coughing is the most common symptom and can cause great discomfort. Excessive coughing can cause throat irritation, inflammation and redness. The best ways to fight this symptom include soothing the throat or coating it to minimize discomfort and the feeling of needing to cough.

• Bromelain: this enzyme commonly found in pineapple has anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties. It is able to break down mucus and remove it from the body while soothing a sore throat. There are bromelain supplements available or you can drink all natural organic pineapple juice, or eat pineapple. 

• Marshmallow Root: thanks to its high mucilage content, a thick and gluey substance that coats the throat, marshmallow root can help relieve a cough or sore throat. The root is also available as a dried herb or bagged tea.

• Slippery Elm: an element traditionally used by Native Americans, slippery elm is similar to marshmallow root with a high mucilage. This element should be added to tea and steeped for at least 10 minutes before drinking it.

Loss of taste and smell

The most identifiable symptom of COVID-19 is the loss of taste or smell. It can be caused by inflamed nasal cavities or blockages from excessive mucus. The best way to remedy this is to release the blockage or reduce the inflammation.

• Castor Oil: ricinoleic acid is an active component in castor oil which may help fight infections and reduces nasal passage swelling and inflammation. It has been used for years as a natural remedy for a loss of smell

• Ginger: ginger tea especially combines steam with the pungent scent to take down inflammation in the nasal passage. Ginger also is able to help reduce mucus formations blocking the airways and creating a loss of smell.

• Saline Irrigation: this is a technique commonly used by people who lose their sense of smell because of allergies or congestion. It flushes out the allergens and mucus from the nasal cavity while remaining sterile.

Nausea and vomiting

Another top symptom of COVID-19 and omicron is nausea or vomiting. Nausea and vomiting are usually caused by increased or agitated stomach acid. While it may seem harder to fight since the stomach does not have an outer passageway, there are a few natural remedies that are still able to help.

• Bread or Crackers: bread and crackers are commonly thought to absorb stomach acid, a reason many people feel nausea or vomit.

• Aroma Therapy: peppermint especially is a well-known scent meant to settle both the mind and the body, including the stomach. These scents can create a sense of freshness and help settle the bubbling you may feel in your stomach.

• Ginger: Fresh, raw ginger has been a popular remedy to treat nausea for years as it works directly on the stomach to counteract the acid that causes the uneasy feeling. You can add ginger to teas and soups to release the beneficial properties.

• Probiotics and fermented foods: often times viruses can upset your microbiome and cause an overgrowth of bad bacteria. All health starts in the gut so taking probiotics and eating fermented foods like kimchi and kombucha can restore and populate the good bacteria in your gut. 

Muscle and body aches

Muscle or body aches can occur even when people are not sick. Caused by inflammation, tension or stress, massages and rolling out the lactic acid are great for minimizing aches and pains. 

• Hot and Cold Packs: this is a more immediate relief to joint and muscle pain. Heating for 20 minutes and cooling for 20 minutes helps muscles relax and relieve tension and stiffness.

• Epsom Salt Soak: Epsom salts are meant to be absorbed by the skin and help reduce the inflammation of muscles with their high magnesium and sulfate properties, thereby reducing the aches.

• Eating High Protein Foods: foods such as chicken, beef and eggshell membranes are all high in protein and collagen. Collagen is a natural protein found in our body that supports healthy muscle growth and recovery.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea is characterized as a loose or watery stool and it is cause by bacteria or viruses such as COVID-19 and omicron. It is important to note that most people get diarrhea even when not ill, it usually lasts for 2 to 3 days.

• The BRAT Diet: Bananas, Rice, Apples and Toast. These foods have high starch and low fiber helping solidify stool. Also making sure to get your probiotics is necessary. 

• Hydration: diarrhea leads quickly to dehydration, but the gastrointestinal system needs fluids to operate so drinking lots of fluid can help fight this symptom.

These are all natural ways to fight the COVID-19 and omicron symptoms. They are a great way to start managing the symptoms before going to see a doctor in more severe cases. While we prefer holistic healthcare and, if the symptoms worsen consult with your doctor about other ways to help manage them.