There’s no doubt about it: cold are just no fun. Nope, not even worth the sick day.

And here’s the thing: most over-the-counter cold medicines cover up the symptoms of a cold without helping to actually get rid of it, and therefore don’t help you get better any faster.

I don’t know about you but I don’t have time for that! I want my cold to go away and I want it to go away QUICKLY thank you very much so I can get back to my regularly scheduled programing i.e. life.

Which is why I always keep a few key immune-boosting supplements stocked in my natural medicine cabinet — they help actually cure colds naturally and quickly. 

(And of course, it’s equally important to eat well, stay hydrated, and rest up as much as possible to kick a cold quickly!)

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My Must-Have, Tried-and-True Supplements for Getting Over a Cold Quickly

Echinacea

Scientists from the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy reviewed over a dozen studies on the effects of echinacea and concluded that it can reduce the chances of catching a cold by approximately 58% and can reduce the duration of a cold by 1.4 days!

I prefer echinacea tea and this organic herbal tincture.

Elderberry Capsules

I really need to stress elderberry capsules (like these) here and not syrup since there’s a big difference: elderberry syrup is usually sweetened with honey or agave or sugar, and sugars suppress the immune system which we of course don’t want! Even if it’s just a few extra grams a few times a day, best to choose the alternate.

Elderberries work wonders for immune health and have been used in folk remedies for centuries. And there’s no wonder why: one study found that flu patients who took elderberry juice recovered more quickly than those who did not (in 2-3 days vs. 6). The doctors who conducted the study concluded: “Considering the efficacy of the extract in vitro on all strains of influenza virus tested, the clinical results, its low cost, and absence of side-effects, this preparation could offer a possibility for safe treatment for influenza A and B.”

And because of their proven medicinal value, elderberries have been included in the Mosby’s Nursing Drug Reference for the treatment of colds, flu, yeast infections, nasal and chest congestion, and hay fever.

Probiotics

Well really, I take these everyday. But with up to 80% of the immune system residing in the gut, probiotics are especially helpful in boosting immunity when under the weather.

Soil-based probiotics like this one are the gold standard in my book, though this is a more economical option. Probiotic-rich foods include kimchi, sauerkraut, kombucha, and kefir.

Vitamin C

Of course! The immune-boosting benefits of vitamin C are probably what its most well known for. This antioxidant vitamin increases the body’s production of white blood cells and antibodies that fight viruses and bacteria.

But not all vitamin C supplements are created equally. I prefer liposomal vitamin C, which is far more bioavailable and therefore a heck of a lot more bang for your buck.

Camu camu powder also acts as a single-ingredient, whole foods source of vitamin C and is a great addition to smoothies. Other good food sources of Vitamin C include red bell peppers, green bell peppers, kale, strawberries, and broccoli. (Notice how I didn’t include orange juice!? Well orange juice may be packed with vitamin C but it’s ALSO loaded with sugars, which suppress the immune system. Best to steer clear of sweet juices when under the weather.)

Oil of Oregano

Oil of oregano is a potent antibacterial but also has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a hard-hitter and powerful natural immune booster.

The oil does come in a dropper bottle, but I DO NOT recommend that — tastes awful and can irritate your mouth and lips (especially if they’re chapped from your cold!). Instead I use and recommend capsules.

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Do you have any other tried-and-true immune boosting must-haves for getting over a cold quickly?

Please share with us below in the comments!