Natural Cold Remedies While Pregnant

Here are some natural remedies you can try for your cold: 

Take the following supplements (with your doctor’s approval):

◦       Vitamin D: up to 10,000 IU a day until cold subsides. 

◦       Vitamin A: up to 10,000 IU a day with doctor or midwife’s approval. (Only in the form of cod liver oil)

◦       Food Based Vitamin C: About 2000 mg spread over the course of the day. 

◦       Zinc: 50mg daily for the first two days. 

◦       Selenium: The amount in your prenatal vitamin should be enough, but you could also consume two Brazil nuts a day to boost your intake.

◦       Probiotics: Double your normal daily amount. Probiotics are wonderful for mama and baby during the entire pregnancy. And after

*Food-based vitamin C is also a great natural immune booster and strengthens the placenta and bag of water.

Home Remedies for a Cold During Pregnancy:

• Garlic: in the onion family, garlic is a powerhouse against the cold during pregnancy. • Consume 1 crushed, raw garlic clove with each meal. If your cold is acute, eat 1 crushed, raw clove every 2-3 hours.

• Apple Cider Vinegar: Apple cider vinegar alkalinizes the body, and most illnesses can’t thrive in alkaline environments. It also contains good bacteria to help fight of infection.
• Mix 1-2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (preferably raw) into water or tea and drink three times a day
• Gargle apple cider vinegar to soothe a sore throat.
• Honey - Raw, local honey is antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antiseptic. Take 1 teaspoon three times a day
• Onion - Raw onion has phytochemical that help keep the respiratory tract open. Add it to your burgers/salads
• Lemon - A known antibacterial that’s rich in vitamin C, lemon also helps alkalinize the body. 
• Juice two lemons and add to a quart mason jar. Add filtered water and 1 tablespoon of raw honey and a dash of sea salt for added minerals. Drink throughout day.
• Asian mushrooms  - Maitake, shiitake, and reishi mushrooms have antibacterial and antiviral properties.
• Coconut oil - This pantry staple has antiviral, antibacterial, and anti fungal properties. Take a tablespoon or add to food
• Elderberry syrup - Many pregnant mamas have great success with elderberry syrup to relieve cough and cold symptoms. (source) It’s an immune booster that can help speed up recovery. You can often find it in the natural section of your local grocery store, or you can make your own fairly easily. Make sure if you purchase it, that there are no other herbs in the syrup. 
• Take 1 tablespoon of elderberry syrup up to four times per day.

*Stay hydrated. Stay away from caffeine because it can dehydrate you.

Other herbs

The following herbs can be helpful for cold symptoms, but should only be used in food/beverages and not in pill/supplement form during pregnancy.

•      Cayenne powder: antimicrobial, analgesic, and expectorant
•      Ginger: antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory (good for an upset tummy)
•      Thyme: antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral, expectorant, and astringent (great for respiratory infections, coughs, and upset tummy)
•      Cinnamon: antiviral and antibiotic

You should avoid the following medications while pregnant unless recommended by your doctor. They increase the risk for problems:

• aspirin (Bayer)

• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

• naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)

• codeine

• Bactrim, an antibacterial 

• all-in-one medications that target many symptoms