5 At-Home Remedies Every College Student Needs to Feel Better

By Meghen Jones

As the seasons shift, it seems like your health can as well. It’s that time of year when everyone is catching the sniffles, whether it’d be from staying out at a football tailgate for your home-team or running on empty from the high demand of student life in general. Either way, getting sick in college can be detrimental in more ways than one. You will find yourself missing important lectures, falling behind on assignments, or possibly doing poorly on an exam. The worst part of being sick as a college student? Mom isn’t around to take care of you like she once was.

Prior to college, one of your parents always seemed to be available when you were feeling at your worst. As much as we hate to say it, you’re now on your own. No matter how much you might try to resist the thought of your new-found independence—at least, in this instance— the truth is that you may be the only one you can rely on when you’re feeling under the weather.

Now, there may be reasons you’re avoiding a doctor’s visit, whether it be cost, inconvenience, or fear of needles. This leaves you stuck in your off-campus apartment searching for the quickest at-home remedy. With all the information out there, you can search every corner of Google and still feel uncertain as to which ones will be the most helpful. uCribs is here to help, so say goodbye to your sniffles with 5 of our favorite at-home remedies.

Breathe Easy Respiratory Salve

Trust us, we know how aggravating it is to constantly blow your nose in class—not to mention, it’s a little embarrassing in front of your crush. Even more, you feel like a disruption to your classmates, who are trying to follow the professor’s lecture—plus, it’s not great for your attention span, either. That’s why you need Breathe Easy Respiratory Salve! This homemade salve is an all-natural alternative to Vicks VapoRub that will clear your sinuses in no time. It’s made with essential oils, like eucalyptus globulus, peppermint, and rosemary—all of which reduce nasal congestion and coughing.

Ingredients:

13 drops cypress essential oil

10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

8 drops rosemary essential oil

5 drops peppermint essential oil

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/4 ounce beeswax

Instructions:

1. Combine the coconut oil and beeswax in a glass bowl, then heat over medium heat until the beeswax is melted. Stir to combine the oil and wax. Remove from heat.
2. Add the essential oils to a clean, sterilized 2-ounce glass jar.
3. Pour in the melted oil and wax mixture.
4. Seal the jar immediately with the lid and shake gently to mix everything together.
5. Let the salve sit with the cap on until cooled and hardened.

Hibiscus and Lemon Cough Drops

It’s not uncommon for us to purchase a bag of cough drops in order to soothe a sore throat, cough, and various cold or flu-like symptoms. But, have you ever considered making homemade cough drops? This recipe for Hibiscus and Lemon Cough Drops is a uCribs’ favorite. These cough drops are made with strongly brewed hibiscus tea, fresh lemon juice, and granulated sugar. Of course, cough drops aren’t a cure, but they will calm your symptoms if you decide to ride out your virus and refrain from a doctor’s visit this time around. The hibiscus tea works hard to fight bacteria, while lemon juice loosens overall congestion. Now that you know the benefits, homemade cough drops, anyone?

Ingredients:

1 cup strongly brewed hibiscus tea

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

Juice of half a lemon

Confectioner’s sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare two mini silicone candy molds by spraying them lightly with cooking spray.
2. Combine the tea and sugar in a small saucepan and stir to dissolve the sugar. Insert a candy thermometer and bring the mixture to a boil.
3. Boil the mixture until the thermometer reads 300 degrees Fahrenheit, but do not stir.
4. Turn off the heat and add the lemon juice to the mixture.
5. Gently spoon the hot mixture into the candy molds. You must work quickly because the candy will set as it cools.
6. Allow the molds to sit in the refrigerator until they are set.
7. Un-mold the cough drops and lightly coat them with confectioner’s sugar to keep them from sticking.
8. Store the cough drops in an airtight container.

Honey Lemon Ginger Detox

When nothing seems to be “doing the trick,” dealing with your sickness can become a downright inconvenience—and a frustration. This Honey Lemon Ginger Detox, however, is a triple threat to your immune system with its nutrient-packed combination of fresh ginger, lemons, and, of course, honey. The lemons boost immunity, the ginger works to settle nausea and cold sweats, and the honey soothes a sore throat. The good thing about this remedy is that it can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for about two months. That way, you’ll save yourself the trouble of preparing it while you’re not functioning 100 percent. Who really wants to do anything when they’re feeling under the weather?

Ingredients:

2 fresh lemons

2 pieces of fresh ginger

Raw honey

Instructions:

1. Slice the lemons and ginger.
2. Place the lemon and ginger slices in a mason jar, alternating the layers of each.
3. Slowly pour honey over the lemon and ginger. Allow the honey to sink down and around the lemon and ginger slices. Fill the jar to the top with honey and seal tightly.
4. Store in the refrigerator. Over time, the mixture will start to turn into a loose jelly.
5. When you need some soothing tea, scoop 2-3 tablespoons into a mug full of hot water—be sure to scoop whole pieces of ginger and lemon. Allow the tea to steep for 3-4 minutes, then sip away once cooled.

 Pineapple Cough Syrup

Upon the first sniffle or cough, college students are typically ready to run to the local drugstore to purchase cough syrup. Why? Because no one wants to deal with being sick—especially as a busy college student. For this very reason, we recommend this homemade Pineapple Cough Syrup that’s full of the “good stuff.” Made with pineapple, honey, cayenne pepper, ginger, and lemon juice, this remedy acts as a natural anti-inflammatory that controls coughing and mucus. Best of all, its sweet flavor is tastier than the average store-bought cough syrup and worth dragging yourself out of bed for.

Ingredients:

2 thick slices of fresh pineapple, peel removed, but core intact

1 tablespoon honey

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

A thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

Juice of 1 lemon

Instructions:

1. Give the pineapple a rough chop, including the core.
2. Blend all of the ingredients in a blender until smooth.
3. Use the mixture as is or push the mixture through a mesh strainer to get a smoother syrup.
4. Store the cough syrup in the refrigerator and take it as needed.

Peppermint Steam Inhalation

Aside from the typical medicine and respiratory salves, steam inhalation is one of the most beneficial methods for treating a cold or sinus infection—add peppermint, and you’ll find the experience even more soothing than your typical steam. Yep, Peppermint Steam Inhalation is a one-way ticket to clearing your nasal passages once and for all—well, at least with this recent bout of sickness. With a combination of menthol from the peppermint and the heat of the steam, your nasal passages will open sesame, and the steam will also relieve any inflamed blood vessels. We advise you to steam no longer than fifteen minutes, but you can repeat the practice three times per day if you continue to experience symptoms.

Ingredients:

Water

3 to 7 drops of peppermint essential oil

Instructions:

1. Fill a pot with water and heat until the water is boiling.
2. Carefully pour the hot water into a large bowl and add the peppermint essential oil.
3. Turn on a timer for fifteen minutes, then drape a towel over the back of your head.
4. Shut your eyes and slowly lower your head toward the hot water until you are about 8 to 12-inches away from the water.
5. Being extremely careful to avoid making direct contact with the water, inhale slowly and deeply through your nose.

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